Didbrook Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 115537 Inspection date 25 November 2005 Inspector Mandy Mooney

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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 registered in August 1995. She lives with her husband and two sons, aged twelve and fourteen years in an extended house in Bexley. The house is within walking distance of local schools, pre-schools and other local amenities. All areas of the property are used for childminding, with the exception of the master bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. There are currently six children on roll. A baby aged 6 months who is cared for on a full time basis. A 2 year old who is cared for on a part time basis. Four children aged 6 years, two 5 year olds and a 7 year old. All of whom are cared for before and after

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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 school. The family do not have any pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The effective cleaning routines and the childminder’s own good practice help prevent cross infection. The children know that washing their hands after visiting the toilet and before eating helps prevent the spread of germs. The childminder has developed some effective procedures to promote children's welfare, for example, a clear agreement with parents that children who have a contagious infection are not accepted. However, the procedure for administering medication is less effective. The information relating to children's health in regards to administering specific medication and individual consent to administer specific medicine is not in place. This compromises children's welfare and is a breach of regulation. The childminder acknowledges this weakness in practice and demonstrates a positive attitude to improving this procedure to safeguard children. There are appropriate meals and snacks to help children develop healthy eating

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Helping children to be healthy

habits from a young age. The childminder is keen to ensure the wishes of parents are adhered to and also that the meals meet the likes and dislikes of the children attending. The children are confident about asking for drinks. The children enjoy a sufficient range of physical activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle, these include, use of the garden and trips to the local park in the finer weather. During the day, younger children enjoy dancing and singing indoors with the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children benefit from playing in a bright and well-organised environment. This allows them to move around and play safely. They have easy and safe access to a sufficient range of toys and resources appropriate for their age. The childminder regularly checks toys and resources ensure there are no broken parts that could harm a child. The childminder implements some effective systems for ensuring children are kept safe. For example, all electrical sockets are inaccessible to the children and medication and other potentially hazardous materials are inaccessible to children. The children learn about keeping themselves safe, through the childminder reinforcing messages, for example, the importance of keeping seatbelts on whilst travelling in the car and practicing crossing the road safely.

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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 The childminder has some effective systems in place to promote fire safety, for example, a maintained smoke alarm on the first floor of the premises and an accessible fire blanket in the kitchen. Although the childminder has given some thought to how to evacuate the premises in the event of an emergency, this has not been practised with the children to ensure it is effective. The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of the possible signs and symptoms that could indicate a child is being abused or neglected. She has the most recent guidelines and procedures to follow if a concern is raised. However she is less confident in her understanding of the procedure to follow to make a referral or in the event that an allegation is made against the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a sufficient range of activities to meet the developmental needs of all children. For example, older children enjoy using their imagination in role play and developing their turn-taking and sharing skills whilst enjoying board games. The younger children benefit from the close interaction shared with the childminder. They enjoy spending time indoors with the childminder, singing and dancing and looking at books. There are few opportunities for the younger children to mix and socialise with other children their own age, as they do attend any pre- school groups. The childminder is aware of the Birth to three matters framework, however, this is not implemented in the provision and consequently the benefits of this to children are not evident. The childminder knows the children well and uses this knowledge to develop close and caring relationships with all the children. The children respond well to her and are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

very settled in the environment. The younger children enjoy closeness and cuddles from the childminder, this helps them feel secure.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder welcomes all children and families into her provision. She is willing to care for all children, as long as she can meet their needs effectively. The children have access to some resources to reflect a positive image of the community, for example, various play figures and books depicting different roles and cultures. This helps children learn about each other and themselves. The childminder values the children and works in partnership with the parents and children to meet their individual needs. She hasn't had any experience of caring for children with a disability, however, she demonstrates a realistic approach to this. The childminder is consistent in her approach to behaviour management and uses appropriate strategies, such as, 'time out'. She always talks to the child to ensure they understand the consequences of their actions. This helps children learn right

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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 from wrong. They behave well because they are familiar with the rules and boundaries in place and are encouraged to care for each other and to take responsibility for their environment. Positive relationships are well established with parents, promoting the welfare of children. The childminder creates time every day to talk to parents about their children, what they have been doing and the progress they are making. The parents are also kept well informed about their children's routines, ensuring consistent care is provided.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has a good level of experience in childcare and a sound knowledge of the children she is caring for, this helps her provide a satisfactory range of experiences to stimulate the children. She expressed an interest in attending relevant training to further enhance her service, however she has not managed to do this as yet. The children have sufficient space for active play, quiet activities, rest and relaxation. They are able to choose their toys and resources as they stored at their level. The childminder offers appropriate support to the children and encourages social skills. The records required for the safe management of the provision are in place and the childminder stores these in a confidential and accessible way. Generally, these are appropriately maintained. The childminder acknowledges a weakness in the recording of medication records. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Several areas for improvement were agreed at the previous inspection in July 2003. Significant improvement has been made in record keeping. All records relating to the provision are readily available for inspection and all required consents and attendance records are maintained. This contributes to the safe management of the provision. Further improvement is required in the records pertaining to the administration of medication. There has been some improvement in the range of art and craft activities provided for children, for example, the childminder has developed the range of resources to support this area. This enables children to take part in sufficient range of activities.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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 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 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): • obtain written consent to administer all medication and ensure sufficient information relating to this is in place • improve knowledge of responsibility in regards to child protection, including the procedures to follow if an allegation is made against the childminder • improve the outcomes for children from birth to three years by using an approach in line with Birth to three matters. Consider enhancing children's learning opportunities further by attending appropriate pre-school groups

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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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