St John's Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School, Lemsford

Inspection report for early years provision

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117435 Unique Reference Number 27 June 2008 Inspection date Juliet Eileen Hartridge Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 1987. She lives with her husband, her father and her son in Plymouth, Devon. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and although there is no access to an outdoor garden, children are taken regularly to local parks. The childminder is able to offer out of school care to children attending local schools. She is registered to care for up to six children under the age of eight and is currently caring for three children under the age of eight.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are suitably well protected from the risks of cross infection as hygienic nappy changing routines are followed and the childminder carefully washes her hands after disposing of the nappy. They have their own towels to dry their hands. The childminder's first aid certificate is not current, however the childminder is aware of how to deal with an emergency situation should it arise with the children, until she completes the first aid training which she has booked.

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children have regular and beneficial opportunities to exercise and develop their physical skills during regular walks to the park where they can run and play.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have a balanced diet, as the childminder provides them with a varied snack lunch of sandwiches and fresh fruit, and she is aware of what constitutes a healthy diet. Children are offered regular drinks during the day. However, although the childminder is aware of children's dietary needs, children are not fully safeguarded as this is not recorded. Other documentation to support children's health is in place, including accident and medication records.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's safety is reasonably well protected, as there are safety precautions, such as a fire guard and stair gate in place and cleaning materials in the kitchen are stored out of reach of children, and the home is securely locked. The childminder has public liability insurance. Children are reasonably protected from the hazards of fire as the fire blanket is appropriately installed, however the childminder has not practised her fire evacuation plan. There is a varied range of suitable toys close to hand for the children to choose and play with indoors, and children's safety is suitably promoted when they are out and about. This is because the childminder ensures that the children are securely strapped into buggies or wear reins, and roads safety is discussed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm as the childminder is aware of her responsibility to safeguard the children in her care. She is aware of the importance of seeking professional help regarding safeguarding concerns, however, she is not up-to-date with current guidance and procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children are happy and confident, and enjoy being in the childminder's home, which is a friendly, relaxed and welcoming family environment, where they benefit from opportunities to interact with other children as well as family members of all ages. The childminder talks to the children and encourages their developing skills as they play with a suitable variety of toys, such as posting shapes or assembling bricks and hiding. Older children enjoy art and craft activities and play dough, as well as puzzles and games. The childminder is warm and affectionate and chats to children as they play to develop their language, and babies are encouraged to join in when they sit on the floor nearby with toys to explore or laugh as they watch the older children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a suitable awareness of the interests and stages of development of the children she cares for, and encourages their development by ensuring they have their favourite activities to play with. Children are well behaved and the childminder helps their confidence by praising them when they have done well, or shared their toys nicely. The childminder works closely with the children's parents and carers, and discusses the details of their children's day when they are collected, she is friendly and supportive towards the children's families and this approach helps the children to feel secure. Most documentation is in place to support effective communication and to ensure children are cared for according to the wishes of their parents

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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 and carers, including contracts and information about the children's doctors as well as alternative contact numbers.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are suitably well cared for as the childminder has a reasonably organised approach regarding sufficient documentation to support the needs and welfare of the children. This includes a clearly recorded register of attendance and her registration certificate is clearly displayed. The play environment is homely and welcoming, and children have sufficient space to move around in the play area. Appropriate supervision is maintained because of the arrangement of the open play living and kitchen area, and the childminder carefully ensures that appropriate ratios are maintained.

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Organisation

The childminder has a satisfactory approach regarding training and updating her knowledge to benefit the children she cares for, although she has had difficulty accessing first aid training.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children she cares for.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was given several actions to improve. She was asked to ensure all persons over the age of 16 undertake checks and ensure that a current first aid certificate is maintained, as well as improve her knowledge of regulatory requirements. The additional member of the household is currently undergoing checks, the childminder has arranged first aid training and she has made some progress regarding developing her knowledge of regulatory requirements.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to ensure all records relating to childminding activities are readily accessible, including register, medication and accident records as well as details of all children cared for, and to display her registration certificate. These records are all in place and available for inspection. These completed actions have resulted in an overall improvement of the safety and welfare of children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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

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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 that records of special dietary requirements are recorded • develop knowledge and understanding of current safeguarding procedures, and practise the fire evacuation plan.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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