South Wolds Community School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 122883 Inspection date 11 October 2005 Inspector Lindsay Ann Farenden

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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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1994. She lives with her husband and 2 adult children and 1 child aged 14 years. The childminder is also a foster carer, who cares for children on a regular basis. They live in a house in the London Borough of Sutton, close to local shops and public transport. The whole of the ground floor of the premises are used for childminding. There is a suitable garden 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 5 children at any one-time and is currently minding 2 children on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, warm home. They are helped to learn about good hygiene practice and personal care, such as washing their hands before eating. The childminder demonstrates good hygiene awareness, by washing her hands before preparing foods and after nappy changing to reduce the risk of cross contamination. Children receive nutritious meals and snacks, which help develop healthy eating habits from a young age. Children have access to drinks at all times and are encouraged to drink plenty, to prevent them getting thirsty or dehydrated. Children have opportunities to take part in a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health and physical development. They use equipment to climb, slide and play ball games when in the garden, visiting parks and at the toddler group. Children benefit from visiting parks, where they are able to run, use swings, use large

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Helping children to be healthy

play equipment and receive plenty of fresh air and exercise. Children have time to relax and be active. The childminder keeps documentation to record accidents and any medication given. This ensures that children’s health needs are met and information is shared with the parents. To protect children’s health and welfare the childminder is attending training to up date her first aid certificate and the first aid box is complete. Children are protected in an emergency situation because the childminder has written parental permission to seek emergency treatment if necessary.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to move around the home safely because the childminder has taken action to minimise risks and by making hazardous items inaccessible to them. However, children are not fully safeguarded in the garden, because the water barrel lid is not securely fitted. The risks to children outside the home are reduced, because the childminder is conscientious about ensuring children are safe on outings. For example children wear appropriate restraints and cars seats are used when children travel in vehicles. The childminder holds children’s hands when walking and talks to children about the dangers of the road. For children’s safety appropriate fire precaution equipment is fitted in the kitchen and the ground floor and the smoke alarms are in working order. However children are not fully protected because there is no smoke alarm fitted on the first floor. The childminder has a written emergency evacuation procedure in place and has

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

practised evacuation drills with the children; this helps them to understand what to do

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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 in an emergency. Children are well supervised throughout the day, due to the appropriate organisation of the childminder. Children are protected by the childminders suitable knowledge of child protection issues and procedures to take if she has concerns about a child. However she does not have the child protection procedures and contact numbers of local authority in which she lives. Children benefit from a good range of clean toys and resources appropriate to their ages and stage of development. These are set out for them to freely access and are rotated throughout the day.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are settled and confident within the childminders home and relate well to her. She plays with them and shows children warmth and affection, which contributes to their sense of belonging. Children benefit from the childminder's organisation of the play materials to meet children’s individual developmental needs and interests. As a result children spend their time purposefully and are motivated to play. They enjoy choosing from a variety of toys, books and which appeal to them and going on outings to farms, were they are able to see and touch real animals. Children are helped to develop an interest in books and singing because they enjoy looking at books, listening to stories and singing songs with the childminder. This helps to extend their language and communication skills. Children are helped to develop their fine and large motor skills within the home environment. For example, they enjoy making marks with the crayons and playing

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

with toys, which require them to push and turn buttons. Children’s large motor skills are encouraged through using a range of play equipment in the garden. Children gain social skills from attending toddler groups. They have opportunities to meet other children and adults and access further play resources, art and craft activities, story times and singing sessions. These all contribute to their enjoyment, creativity and enhances their all round development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are met well as their routines are discussed with their parents. To ensure consistency of care information is exchanged between the childminder and the parent on a daily basis, which updates them about their child’s daily routine and dietary intake. The childminder’s use of praise to reinforce positive behaviour and acknowledgements for efforts and achievements, contribute towards children’s

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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 self-esteem and confidence. They play and behave well and are encouraged to share and take turns. Children become aware of their own and other cultures through a good range of resources reflecting diversity and through a range of activities relating to different cultural celebrations. Regular trips out of the home to parks and toddler groups introduce children to the local community and the wider world. Children with special needs are currently being cared for by the childminder. To meet the children’s needs the childminder works closely with parents and other agencies involved with them. The childminder’s good understanding about appropriate types of activities and levels of support children need, helps their all round development and gives them confidence to try new skills.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and at ease within the well organised home, which helps them gain confidence and be independent. They receive the childminders full attention, as she dedicates her time to the children when they are present. The childminder makes appropriate use of contracts to invite discussions with parents about their individual needs. She then uses this information to promote the welfare and care of the children. All records are kept, which contribute to children’s health, safety and well-being and the household members over 16 years old have undergone required criminal record bureau checks. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Recommendations were imposed at the last inspection. Since the last inspection the childminder has improved documentation. She now has a system in place to record any incidents of physical restraints. There is now a sick children policy in place, which is shared with parents, this helps to protect children from the spread of infection. The childminder now obtains prior written consent to administer medication, this helps to ensure children receive the correct dosage according to their needs. She has obtained parental written permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment, which helps to protect children in an emergency medical situation. Therefore children's well-being and safety are protected.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints to report. 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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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): • make sure the lid on water barrel in the garden is made secure and to improve fire safety, ensure a smoke alarm is fitted on the first floor

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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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