St Blasius Shanklin CofE Primary Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 139644 Inspection date 03 November 2005 Inspector Carol Newman

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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 was registered in 1992. She lives with her husband and four school aged children in Worcester Park in the London Borough of Sutton. The ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding seven children, all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the

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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 local parent/toddler group and takes children to the local park. The childminder has a cat and rabbits.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Good daily routines and gentle reminders help children understand that washing hands after visiting the toilet reduces the risk of passing on germs. The childminder follows effective hygiene procedures for nappy changing. She washes her own and the children's hands between nappy changes and she uses anti-bacterial spray to clean surfaces used for food preparation. Children are protected from infection. The family pets are outside while children are in the childminder's care and children with infectious illnesses do not attend the childminding provision. Children's minor accidents are dealt with effectively as the childminder maintains a current first aid certificate and prior parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or to administer medication is in place. Children benefit from fresh food that is prepared hygienically in a clean, suitable kitchen. They enjoy fruit snacks and healthy meals such as pasta, shepherd's pie and

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Helping children to be healthy

yoghurt. Children have regular drinks in suitable containers. The childminder understands the importance of children eating a healthy diet. Very young children are given choices at snack time in accordance with the Birth to Three Matters framework. Children enjoy regular trips to the park or they play in the garden. This contributes to keeping them healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a safe environment where most steps have been taken to minimise risks, for example door buffers, cupboard locks and most socket covers are in place. However, toys and other resources are not organised sufficiently to ensure they remain in good condition and babies and young children can access some small components that are unsuitable for them. Written parental permission for children to use the large outdoor trampoline has not been obtained. Children are not protected from leaving the premises unsupervised as the front door can be easily opened. Children are beginning to understand how to keep themselves safe and know that trailing wires may be dangerous. The childminder has thoughtful procedures for caring for three very young children and is aware of the safety issues. Children are placed in the car one at a time according to age and all children are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

within sight. However, the insurance for vehicles used for childminding does not include relevant business use. Children play happily in a welcoming environment. Parents and children are greeted

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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 enthusiastically at the door and children's art work is displayed in the kitchen to show that the children's efforts are valued. Older babies and young children select from a wide range of interesting toys that are within reach in the sitting room and kitchen. Children are interested in what is available and are well occupied. Children eat meals and snacks at a child sized table in a well ventilated environment. This contributes to their health and enjoyment at meal times. Children understand the procedure to follow in the event of a fire as this has been carefully explained to them and the children practise the routine regularly. Steps have been taken to protect children from the effects of fire, for example smoke detectors are fitted and regularly tested. Children’s welfare is assured as the childminder has an understanding of child

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

protection and of keeping children safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children aged 3 and under explore and experiment through a good range of resources that are appropriate for their stage of development. For example, the children happily manipulate play dough and name the shapes they make and they build confidently with Duplo bricks. The childminder encourages young children to express themselves effectively. Good questioning and repeating children’s responses encourages use of language. The childminder offers good support to all of the children and shares her time effectively between them. This helps to develop the children's confidence and self esteem. Children chat happily to adults and each other and willingly share their toys. Children are interested in the activities available and spend time concentrating on self-chosen activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children thrive in the childminder's home. They are treated with equal concern and their needs are promptly met. They have equal access to all the resources. These include a range of books, dolls and small world toys that reflect positive images of gender roles and different cultures. Children thrive through continuity of care and established routines as the childminder consults with parents about their individual needs. Children respond well to suitable behaviour management strategies such as distraction. An appropriate approach, according to their age and stage of development which

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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 helps children understand right from wrong. Children gain from a two way sharing of information about the childminding service. The childminder discusses the children's activities with parents on a daily basis. This ensures that continuity of care can be maintained between home and the childminding provision.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children settle happily in the childminder's suitably managed provision. They are cared for according to the written policies and procedures that are shared with parents before childminding commences. Most mandatory records are in place and confidential. This guarantees the safe and effective management of the childminding provision in order to promote children's welfare. However, some documentation relating to childminding activities is not suitably maintained or available for inspection. In particular with regard to medication records, the attendance register, contracts with parents and current criminal records bureau checks for members of the household over the age of 16 years. Younger children make satisfactory progress because the childminder has familiarised herself with the Birth to Three Matters framework and most current guidance. However, she has not attended any additional training since registration.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to consider increasing the provision of positive images of gender, race and disability. She also agreed to improve the existing accident records, to improve written parental consents to include permission to administer non-prescribed medication and to include the expectations of both parties, as to the care of the child and the activities provided, in the existing written agreements with parents. The childminder has a satisfactory range of dolls, duplo figures, playhouse figures and books to show positive images of race, culture and disability. Accident records now contain more detail about the injury and written parental consent includes permission to administer non-prescribed medication. The childminder now uses the current NCMA contracts and she speaks to the parents about what the children have done. The childminder has no written information regarding the structure of the day

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Complaints 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.

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Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Since 1st April 2004 Ofsted have not received any complaints about this provider.

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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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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 all members of the household over the age of 16 years have a current criminal records bureau check in place • ensure insurance for vehicles used when childminding includes relevant business use and make sure that the premises are secure and that children are unable to leave them unsupervised • organise toys and resources to ensure that babies and young children cannot access small components that are unsuitable for them and maintain all toys in a safe and suitable condition. Obtain written parental permission for children to use the trampoline • ensure all documentation relating to childminding activities is well maintained and available for inspection at all times, particularly with regard to medication records, the attendance register and the contracts with parents.

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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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