By Brook Valley CofE Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 138112 Inspection date 07 November 2005 Inspector Pauline King

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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 1996 and is working as a joint childminder. The childminder lives with her husband, two adult daughters and an 11 and 5 year old. They live in a house in the London Borough of Merton within walking distance of schools, shops and parks. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, supervised access to the bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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 is registered to care for a maximum of four children when minding alone. When childminding jointly with another registered childminder together can care for up to six children. At present, there are 10 children on roll and the childminders care for 6 children on different days per week. The family have two cats. The childminder attends local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and cared for in a clean and well organised home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care, through following the childminder's good hygiene routines. Their clear understanding of why they must wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet reduces the risk of cross infection. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet because the childminder provides nutritious and healthy cooked meals that ensure their dietary needs are met throughout the day. Children taken out regularly to park, library and other children centres which contributes to their good health and physical development. Children's health needs are effectively met by the childminder who keeps clear and accurate records about health issues and shares these with parents. Although children's well being in the event of an accident is not fully protected because the childminder's first aid

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play freely around the home and independently choose activities from a wide range of good quality toys and play materials. Children's choice of toys is effectively monitored by the childminder to ensure children's independent choice is appropriate for their age and stage of development. For example the childminder extends children's language through looking at book naming pictures. Children are protected because the childminder has effective safety equipment in place and regular, well organised routines to risk assess the premises, equipment and resources for safety. Children's safety is further assured because the childminder has a emergency evacuation plan. However, this is not practiced and the smoke alarms have not been maintained in working order. The childminder has a knowledge

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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 of child protection issues, knows what to do if she has a concern and all the required procedures and documents to ensure children's welfare is safe guarded. For example, the childminder has a satisfactory understanding of child protection procedures in line with local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and confident at the childminder's house because the childminder organises play time around the routines of the day. For example children waiting for their lunch sing rhymes and they discuss the food on their plate. They relate well to the childminder because she encourages children in their activities and gives praise and support enabling children's confidence to develop. They socialise well with each other and have opportunities to socialise with other children when taken out to the local park and other children centres. Children gain confidence in their own abilities and enjoy a good variety of interesting activities, choosing toys and play materials independently, selecting toys they find interesting and enjoyable, when finished with putting toys back on the shelves. Children are well occupied and busy throughout the day because the childminder changes resources and activities; ensuring children's interest is maintained.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's play is encouraged and extended well by the childminder, for example the children looking at a poster and naming why they like the people and what they were doing. Children show pleasure when playing with different play materials. Children's early learning is well supported by the childminder because she listens and responds to children's questions and joins in their play. Children are confident to try new skills, set their own limits and know when to ask for help through provision of appropriate and good level of support from childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and their individual needs are met because the childminder spends time getting to know the parents and children well. She works closely with parents, which ensures children experience consistent care which meets their individual needs. For example children's paintings and creative work is displayed on the walls around the play room. Children behave well and show increasing independence, for instance when they choose toys and play materials. Children's self esteem is raised by good use of praise and encouragement from the childminder. The childminder uses age appropriate strategies to deal with negative behaviour. Children have access to the full range of activities offered and the childminder makes sure resources are available that promote a positive view of the wider community. This means children learn to acknowledge and accept differences.

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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 good. The children feel at home and at ease with the well organised environment. Children's confidence and independence is well supported by the childminder's documentation, organisation and daily routine, children and their parents know what to expect. Children have sufficient space because the indoor and outdoor environment is well organised to make the most of the available space for children's play opportunities and care needs. The childminder keeps all of the required records that contribute to children's health, safety and well-being. She regularly shares them with parents, which keeps them well informed about the care that is provided. The setting meets the need of the range of children for whom it provides. Appropriate checks for suitability were carried out at registration.

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Improvements since the last inspection

All previous recommendations have been addressed.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 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): • maintain a current First Aid certificate • ensure smoke alarms maintained in working order

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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 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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