Windsor Park CE Middle School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 144007 Inspection date 31 October 2005 Inspector Patricia Ann Edward

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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 1987. She lives with her three children, two adults and one school aged, in the London Borough of Lambeth. The whole ground floor and the first floor bathroom and toilet are areas of the childminder’s house that are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children at any one time and is currently minding 1 child under 8. The childminder collects and takes children to and from local schools. The childminder attends local toddler groups.

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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 The family have a large tank containing Syclids fish in the living room. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are nurtured in a warm, tidy and clean environment, where they learn the importance of hygiene and personal care. They learn through daily routines that include washing hands before meals and after toileting. Children are protected from the spread of cross-infection because the childminder has appropriate knowledge and follows suitable procedures with parents to ensure sick children do not attend. Children have access to a sufficient range of activities that contribute to their physical development. They have daily opportunities to take part in physical activities, such as visits to local 1 o'clock clubs and accessing the garden, weather permitting. Children are provided with balanced meals that are prepared by parents. Children have access to juice and drinking water throughout the day. Children’s individual dietary needs are recorded and met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to sufficient areas of the premises which are kept secure and to an appropriate standard. Although the childminder identifies and minimises risks to children, most areas of the premises are safe. However, lower cupboards in the bathroom and kitchen area contain hazardous materials that would impact on children’s health. Children are protected well outside the home. Younger children are strapped into buggies, older children hold hands and the childminder teaches older children about road safety. For trips further afield she uses wrist bands which detail her name and mobile number. Children are effectively supervised throughout the day due to the organisational skills of the childminder. Children's safety in the event of a fire is ensured because the childminder has devised an appropriate written evacuation procedure. However, it has not been practised with the children. They are further protected because the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder has appropriate knowledge of the procedure to follow if she has child protection concerns about a child in her care. The childminder also has knowledge of Local Authority procedures and local telephone numbers. Children have limited opportunities to select age-appropriate toys and equipment, which offer challenge and develop their concentration, imagination and language.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are confident and settled within the childminder's home. They have sufficient opportunities to engage in a variety of activities which the childminder selects. The resources available offer some challenge and contribute to their enjoyment and learning. However, children have limited opportunities to become more liberated by accessing and choosing activities which develop their independence. Children show pleasure when playing with some of the resources on offer. Nonetheless, their play could be further enhanced with more opportunities to engage in activities without distractions from the television. Children have opportunities to extend their social skills through weekly attendance at local playgroups and 1 o’clock clubs. Children are not fully supported in their play and learning because the childminder does not question children fully, or join in and extend their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to a range of resources that begin to support their understanding of diversity, for example, resources that reflect positive images of race and gender. The childminder celebrates and acknowledges a number of cultural festivals throughout the year with the children. For example, Black history month and Diwali. However, children lack opportunities to access resources that reflect the wider community, such as disabilities. Children are respected as individuals and their needs are effectively met by the childminder, who works closely with the parents to get to know the children. The childminder ensures she gives verbal feedback to parents on a daily basis detailing their children’s development. The childminder has experience of caring for children with speech and language delay. Children are sufficiently well behaved and are encouraged by the childminder to learn

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are comfortable within the provision and have sufficient space in which to play. This is because the childminder organises her home to ensure that the maximum amount of space is always available.

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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 Children’s safety, wellbeing and health is sufficiently supported and monitored by the childminder because all the required documentation is maintained and in order. Systems are in place for exchanging verbal information with parents on a daily basis, which keeps them informed about their children's development and the care that is provided. The childminder has a knowledge of Birth to Three Matters, however, she has not completed any training. Overall, 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 inspection a number of recommendations were made in relation to resources, their organisation and availability. Also, to increase the interaction with children to develop their language and imagination. The childminder has purchased some resources to ensure children have access to equipment that promotes equality of opportunity. She sets up a small number of activities for children to access, however children are still unable to self select from a wider selection. Although the childminder has a good relationship with the children she still does not spend sufficient time interacting with the children to develop their speech, imagination and play.

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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 complaints 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

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):

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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 • ensure hazardous materials in lower bathroom and kitchen cupboards are made safe or inaccessible and practice emergency evacuation procedure with children. • ensure that more time is spent talking and playing with children to develop their language and imagination. Use the television in an effective way to support children's learning and increase children's opportunities to self select resources. • ensure children have access to a range of activities and resources that reflect anti-discriminatory practice, which include disabilities.

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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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