Derrymount School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 122949 Inspection date 08 September 2005 Inspector Catherine Greenwood

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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 1995. She lives with her husband and adult child in a first and second floor maisonette within walking distance of commons, parks, shops, train stations and bus routes. The first floor and one bedroom is used for childminding. The childminder does not have access to an outside area, however there are two large commons located near to the premises. The childminder attends a local toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from outside play on a daily basis when the childminder takes them to two of the local commons, where they like to play in the sand. They develop physical skills on the slide, swings and climbing frame, and enjoy playing hide and seek in an enclosed area. Children have food provided by the childminder and parents, which includes fresh fruit. They develop independence as they help themselves to drinks throughout the day in beakers or cups according to their age. Children follow good hygiene practice because the childminder makes sure that children wash their hands after using the toilet and before meals. However, they are not protected from cross-infection because the childminder currently changes nappies in the kitchen. The childminder has not completed first-aid training or updated the contents of the first aid box, therefore children are at risk if they require

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe because the childminder has taken action to ensure all equipment and rooms used by the children are safe, for example she has fitted a safety gate on the stairs and accompanies them to the toilet on the lower level of the home. This means that children are able to move around independently between the sitting room and hallway to access the play equipment located in baskets directly outside the kitchen. Children are protected from risk of fire, because the childminder has thought through an evacuation procedure and regularly checks the smoke alarms. The childminder maintains children's safety outside the home, because she makes sure they hold her hand when crossing the road, or hold onto the buggy. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted, and has a secure understanding of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy playing together and have very good relationships with each other. They play very co-operatively as a group on the carpet, concentrate well, and make good use of the available toys. Children have the opportunity to develop independence through choosing their own toys, although the childminder does not actively encourage them to do so, or join in their play. The range of play equipment and activities is limited, and is not sufficiently varied or challenging for all the children. Children feel good about themselves because the childminder praises them for their achievements, for example when they show her what they have made out of Lego. Younger children benefit from daily outings to local playgroups, toddler groups and

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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 one o' clock clubs, where they enjoy using the stimulation room with lights and calming music. Babies and toddlers enjoy going to a singing and music group where they listen to stories and play with musical instruments. Children develop an enjoyment for books, because once a week the childminder takes them to the local library for story telling sessions. Children are happy and occupied, and spontaneously sing songs that they know whilst they are playing. Older children show confidence with talking to the childminder, for example about people within their own lives, although the childminder does not use these opportunities to enter into conversation with children or extend their learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled, happy and confident with making themselves at home. They are calm and relaxed and enjoy each others company, for example they spontaneously sing songs that they know whilst they are playing. However, there are too few resources for children to develop a wider view of the world and increase their awareness of diversity and understanding of others. They are very well behaved because the childminder discusses and agrees methods she uses with parents, and ensures that children know the boundaries and expectations when they are in her care. This provides continuity of care for the children, who benefit from other information that the childminder exchanges with parents such as children's progress, and any change of arrangements, for example when children start school. Children's individual needs are well met, because the childminder follows their normal daily

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Helping children make a positive contribution

routine. The childminder is not currently looking after any children who have special needs but is happy to do so.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home and at ease with the well organised environment. This means they are confident to initiate their own play when using the toys on the floor in the sitting room. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare and care of children, for example through the use of contract agreements with parents. The childminder keeps accurate records of the children's attendance and ensures that she meets the required adult/child ratio's, however, she has not displayed her registration certificate for parents to see. 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 asked to complete first-aid training to improve the health care of the children, make the stairs safe, and ensure there is sufficient equipment to meet the needs of the children. The childminder has not completed the first-aid training but is committed to doing so.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 She has improved the children's safety by fitting a safety gate which prevents them having unsupervised access to the stairs, and has provided a small table and chairs for children to use for activities.

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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): • complete first aid training in infants and young children, update the first aid kit, and improve nappy changing arrangements to prevent cross infection. • improve the range of activities and play equipment for children so it is sufficiently challenging and varied, and ensure children's learning is extended through appropriate questioning and conversation and joining in their play. • improve the range of accessible resources that reflect positive images of race, culture, gender and disability.

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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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