Wheatley Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 122983 Inspection date 19 October 2005 Inspector Patricia Ann Edward

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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 1998 and works with another childminder, from the same premises, occasionally employing an assistant. The setting is located in the London Borough of Wandsworth, and operates four days a week. There are currently 7 children aged under 5 years on roll, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The whole ground floor of the setting and the first floor bathroom is used for childminding. There is a front garden available for supervised outdoor play.

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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 takes the children to local parks, playgrounds and the City Farm on a regular basis and occasionally on outings further a field. She is a member of the National Childminders Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well nurtured in a warm, tidy and clean environment, where they learn the importance of personal care. Children's general health is safeguarded because the childminder has attended relevant first aid training and she maintains good standards of hygiene. Children learn the importance of hygiene through daily routines that include washing hands before meals and snacks, and group circle discussions. Children have access to a good range of activities, that contributes to their physical development. They have daily opportunities to take part in physical activities, such as using the front garden and visits to local parks. They develop fine motor skills through relevant activities, such as modelling play dough. Children are provided with healthy snacks and balanced meals, which are provided by both childminder and their parents. Children have access to drinking water throughout the day. Their individual dietary needs are well met because the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder exchanges relevant information verbally, with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have access to most areas of the premises which are safe and secure, as the childminder identifies and minimises risks to children. She uses appropriate safety equipment and checks all resources and equipment to ensure they are safe for children to use. However, children's safety is not ensured in the event of an emergency as the childminder has not devised an evacuation plan, to practice with the children. Children’s safety outside the home is well promoted. The childminder takes appropriate steps to keep children safe, for example she ensures that children’s hands are held. Prior written parental consent for outings and using car and public transport is in place. Children are effectively supervised throughout the day due to the organisational skills of the childminder. They are further protected because the childminder has sound knowledge of the procedure to follow if she has a concern about a child in her care.

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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 Children are well entertained and stimulated in the childminding environment, which is warm bright and child centred. Children spend their time purposefully engaged in a wide variety of activities which support and encourage their learning. Their independence and confidence is well supported as they choose what they want to play with. Resources are set up and stored attractively at the children's level. They enjoy exploring a range of activities which contribute to their creativity, such as junk modelling and play dough. Children are confident in their relationship with their peers and the childminder. They are able to approach the childminder for a hug whenever they feel the need, which increase their sense of well-being. Children have extensive opportunities to develop their social skills because the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder takes the children out daily on local trips such as the park, and planned trips that are further a field, for example, the science museum. Children's language is supported and well extended by the childminder as she effectively questions them. For example, she asks them questions about what they are doing, what they can see, what they would like to do and what interests them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well behaved and are encouraged by the childminder, to be aware of the needs of their peers. They share, play together co-operatively and take turns. Children have a good relationship with the childminder because she works well with parents to meet children’s individual needs. In addition, she sets secure boundaries, joins in their play and learning and makes them feel confident about themselves. The childminder shares verbal and written information with parents daily, to keep them informed of their children's developments. Children with special needs are welcomed. The childminder has experience of caring for children with minor visual impairment and speech and language delay, and has knowledge of relevant information. Children’s early learning about diversity is appropriately supported because the childminder uses a suitable range of resources illustrating the positive aspects of differences.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are comfortable within the provision. There is an adequate amount of space for children to play in, which is organised well by the childminder. Children’s well-being and health is effectively supported by the childminder because most of the required documentation is maintained in an acceptable order. However, the childminder has not organised sufficient suitability checks on the childminding assistant. As a result, children's are not sufficiently protected against persons who have not been vetted. Although parents have access to some policies and

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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 procedures, they do not have access to the childminder's conditions of registration as she does not display her certificate. 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 agreed to devise an effective system for recording times of children's arrival and departure, obtain prior written consent from parents to administer medication and increase the safety of the bathroom lock. Children's safety is enhanced because the childminder has now devised and implemented an effective system for recording children's attendance and obtains prior written consent from parents to administer medication. Children's safety has been further improved by the childminder removing the low lock on the bathroom door to prevent children from locking themselves in.

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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): • devise and implement an emergency evacuation procedure which is practiced with children. • ensure appropriate checks are completed on childminding assistant to establish their suitability.

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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 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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