Cashes Green Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 115561 Inspection date 16 September 2005 Inspector Mandy Mooney

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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 since 1999. She lives with her husband and two daughters aged 15-years and 4-years, in a three bedroom house in Bexley. Areas used for childminding include the whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The house is within walking distance of local schools, shops and transport facilities. The childminder is currently caring for 1 child aged 17-months on a full-time basis, 1 child aged 13-months on a part-time basis and a 4-year-old after school and during school holidays. The childminder provides support for children with special

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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 educational needs. The family have a golden retriever dog and some fish.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after they come in from the garden and the childminder ensures the home environment is welcoming and homely. However, cleaning routines are not consistent to ensure the premises are sufficiently clean at all times. For example, there are dog hairs on the carpet and general clutter in the home. Children enjoy physical activity in the garden and out locally. They have frequent opportunities to use a satisfactory range of well maintained and age appropriate equipment, which promotes their physical skills and offers them sufficient challenge. Children are taken out to the local park and for walks to gain fresh air and take part in running, climbing and dancing. Children are provided with regular drinks and their own individual cup. The childminder ensures the children are well nourished. She provides a good range of

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Helping children to be healthy

food to meet their individual dietary needs and to promote healthy eating.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children use a sufficient range of good quality and developmentally appropriate resources. These are organised at the child's level to enable them to access them safely. Resources which could be potentially hazardous to younger children, such as glue and smaller bits of craft materials are stored higher up and older children know they can ask the childminder for these. The childminder has implemented some safety and security precautions, for example, a written procedure to follow in the event of an emergency in the home, which has been has been discussed with the children to ensure it is effective. Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own safety, for example, when crossing the road and they know the rules for when they want to use electrical equipment in the home. However, the home is somewhat disorganised and storage of equipment, such as the vacuum cleaner, child's buggy and several items at the top

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

of the stairs, pose a tripping hazard. The childminder has a sound knowledge of her responsibility in the event that a child protection concern is raised. This enables her to protect children.

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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 satisfactory. Children settle well at the childminder's house. They enter confidently and make themselves at home. They relate well to each other and socialise with other children through regular attendance at local toddler groups and by visiting friends. The childminder uses her knowledge of the individual children attending to provide a sufficient range of activities to stimulate them. The childminder doesn't plan for children, however she encourages the children to take the lead on what they want to do, for example, older children, after school, can just chill out and relax or take part in free play. She is aware of the Birth to three matters framework and uses this as guide to provide sufficient opportunities for the younger children. Children are developing their early social skills, such as turn taking and sharing and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the childminder affords appropriate support to them in their play to encourage participation. Children enjoy spontaneous experiences, such as, dancing and singing to favourite nursery rhymes. The childminder provides security and reassurance to children as she gets down to the child's level and joins in their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder welcomes all families into her home. Children benefit from the development of good working relationships between parents and childminder. The childminder respects parents views and wishes in meeting the needs of their child. Children have opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them through the activities provided. For example, by celebrating Chinese New Year and Diwali and by taking photographs of the children, which they enjoy looking at. The childminder has experience of caring for children with special needs and she demonstrates a very pro-active approach to meeting the needs of all children. The childminder sets realistic boundaries for the children and ensures that the explanations given for unacceptable behaviour are understood according to the child's age and stage of development. Strategies include 'time out' and 'distraction.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This helps them learn to negotiate with others and take responsibility for their own behaviour. She increases children’s understanding of right and wrong and they respond well to her consistent and fair approach.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children have sufficient space for active play, quiet activities, rest and relaxation. Children are able to choose their activities and toys independently. The environment is welcoming and homely, however it is somewhat cluttered. The childminder offers appropriate support to the children and encourages conversation and social skills. She has a good level of experience in childcare and a

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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 sound knowledge of the children she is caring for, this helps her provide a satisfactory range of experiences to stimulate the children. The childminder keeps appropriate records. These are stored to allow for easy access and to ensure confidentiality, however some inconsistencies in recording in medication and accident records means that required information is sometimes omitted. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last Children Act inspection the childminder agreed to keep an attendance record which includes the time of arrival and departure of children and to ensure all records relating to childminding activities are available for inspection. She has maintained a clear, written daily attendance record and all records are available for inspection. This contributes to ensuring children's well being is safeguarded.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Concerns were raised on 22/03/2005. The concerns related to National Standard 1: Suitable person, National Standard 7: Health and National Standard 12: Working in partnership with parents. An announced visit was made on 04/04/2005 by Ofsted Inspectors. No evidence was found that the National Standards had been breached. The provider agreed a recommendation to ensure that agreements made with parents are formalised in writing. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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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): • review and implement effective cleaning routines within the home to ensure good hygiene standards are maintained at all times • review and improve the storage of equipment and general organisation within

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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 home to ensure children's safety at all times • ensure the information in accident and medication records is accurate and contains the required information to fully promote children's wellbeing

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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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