Weston Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 138068 Inspection date 20 February 2006 Inspector Christine Stimson

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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 1993. She lives with her husband and 3 children, aged 18, 16 and 8 years old. The premises are situated in New Malden which is in the London Borough of Kingston. All areas are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children at any one time and is currently minding 4 children on a part time basis. The childminder runs and attends a local parent/toddler group on a regular basis. The family keeps fish in an outside pond which is protected with a guard.

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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 a member of the local childminding association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health and welfare are supported as the childminder holds a first aid qualification, keeps a referral list of infectious diseases and has written consent from parents to take their children to seek emergency medical advice. However, she does not maintain a first aid box and this compromises children's health. The childminder maintains well kept accident records and ensures parents are informed of any accidents children may have whilst in her care. She also keeps details of any medication given to children and ensures written consent from parents is obtained first. This supports children's health and wellbeing. Children receive a wide range of food and regular drinks whilst in the childminder's care. They consume healthy, nutritious snacks and light meals each day, based on a two week rotating menu that is available for parents to see. The childminder encourages children's independence during meal times by giving them cutlery to hold

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Helping children to be healthy

from a young age, supporting them as they attempt to feed themselves. The childminder ensures children have opportunities to enjoy physical play activities whilst in her care. They regularly play on sit and ride toys both inside and outside in the garden, and cushions are occasionally strewn on the floor in the playroom for children to engage in tumble time. Children practise their fine motor skills as they use chalks, crayons, glue sticks and scissors during art and craft activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's health and welfare is considered by the childminder who ensures they play in a clean, well maintained and secure environment. The childminder takes precautions to prevent accidents, for example, all accessible kitchen cupboards have child locks and all accessible sockets have covers. Children play with a range of good quality toys that are well maintained, with regular checks by the childminder for breakages or soiled items. Toys are rotated to give children maximum choice, maintaining their interest and providing challenge. Children are able to play in a garden that has secure fencing and where garden sheds are kept locked. The childminder takes children on outings, where they are taught how to keep safe whilst out walking and learn how to cross roads safely. Children's wellbeing is supported as the childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues. This ensures that concerns the childminder may have about a child

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

are dealt with in an appropriate manner.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children respond enthusiastically to the activities that are provided by the childminder each day. For example, one child spent some time doing a large floor puzzle on a board, when he had finished he wanted to do some more and the childminder responded by giving him two further puzzles that presented challenge. Children attend a regular toddler group where they socialise with other children and learn to take turns and join in group activities. The childminder encourages independence by allowing children time to attempt to put on their shoes and coats for themselves. When they have mastered these skills they are encouraged to help others. Children's knowledge and understanding of the world is enhanced as they are taken on regular outings to farms and garden centres where they see animals, fish and birds. Children enjoy listening to stories read by the childminder helping them to learn that

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

words have meaning. They regularly dance to music and have learnt several gestured rhymes. Children are able to access toys kept at child height to engage in self chosen activities which enable them to explore and investigate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have regular opportunities to learn about the world they live in through outings and activities that introduce them to other cultures. For example, by attending a regular toddler group where they socialise with people from the local community. Their appreciation is further enhanced by the childminder having a range of toys, books, dolls and play figures that depict disability and ethnicity and which are used as part of everyday play. The childminder enables children to develop a sense of belonging whilst in her care, for example, responding to a child who wants a cuddle or sitting close together reading a book. All children's individual needs are met and the childminder has experience of caring for children with special needs, although none are attending at present. The childminder has developed strategies to deal with inappropriate behaviour, using distraction and a firmer tone of voice and by reinforcing positive behaviour. For

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Helping children make a positive contribution

example, one child pushed another and the childminder spoke firmly to him explaining his behaviour was unkind. The child understood this and apologised. The matter was not dwelt on and everyone continued with their activities. The childminder keeps parents informed of their child's progress by talking to them at the end of each day. She has a browsing file that parents can access and this contains all her training certificates, examples of menus, references from previous parents and a list of infectious diseases. The childminder has displayed the regulators contact details and informed parents how to make a complaint, but she

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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 does not maintain a record of complaints or concerns to show to future parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from being cared for by an experienced childminder who organises her home and outdoor area in such a way that children have plenty of room to play. They receive sufficient support to help them feel safe and secure, but are also allowed time to play using their imaginations and selecting toys of their choice. The childminder plans the week well allowing time for socialising, outings and free play indoors or in the garden. All regulatory documentation for the safe and effective management of children is in place, with the exception of a complaints log. The childminder's registration certificate is displayed for parents to see and relevant information kept on children in her care is maintained in a confidential manner. The childminder embraces training opportunities and has attended many courses. This ensures children are cared for by someone who is up-to-date with the latest

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Organisation

childcare practices. Overall, 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 three actions and three recommendations were made. One action was relating to safety in the home whilst all the other actions and recommendations referred to documentation. Since then good progress has been made. There is now a high lock on the downstairs toilet door which smaller children cannot reach. This ensures they cannot mistakenly lock themselves in. The childminder has the local child protection guidelines on site and has a poster giving Ofsted's details on the kitchen wall for parents to see. She has developed a recording procedure for when she administers medicine to children and has improved her attendance register by noting children's times of arrival and departure. She has requested, and obtained, permission from parents to take their children in her car for local outings. All these improvements ensure children's safety and wellbeing.

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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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Complaints 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

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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): • provide an appropriately equipped first aid box • maintain a record of complaints

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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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