Hanbury Preparatory School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 124480 Inspection date 05 December 2005 Inspector Rebecca Elizabeth Khabbazi

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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 has been registered since 1996. She lives with her two children aged 15 and 12 years old. The family live in a 4-bedroom house in a residential area of Croydon. The downstairs of the house is the main area used for childminding. A garden is available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under 8 years old at any one time. There are currently four children on roll who attend on a part-time basis.

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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 family have a cat and some goldfish. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association, the Croydon Childminding Association, and the Croydon Community Childminding Network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home. They begin to learn about the importance of good hygiene practices when they wash their hands before meals or after messy play. The childminder makes sure children have their own towels and their own bedding when they sleep. This helps prevent the spread of infection. Children benefit from regular, varied meals that meet their nutritional needs. They begin to develop healthy eating habits when they are offered fruit for pudding and when they choose which vegetables they will have for lunch today. Children take part in regular physical activity which contributes to a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy going for a walk in the park or playing on the swings in the playground. Children have access to the garden throughout the year. They have opportunities to run freely, use the slide or play with equipment such as bikes and balls. Children's health is protected as the childminder keeps records about their health

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Helping children to be healthy

needs, any accidents they have or any medicine they are given. She is able to respond quickly to any minor injuries or accidents as she has a current First Aid certificate. However, parents have not yet been asked to give their written consent for the childminder to seek medical advice or treatment for their child in an emergency. This means that parents' wishes regarding this issue may not be clear.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a well organised environment with plenty of space to play. Their risk of accidental injury is minimised as the childminder takes steps to reduce potential hazards. For instance, she keeps cleaning materials out of children's reach and electrical sockets are fitted with covers. Children begin to learn to keep themselves safe when they take part in regular well planned fire practices or talk about road safety. Children choose from a very good range of toys and play materials. Resources are kept in good condition. Children share in checking and cleaning toys on a regular basis and the childminder ensures the materials they play with are suitable for their age and stage of development. This means children can play safely. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has completed child protection training. She knows what to do if she is worried about a child and this means she will

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

be able to act quickly and appropriately if needed.

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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 are settled and confident in the childminder's home. They have good relationships with the childminder who is responsive to their individual needs and recognises their achievements. For example, when they can find the letter that starts their name. This fosters their self-esteem and supports their emotional well-being. Children take part in a good range of interesting activities and first hand experiences that support their all-round development. They enjoy regular outings to toddler groups to socialise with other children, visits to the library to listen to story-time, or trips to the local shops to buy ingredients to decorate cakes. They show pleasure as they choose toys and play materials independently or take part in planned activities such as making decorations and cards for Christmas. The childminder helps children learn by spending time with them, letting them try things for themselves and offering

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

encouragement. She has started to use the 'Birth to three matters' framework to make observations of children's achievements and in the future intends to use these to plan activities that build on children's existing skills and help them make progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed into the setting and valued as individuals. The needs of all children are taken into account which means they can all take part in the full range of activities provided. The childminder has a calm and consistent approach which helps children behave well. They begin to develop a positive attitude to the wider community. They listen to stories about other people's lives in different parts of the world and play with toys that reflect positive images of diversity. Children benefit from good relationships between the childminder and their parents. They talk to each other every day to exchange information and review written agreements on a regular basis. This helps children experience consistent care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder keeps all of the required records that contribute to children's health, safety and well-being. She also provides additional written details, such as a clear brochure about the setting, and written policies and procedures. This ensures parents are kept very well informed about the provision. Children are comfortable and feel at home in the well-organised environment. They are able to make the most of the play and learning opportunities provided as the childminder ensures there is ample space to play and that they can easily reach toys and play materials. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder continued to develop her childcare knowledge by completing a relevant qualification. The childminder now has an NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and Education. This means she has a good knowledge and understanding of the developmental needs of young children.

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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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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): • request written consent from parents to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment

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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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