Easington Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 138075 Inspection date 19 January 2006 Inspector John Edwin Warren

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

p.2

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1996. She lives with her husband and daughter aged 12. Their house is situated on the Morden/Sutton Border area of Merton. There are local shops, park and playgroup within a few minutes walk. All rooms are used for childminding except the main bedroom. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The family have 2 cats a hamster and goldfish as pets. The childminder takes the children out each day and attends a local childminder drop

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 in centre. She is a member of the National Childminders Association and the Merton childminders Association. She is also a specialist childminder for Merton Social Services. She currently has three children on the roll.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from daily exercise whilst in the care of the childminder. They enjoy outdoor play in the garden and at local parks. Children are also given the opportunity to exercise their bodies within the home with regular singing and dancing times. Children respond well to the support given to them by the childminder during these sessions and are very enthusiastic and reluctant to stop when asked. Children are given opportunities to develop their large physical skills and meet the challenge of large apparatus through numerous outings to parks and soft play centres. Children's risk of becoming unwell at the childminders is kept to a minimum because a clear and very robust sickness procedure that is shared with the parents. If children become unwell whilst at the provision their contact with the other children is kept to a minimum until the parent arrives. Children are happily washing their hands after using

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

the bathroom and before snacks. They have a basic awareness of why they must do this, they also know that they must wash their hands after handling animals. Fruit and drink is available to the children at all times. They have a good understanding of their basic needs and are taking drinks when required. They are also asking for fruit. Children are provided with a balanced diet. This also meets their individual dietary requirements and the parental wishes. Children are provided with the opportunity to make healthy choices at lunch time. Children participate in lunch preparation, subsequently, developing their independence skills and knowledge of healthy eating. Children have knowledge of how to maintain a healthy body. For example, whilst children are making lunch they talk to each other about teeth cleaning and why it is important.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to play freely in a very child centred environment. Creative work that they have completed is displayed prominently on the walls at their level. Children therefore feel at home in the provision and have a sense of ownership. The home is comfortable and a very good standard of hygiene is maintained throughout. Children are confidently choosing their own play and learning experiences from containers that are easily accessible to them. The equipment provided for them is suitable for their age and stage of development. Children benefit from equipment that is safe to use and will offer them a challenge. The childminder checks the equipment for safety on a regular basis. Children remain safe even in the event of a crisis, for example, there are clear fire safety procedures that are practice on a regular basis. Children are able to play freely in a garden area that is secure and checked for any hazards regularly.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children remain safe on outings with the childminder. She ensures that the children

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 are familiar with risks at any new play centres or parks. Children are also reminded to take responsibility for their own safety and the consequences of their actions if they do not. She also ensures they are well supervised. Children are also well supervised within the home, however there are times when children can access the stairs without close supervision. Children are protected from harm by others because of the childminder's good knowledge of the child protection procedures. She is confident and aware of what action she must take if she has a concern.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are enthusiastic and eager to play and explore each activity fully. They especially enjoy creative play opportunities. For example, children were involved in a sticking activity, they made crocodiles and fitted them with eyes and teeth. They received positive support from the childminder who allowed them to create without being to directive. Children respond well to the praise given to them and the effective questioning of the childminder. Children play co-operatively when supported by the childminder. They ask questions of their friends and reflect on recent activities. All children enjoy books and stories being read to them by the childminder. Older children are starting to predict what happens next in new stories and are able to recall familiar stories. Children enjoy singing with the childminder, for example, they request songs and actions rhymes such as 'Row your boat'. They are confident as

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

they sing and invite younger children to learn the songs and join in the game. Children benefit from being taken on local outings to toddler groups and parks. They have access to a greater range of play experiences that will offer them new challenges. Children are also taken on an excellent range of outings that are of interest to them. For example, children were looking through a photo album and recalling trips to farms, zoos and commons. They spoke with joy about the days and what they had learnt on the outings, one example was kite flying. The childminder has a good knowledge of where all the children are developmentally and is able to provide activities that move them onto the next stage of development.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have equality of access to all equipment regardless of gender. Their choices are respected by the childminder, for example, one boy wanted to choose the pink playdough as this was his favourite colour. Children have access to many positive images of ethnicity, culture, gender and disability. Children also have the opportunity to be involved in a variety of activities that celebrate festivals different from their own. Although not currently caring for children with special needs she does have experience. She has worked in close partnership with parents and professionals in order to meet the needs of the children. Children's behaviour is generally good, however there were some incidents of challenging behaviour. The childminder dealt with these incidents extremely well. She was sensitive to the children's needs and

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 worked according to their age and stage of development. Children benefit from a partnerships with parents that are valued by the childminder. Parents receive written and verbal feedback on a daily basis. This allows the parents to review the day with their children when they return home and informs them about their child's well being. However procedures provided for them in the event of them wishing to make a complaint has not up to date.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is enhanced by good organisation. The childminder organises her day so that the majority of her day is spent working face to face with the children. Children are able to settle quickly into the provision because of robust procedures. Parents are asked to provide the childminder with a pen picture of their child, informing her of their likes and dislikes. She uses this information to enable the transition from home into a new setting to be a pleasant one. The childminder attends training on a regular basis that will enable her to enhance the good standard of care already being offered. New parents are shown a basic induction pack that informs them of the activities their child may be involved in. It also outlines the benefits of these activities. Documentation that allows the childminder to offer the best possible care in the absence of their parents is clear and up to date. For example, permission

p.5

Organisation

to use sun cream to protect them from sunburn. Documentation that supports the smooth running of the provision and keeps children safe is well maintained. There are written agreements with all parents that outline the business and childcare arrangements. This ensures that good relationships are maintained at all times and allow consistency of care for the child. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to update police checks and acquire a copy of the child protection guidelines. Checks have now been updated and are complete. She has acquired a copy of the local child protection procedures and attended further training in this area.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that complaints procedures are reviewed and brought up to date • ensure children do not have unsupervised access to the stairs

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.6