Locksley Preparatory School

Inspection report for early years provision

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122923 Unique Reference Number 06 March 2006 Inspection date Patricia Ann Edward Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 1993.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She lives with her husband and two adult children. They live in a house in Tooting.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The ground floor is used for childminding except the lounge area. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. There are shops and parks within walking distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler groups on a regular 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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have access to the garden and make regular visits to local parks and playgroups to enjoy physical activities, exercise and fresh air. They are beginning to understand the benefits of a healthy diet and they are encouraged to try healthy choices and appreciate healthy meals and snacks. Meal times are a social occasion, where children sit around the table together. They have access to drinking water throughout the day and their individual dietary needs are recorded and met as the childminder has previous experience of providing a meat free diet for a child in her care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are nurtured in a warm tidy and clean environment, where they learn the importance of hygiene and personal care. The childminder has effective hygiene routines in place to prevent the risk of cross infection for example, washing hands before lunch and encouraging children to blow their noses with tissues and disposing of them appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are safeguarded well by the childminder's knowledge and understanding of health issues. She keeps accurate records on children's health needs and information is effectively shared with parents daily.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move safely around areas of the home used for childminding because the childminder follows a daily routine, before the children arrive. She ensures that safety equipment is in place for example safety gates and locks on lower cupboards. Children are protected well outside the home, younger children are in buggies and the childminder teaches older children about road safety. The childminder ensures parental consent is obtained for outings, using public transport and her car in the case of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are effectively supervised throughout the day due to the organisational skills of the childminder. Children's safety in the event of a fire is ensured because the childminder has devised an appropriate written evacuation procedure, although this has not been practised with the children. They are further protected because the childminder has a good knowledge of the procedure to follow if she has child protection concerns about a child in her care. The childminder has knowledge of Local Authority procedures and local telephone numbers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children make independent choices from a good selection of safe, age appropriate toys and all the equipment used by the children is regularly safety checked by the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and settled within the childminder's home. They have good opportunities to engage in a variety of activities which supports and encourages their learning. Children relate

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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 well to the childminder because she encourages and gives praise enabling their confidence to grow.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children's independence and confidence is well supported because they choose what they want to play with and the childminder joins in with their play, encouraging children’s individual development of skills and abilities. Children take part in a number of activities that contribute to their enjoyment and learning such as, puzzles, imaginary and construction resources. Children benefit from a range of different outdoor play activities, which includes visits to local parks and toddler groups where children can socialise and meet others.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's language development is supported and well extended by the childminder. She listens and responds to the children, asks them questions about what they are doing, what they can see and what interests them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are respected as individuals and their needs are effectively met by the childminder, who works closely with the parents to get to know the children well. Children’s early learning about diversity is appropriately supported because the childminder uses a good range of resources illustrating the positive aspects of cultures and differences. Children are also taught knowledge and understanding of the world and diversity by celebrating a range of festivals throughout the year such as: EID, Easter, Diwaili and Chinese New Year.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is appropriate and they are encouraged by the childminder to be aware of the needs of their peers, by sharing, helping each other, playing together co-operatively and turn taking. The childminder has devised a no smacking statement. Children have a good relationship with the childminder because she works well with them and their parents to meet their individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has no experience of caring for children with special needs, however, is happy to provide care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are comfortable and secure in the well organised environment, which helps them gain confidence and independence. Children have sufficient space in which to play because the childminder organises her home to ensure that the maximum amount of space is always available.

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Organisation

Children’s safety, wellbeing and health is effectively supported and monitored by the childminder who maintains all the required documentation in good order such as a medication book, contracts, a sick children's policy and an equal opportunities policy. Systems are in place for exchanging verbal and written information with parents on a daily basis, which keeps them informed about their children's development and the care that is provided.

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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 The childminder has a positive attitude to training and has attended a number of courses to develop her childcare practice.

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Organisation

Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's safety has been enhanced because the childminder has ensured the garden area is secure and improved the safety of the drains to prevent children's feet getting stuck.

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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): • practise devised emergency escape plan with the children and record details.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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