Holton St Peter Community Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 124590 Inspection date 28 October 2005 Inspector Gillian Cubitt

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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 satisfactory. 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 1991. The childminder lives with her husband and three adult children and one of school age, in a house in South Croydon, close to local shops and schools. The whole of the ground floor and a bedroom on the first floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. It is a non-smoking household. The family have a pet snake and two cats.

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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 minded children to the local Primary and Nursery School on a daily basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy healthy meals. These are freshly prepared each day and they reflect a healthy balance, providing children with nutritious and appetising food. Children help themselves to apples and bananas when they feel like a snack. Children are aware that they can have drinks at all times and older children independently pour themselves a drink when they are thirsty. They also enjoy cooking times, when they help with the preparation of pizza; they learn about different ingredients and healthy foods. Children learn the importance of washing hands before meals and after touching animals. Children have plenty of exercise when they walk to school each day and they extend their physical play in the home, garden and special outings to leisure centres. Procedures for the care of sick children ensure that their welfare is given priority. Parents are kept informed by verbal feedback. The childminder has the necessary

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Helping children to be healthy

knowledge and acts appropriately if a child has an accident. Records for the administration of medication are in place, although this is a new system and has not yet been used.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a secure indoor and outdoor environment. Children have their own playroom, which is made safe so children can access a range of appropriate toys easily. The childminder assesses the risks for individual children and adjusts the environment to take into account the safety needs for the children who are present. For example, when she is minding babies or toddlers, she ensures that they remain in one room and do not have access to the upstairs bedrooms. She also ensures that small parts from toys in the playroom are kept out of reach. Other areas in the home, such as glass door panels are made safe with protective film, however, the lino in the kitchen is worn and has lifted in places which presents a hazard for children. The absence of the downstairs smoke alarm also presents a risk in the event of a fire. Children are protected, as the childminder is aware of the procedures to follow if she

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

has any concerns. She has an appropriate knowledge of first aid which ensures children are in safe hands in the event of an accident.

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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 happy, confident and settled. The children play well and enjoy their playroom with the wealth of activities that they have at their disposal, from construction toys, games, crayons, pencils and paint for creative play. Children play independently but also have the support from the childminder, as they have fun playing building towers with the game 'Jenga'. The childminder spends her time playing games and chatting to them. She creates a friendly environment where children feel free to try any activity they wish such as making spiders out of old pairs of tights. Children also go on fun outings with the childminder. They experience the local community as they walk to most places as well as making good use of public transport to go to activities out of walking distance, such as 'Play Town' in Croydon

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

where they have fun in the activity centre. The childminder has an awareness of caring for babies and small children and she is actively planning the activities and environment appropriate for the baby who will be coming to her in the near future.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's personal needs are discussed with parents so that these can be incorporated into the daily routine. For example, the childminder plans her days around the needs of the children to have a good breakfast before walking to school and pre-school. The childminder has a positive attitude towards customs and specific needs of others. She has a supply of books and dolls that inform children of the diversity in society. Children develop their own interests as they play freely with their favourite action man toys and show their skills as they do headstands and cartwheels. Children generally behave well. The childminder is calm and patient in her approach to managing behaviour, creating a relaxed atmosphere for children. Older children are encouraged to take responsibility and help, such as laying the table at meal times. Young children respond well to her and feel comfortable in her

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Helping children make a positive contribution

care. The childminder establishes friendly relationships with parents. They verbally share details about the children and overall childcare practices. Written information about individual children is basic and written daily routines for babies are not kept at present. However, the childminder plans to include this to help with the continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from a flexible attitude of the childminder within the set routines of the children's day. Children receive sufficient support and attention which helps them feel secure. Her main priority is to ensure that school times and meals are well scheduled into the day. Verbal feedback to parents ensure that the welfare of the

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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 children is promoted and consistency of care is provided. The childminder tries to keep up to date with current practice and guidance by attending courses such as first aid. All the required paperwork is in place and mostly well maintained. The childminder gathers all relevant information about the children, so she can give appropriate care and she regularly updates her records when changes occur. 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 the childminder was asked to make glass doors safe and also the childminder was asked to ensure that all adult members of the household were vetted and cleared with the Criminal records Bureau. The childminder has now placed protective film over the glass doors and all adult members of the household have now completed the relevant clearance forms. This ensures children are fully protected.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • ensure that a working smoke alarm is in place in the downstairs hall which alerts household members quickly in the event of a fire • ensure floor surfaces in the kitchen are made safe and do not present a hazard for children when walking in the kitchen • establish a daily contact book for parents of babies to keep them informed on the daily routines of sleep, meal times and nappy changes which assists with babies' continuity of care

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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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