Avonbourne Girls Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 138193 Inspection date 10 February 2006 Inspector John Edwin Warren

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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 a registered childminder for 13 years. She lives with her husband in a 2-bedroomed terraced house in the Merton Abbey area. The premises are within walking distance to shops, parks, bus and tube routes. The areas used for childminding include all rooms on the ground floor and first floor spare bedroom and bathroom . The master bedroom is not used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a pet cat which is kept in a safe and hygienic manor.

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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 childminder currently has three children on the roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from support of a childminder who responds to their individual needs. Children's individual eating and sleeping patterns are respected. Subsequently children's well-being is fostered. Children have their own dietary requirements met through good sharing of information between parents and childminder. The childminder carefully records this information so that children with allergies are never mistakenly given food that will not be agree with them. Children eat at their own pace at mealtimes, developing their independence and confidence. Young children are confidently helping themselves to drinks when they are thirsty. The childminder encourages children to increase their fluid intake after they have been exercising or the weather is hot. Children benefit from daily exercise. Outings to local parks where children may use the large apparatus to develop their physical skills. They enjoy the experience of

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Helping children to be healthy

playing outside in all weather conditions. The childminder ensures they remain healthy by clothing them appropriately. Children are washing their hands before meals and after using the bathroom. The children are protected from infection by exclusion periods if they become unwell. However, there is no written policy to inform parents of this procedure. Children who require medication are given the correct dosage, because of a clear recording policy. Children are set good a role model by the childminder who has good hygiene practices. For example, always washing hands after changing nappies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in an environment where they are able to easily choose their own play and learning experiences. Equipment provided for the children is suitable for their age and stage of development consequently children's risk of coming to harm using them is kept to a minimum. Children are staying safe because the childminder reminds them of the consequences of their actions. For example, a child walks towards the gate and is at risk of banging her head. The childminder asks her to be careful and informs her of how she may hurt herself. The child understands and moves away. Any accidents that occur are recorded and countersigned by parents. Children's risk of having an accident in the same are again are kept to a minimum because the childminder takes action to prevent them. Children are prevented from coming to harm because gated prevent them from accessing hazardous areas, for

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

example, the stairs. Fire safety notices are displayed within the home, however fire drills are not practiced by the children. Children are also protected from harming themselves outside the home. She takes them parks where they are familiar with the apparatus. Children are also reminded to stay in close proximity so that she can

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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 supervise them. Children remain safe from harm by others because she has a satisfactory knowledge of the child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are interested and eager to explore all of the play and learning opportunities provided for them. Children are well supported by a childminder who listens and responds to the children's needs. Effective questioning encourages the children to expand and explore fully on each activity. Children enjoy creative play, they invite they childminder to and other children to join in with their imaginary play games. Young children are acting out simple story lines, for example, they fill a shopping trolley with play food and walk it around the room handing the food out to others as they go. Children make marks with a variety of mediums at the provision and local toddler groups. Children also enjoy experimenting with other tactile experiences, for example play dough. Children choose books independently and call for the childminder to look through them. Children have an understanding of the story and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

smile or laugh at their favourite parts. Children are very adept at the problem solving skills, they spend time concentrating and experimenting with puzzles and sorting boxes until they are complete. Positive praise for their efforts and achievements ensures they spend time a good amount at the activity. Children enjoy going on outings to places of interest to them; the farm, toddler groups, soft play centres and swimming. Children's play is able to flow without interruption because the childminder understands that children do not always require direction. Consequently children do not become frustrated as they are able to complete their games in their own way.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are choosing equipment that is of interest to them and regardless of gender. Subsequently children have no fixed stereotypes, for example, girls play happily with cares. Children have access to some positive images of gender and ethnicity. However, these are limited and are few positive images of disability. Children's behaviour is generally good and children respond to positive praise and guidance given. Yet there are occasions when the management of children's behaviour is not fully complied with. For example, a child walks around the room with her snack, the childminder asks the child to sit, but the child protests and carries on walking. After several attempts the child is allowed to walk with the food. She is not currently caring for children with special needs, however she has some past experience and is willing to work in partnership with parents to meet the children's needs. Children benefit

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Helping children make a positive contribution

from good partnerships between the childminder and parents. Parents are kept well informed verbally about the progress their child is making at the provision. Written agreements that outline the business and childcare arrangements ensure consistency of care for each individual child.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's need are met through generally effective organisation. Daily attendance records are kept clearly and up-to-date. An up-to-date complaints procedure is in place giving the parents the opportunity to express and concerns they have. Children benefit from the support of a childminder who endeavours to enhance her care by attending training courses. Records of children's information is recorded carefully, enabling the childminder to take quick and effective action. Parents are consulted with at the time of interview and on a regular basis to ensure the childminder has the most current information on the children. Permission is sort in several areas; for outings, so that the children can experience play opportunities beyond the provision of the childminders and for emergency medical attention, so that children receive the most effective course of treatment. Some polices and procedures have been

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Organisation

developed, however they lack detail and clarity in some areas. Nonetheless the policies are acceptable and appropriate steps are taken by the childminder to protect the children, promote their well-being and support their development. The childminder organises her day so that the majority of her time is spent working face to face with the children. 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 the childminder was given several recommendations. She was asked to seek permission for emergency medical treatment and obtain consent for medication. These recommendations have been fully met. A recommendation to improve safety has also been completed children now do not have access to any electrical sockets. However, recommendations to develop a policy on sickness and increase resources that promote anti discriminatory practice have not been fully completed.

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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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • devise and implement a sick child policy, which is shared with parents • ensure fire drills are practiced and evidence of these are recorded. • ensure the behaviour management policy is reviewed • ensure that children have access to a range of activities that promote positive images of gender, ethnicity, culture and 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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