Ashburton Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 136561 Inspection date 06 September 2005 Inspector Susan Linda Capon

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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.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and two children aged 6 and 10 years in a house situated in the London Borough of Bromley. The whole of the property is used for childminding and there is a secure garden available for outside play. The family has one goldfish. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is registered to care for 5 children at any one time and is currently minding 10 children

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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 all on a part-time basis. The childminder makes regular use of the local amenities including a music group and local parks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children enjoy a varied range of physical activities on a regular basis which contributes to their good health. They have access to a good range of suitable equipment for climbing, jumping and sliding. The children also use the large trampoline under the direct supervision of the childminder to ensure their safety at all times. Younger children have additional opportunities for physical play through the various local groups they attend. All the children develop their self-esteem and confidence through playing together and copying one another. The children spend some of their day outdoors whenever possible and enjoy their trips to the local parks and feeding the ducks. Younger children are developing an awareness of how their body works and know when they need to eat or take a rest, for example, getting into their buggy independently when they feel tired. The children use good hygiene practices and wash their hands before and after

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Helping children to be healthy

meals, after using the bathroom and playing outdoors. Younger children are developing their understanding of why they should not put things into their mouths as "they may be dirty". They play in a safe and clean environment as the childminder follows good hygiene routines herself, providing a good role model to the children. Children receive suitable first aid treatment when they have an accident and the childminder makes a detailed record for the parents. The children wear sun cream to protect them from the sun when playing outdoors. All the children enjoy healthy, nutritious snacks and meals each day. They talk to the childminder about their favourite foods and are developing their awareness of why they should eat fresh fruit and vegetables daily. Some children bring their own meals to the provision where they are suitably stored by the childminder. All the children have readily accessible drinks of water available at all times and are discouraged

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Helping children to be healthy

from drinking fruit juices to keep their teeth healthy. Younger children and babies have a bottle of milk. Individual children with specific dietary needs have suitable foods provided, for example, one child does not have his bread buttered in his sandwich. All the children are developing their social skills and table manners as they sit together to eat their meals. The children eat suitable foods which meet their individual needs and take into account the parents' wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children play in a warm, welcoming, clean and well organised home. They have sufficient space to move around freely and play both together and alongside one another. The children explore their environment safely as the childminder has made

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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 the majority of the areas of her home and garden safe and secure. They are able to access the cleaning materials kept in an unlocked low kitchen cupboard. The childminder has not checked that her insurance covers the use of the large trampoline in the garden and she does not have written parental consent from the parents for the children to use this equipment. Young children are safe as the toys and equipment containing small pieces is inaccessible to them and stored out of their reach. The children are developing their understanding of how to keep themselves safe both inside and outdoors. They hold hands when crossing the road and older children stay in sight of the childminder at all times, particularly when they are playing in the park or visiting large venues, for example, Godstone farm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children have access to a good range of suitable, well organised resources. Younger children use suitable equipment to meet their individual needs, for example, a travel cot, and high-chair. All the home furnishings, toys and equipment the children use are clean, in good order, suitable and safe for their needs. The children are safe and secure through the childminder's sound knowledge of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children play with a wide range of appropriate, readily accessible toys and equipment on a daily basis. All the items are suitably stored, enabling the children to make their own selection and choices. They are organised well and sorted into large containers to provide variety and maintain a stimulating environment. All the children progress their development through the range of challenging activities available to them, for example, the range of puzzles includes inset to several hundred pieces. Children play imaginatively with the toys available, for example, playing with the food in the play kitchen. They are developing their language skills, leaning new words and finding out about the world through interaction with the childminder, for example, playing with the stethoscope and learning the heart makes a "boom, boom" type noise. Younger children are practising their language skills mimicking others and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

beginning to make themselves understood. They are learning print has meaning, make their own marks and enjoy looking at a book whilst sitting on the childminder's lap. Young children develop their numeric skills through counting the stairs, learn about colours when talking about the toys she is using, for example, what colour is the car. Additional visits to local parks to feed the ducks, other childminders with children of a similar age and local groups extend the children's opportunities for social interaction and development. Young children continue to maintain their daily routine for resting, sleeping, and eating to help them settle and feel safe and secure in their surroundings. All the children have a good relationship with the childminder and enjoy their time at the provision. The childminder treats all the children as her own and they feel part of the family. Older children attending after school enjoy

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

spending their time in the garden, drawing and watching the television. During the school holidays the children enjoy their outings to larger venues including the Enchanted Forest. All the children are fully included at any time, for example, young children receive help when using the slide whilst older children access the equipment independently. The children are learning to share the available equipment and play

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 co-operatively with one another. Regular praise and encouragement from the childminder builds their self-esteem and makes the children feel good about themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All the children are valued, respected and treated as individuals. The children develop their knowledge and understanding of the world and other people through the readily accessible range of suitable toys and books reflecting positive images for race, culture and disability. They visit other local amenities on a regular basis extending their understanding of the local community, for example, a local music group. Older children develop their confidence as they are fully included in decisions relating to venues for outings during the school holidays. All the children are developing their independence skills and make their own choices and selections throughout the day. The childminder gives equal time and attention to each child whilst taking into account their ages and stages of development. Children with special needs are fully included as the childminder is aware of how to manage specific needs

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and incorporates these into her provision. Younger children receive some one to one attention during the school day. All the children are settled and secure in their surroundings and feel part of the family. They have a good relationship with the childminder and the other children. All the children generally behave well and suitable strategies are in place to help manage any undesirable behaviour. Younger children are developing their understanding of the rules and respond well to the childminder as she explains why it is inappropriate to put the toys into their mouth. The children share well, take turns and play co-operatively with one another. The children develop confidence in the childminder as they observe her working closely with their parents. Parents receive good information about the setting and the policies and procedures in place, showing how the childminder will care for their child. The parents confidently go to work in the knowledge that their children will be

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Helping children make a positive contribution

well cared for at all times. Children’s individual needs are included as the childminder uses the information provided by the parents. Parents receive good daily feedback about their child's day both verbally and through a written record for younger children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are well cared for in a safe, well organised environment. They use suitable areas of the home for resting, sleeping, eating, playing and time outdoors. They benefit from the professional approach of the childminder as she continues to develop her training and update her child care knowledge and practices. The children under three years particularly benefit from the incorporation of 'Birth to three matters' into the setting providing good care for the children. The childminder's organised portfolio, photographs and well detailed records all demonstrate how she organises

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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 her business to provide suitable care for the children. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was previously required to obtain written consent from parents to seek emergency treatment. This is now part of the general contract held with each parent.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints for this provision.

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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.

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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 all cleaning materials are inaccessible to the children. • ensure parents provide written permission for their child to use the large trampoline and that the public liability insurance covers use of this equipment.

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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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