Halstow Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 143597 Inspection date 13 October 2005 Inspector Hilary Turner

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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

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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.

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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.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

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

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered for 18 years. She lives with her husband and four children in a maisonette in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The premises are situated within walking distance of local bus routes and Hammersmith station is in close proximity. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children under 8 years. Currently there are 4 children on roll, who attend on both a part and full-time basis. The minded children have access to the living room, playroom, hallway and kitchen

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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 for their activities, meals and resting. There is a secure garden to the rear of the property for outdoor play The family have no pets. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a healthy diet and are offered regular drinks throughout the day. Children enjoy varied and nutritious meals and snacks most of which are provided by the childminder in agreement with parents. These take into account special dietary requirements to ensure children remain healthy. The children are happy in the warm and welcoming environment. The childminder has appropriate hygiene procedures in place; however, these are not always consistently applied. Which means children are not fully protected from the risk of infection within the setting. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate that ensures children receive appropriate first aid treatment, and they are well protected from illness as they do not attend if they are unwell. Frequent use of the outdoor area and outings to local parks and groups ensures children experience regular physical activity that promotes their physical development

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are protected from harm and they are able to explore freely as the childminder has taken steps to make her home safe. For example, a stair gate prevents children's access to the stairs and fire equipment is readily available. They are able to feel relaxed and at home as space has been well organised to meet their individual needs. For example, they eat, rest and play comfortably. Suitable and well maintained equipment is readily available to meet the children's individual needs such as, sleeping facilities, high chair, potty and toilet step. Children’s welfare is adequately protected as the childminder has a good understanding of potential signs and symptoms of abuse, however she is less secure in her knowledge of the procedures to follow in the event of reporting an allegation of abuse.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 provision is good. The childminder knows the children well, she provides a flexible daily routine the children are familiar with, which meets their individual needs. As a result children are secure and settled. They are making good progress in their development, as they choose to play with an excellent selection of toys and equipment which are attractively arranged in three rooms. The atmosphere is very relaxed, older children are busy and younger children are sometimes included in their play. At other times children spend time concentrating on individual activities. For example, a three year old enjoys using her imagination as she chooses to dress up from a lovely selection of well presented dressing up clothes. The childminder spends lots of time playing and talking with the children which helps

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their early language skills. For example, she sits on the floor reading stories encouraging them to join in. The baby looks to her for comfort and reassurance and enjoys the warmth and affection of the childminder as snuggles up on her lap. Children's overall experiences are widened as the childminder takes them out regularly to toddler groups, and parks. Here they are developing their social skills, enjoying the company of other children and have opportunities to explore new activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued as their individual needs are met by the childminder. They are generally well behaved as the childminder has effective strategies in place to manage children's behaviour positively, appropriate to their age and level of understanding. The childminder provides clear consistent boundaries so children know what is expected of them. Lots of praise and encouragement is given for wanted behaviour; and children are beginning to learn to share and take turns. Children are developing positive images of themselves and others as they play with toys and resources such as, dolls, books and puzzles. But because the childminder lacks knowledge about issues relating to equal opportunities children's learning about the wider world is limited. Children's welfare and development is promoted because the childminder ensures that she shares information with parents about their child's routine, interests and

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are able to feel relaxed and at home in the well organised environment. They happily settle in the warm and comfortable home and children feel secure in their surroundings. The childminder is warm and affectionate towards the children who are very happy in her care. They benefit from the good routine which enables

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Organisation

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 childminder to provide a high level of support and to maximise the time she spends playing with the children. They enjoy outings to the park and toddler groups where they are able to socialise with other children and widen their play experiences. Children's overall care, learning and play is promoted as sound information about the children's individual needs is gathered from parents. As a result the children are cared for in accordance with their parents wishes. A well organised, detailed portfolio is shared with parents. Which includes, training certificates, first aid and public liability insurance certificate. This provides parents with further reassurance in the quality of care their children receive and supports good working relationships with parents. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection two actions and two recommendations were raised. The actions were to make knives and sharp implements inaccessible to children and attend a certificated first aid training course for infants and young, these have both been successfully addressed, knives are inaccessible to children and the childminder holds a valid first aid certificate. The recommendations were; develop knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures, particularly those to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against the childminder or another member of the household, and request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. Following the inspection the childminder attended child protection training, although she recognises further training is required in order to become fully confident in the reporting procedures and is booked to go on another child protection course. Written

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Improvements since the last inspection

permission has now been obtained from all parents for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment. Overall children's safety and welfare has improved.

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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 complaint record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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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 sound hygiene practices are consistently applied to minimise the risk of infection to children • develop knowledge and understanding of the child protection procedures to follow in the event of reporting an allegation of abuse • increase knowledge and understanding of equal opportunity issues • implement a complaint log for the recording of any complaints made by parents relating to the National Standards.

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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

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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

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