RAF Benson Community Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 123028 Inspection date 27 October 2005 Inspector Linda Close

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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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 August 2000. She lives with her husband and two teenage children in a three bedroom semi-detached house in a residential area of Southfields in South West London. Both teenagers attend secondary school. The local authority is Wandsworth. The house is close to local parks, shops and bus routes. All areas of the property are used for childminding apart from the childminder's own bedroom, which is inaccessible to children. There is a fully enclosed garden at the rear of the house for

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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 outdoor play. The childminder regularly takes children to the local 'One o'clock club' and a toddler group. There are currently seven part-time or casual children on roll. The childminder is a member of The National Childminding Association and the Wandsworth Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children are given a variety of tasty, nutritious meals by the childminder who is well informed about healthy eating. Children enjoy freshly prepared food that includes ample fresh fruit and vegetables. Some parents prefer to provide food for their children and the childminder works well with them in this respect. She is aware of children's individual dietary needs. Children bring drinks of milk with them from home and the childminder also provides water throughout the day and at mealtimes. Parents know from the outset that children who are unwell must stay at home or be collected early if they become ill when they are with the childminder. The children are protected from the unnecessary spread of infection in this way. However, there are inconsistencies in some of the childminder's hygiene routines that pose a risk to children's good health. Nappies are changed as required using materials supplied by

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Helping children to be healthy

parents. However, the childminder neglects to clean the changing mat between one child and the next. There is a high risk of cross-contamination and infection between very young children. Children are not given towels for their own individual use which also increases the risks of cross-infection. Children have good opportunities for physical exercise on their daily walks and outings. Older children can play energetic games in the garden after school. Younger children are taken to a local 'One o'clock club' each day for floor play and music and movement activities. Children are sometimes taken to a local playground for play on large fixed equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children play and rest in clean surroundings. They have easy access to a good range of toys that are kept clean and maintained in good condition. The childminder ensures that babies and toddlers do not access toys with small pieces. Children can choose from a good range of attractive books that are developmentally appropriate for them. Children are unlikely to access any dangerous items in the home because the childminder has put medication and sharp or heavy objects out of their reach. The fireplace and radiators are guarded well. However, there is a possible hazard to children that has been overlooked. Gas appliances in the home have not been

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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 checked for safety for quite some time, which compromises children's safety. Children are not fully safeguarded in relation to child protection issues. The childminder is aware of the signs or symptoms that could suggest abuse or neglect and she knows what steps she should take if she has any concerns. However, she does not fully recognise her responsibilities towards the children in her care. She does not keep a record of existing injuries, which does not comply with child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have good opportunities to take part in play with others at the one o' clock club and at the 'Mums and Tots' group both of which they attend with the childminder. The childminder takes the children to one of these groups every day. The children can develop their social skills through learning to share and take turns with favourite toys with other children. They also gain valuable experience of interacting with other adult carers at these sessions. The childminder interacts well with the children in her care. Babies are encouraged to vocalise because she talks to them and responds appropriately to their early attempts at speech. She engages in conversation with toddlers and encourages correct pronunciation by example. Babies and younger children have easy access to a good range of toys and books in the childminder's home. Older children cared for after school enjoy a good range of art and craft activities. For

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

example, they make gifts to take home for special occasions using interesting materials such as clay, glitter, glue and paint. Older children also have opportunities to play energetic games in the garden. Children enjoy play with water and sand in fine weather.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder finds out about children's individual needs, preferences and sleep routines from parents, which helps her to provide continuity of care. Records of accidents and medication are kept appropriately and signed by parents which promotes children's wellbeing in most respects, although the childminder does not find out about, or keep records of, existing injuries. The childminder is flexible in her arrangements for minding children, which helps busy parents. Children's behaviour is managed well using a positive approach. The childminder distracts very young children if they squabble and discusses fairness and sharing with older children. Behaviour management issues are shared with parents which helps to ensure consistency for the children. Children are encouraged to develop good relationships with a broad range of people. Calm discussions help older children to understand issues concerning race, custom

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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 and culture. Toys and resources are well chosen by the childminder to develop children's knowledge of a broad range of people. The childminder has an appropriate understanding of the care of children who have special needs, although none are cared for at present.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder organises her childminding arrangements well to assist parents and at the same time to ensure that she remains within her conditions of registration. She has taken an active approach to attendance at training courses to maintain first aid knowledge and to underpin her childminding practice. Children are not left with non-vetted people. Adult family members were checked for suitability at registration and children of the family who have attained the age of 16 years have applied for appropriate suitability checks. Most, but not all, documents and records are in place for the efficient and safe provision of childminding services. The childminder has organised her home appropriately to provide sufficient space for children to play and rest. She maintains her home in a clean condition, but does not always avoid the possibility of cross infection for children in some aspects of her

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Organisation

routines. She has not organised safety checks or taken other appropriate steps to ensure that gas appliances are safe. The setting does not meet the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that gas appliances and fittings conform to safety requirements and do not pose a hazard to children. The childminder has not taken steps to ensure that gas appliances conform to safety requirements and, therefore, she is not sure that these appliances are safe. The childminder agreed to provide a written statement for parents telling them what steps to take if they should have a complaint. Appropriate information is now given to each child's parents.

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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve.

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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 The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • promote safety within the home by ensuring that gas appliances are safe • ensure that positive steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection • develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and responsibilities. Keep accurate records which comply with local Area Child Protection Committee procedures and include concerns about existing injuries. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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