Haughton Community School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 114320 Inspection date 25 January 2006 Inspector Christine Clint

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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 1991. She lives in a residential area of Midhurst, West Sussex with her husband and two children of school age. Children are cared for on the ground floor of the family home, mainly in the kitchen/dining room and the lounge, with access to a ground floor toilet. There is a small secure rear garden with a fenced pond. The house is close to local schools, shops and pre-schools and the childminder walks regularly to deliver and collect children.

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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 At the time of the inspection one child is being cared for, there are currently six children who attend on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about hygiene by following regular daily routines of hand washing, especially if they are helping in the kitchen. Children spend most of their time in the functional kitchen/dining room which is used for activities at the table and for meals. Children recognise when they need to use a tissue and the childminder reminds them readily, she assists if they need extra help and suggests methods to help to ease any special health problems, for example a sore nose. Children talk about the perfume of the wipes as they use them and they ask for tissues to wipe their cups if they are sticky. Children promptly tell the childminder when they need to be changed, their individual routines for potty training are being followed and they are frequently reminded. There is easy access to the ground floor toilet. Children sleep in their own prams and pushchairs on the ground

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Helping children to be healthy

floor and parents provide the bedding. Children's welfare is clearly promoted in the policy for sick children and in the written permission for emergency treatment. There are records in place of all medication administered, although there is no prior written permission from parents to give medicine. Children's needs for first aid are met because the childminder is committed to attending a local first aid course to update her certificate. There is a first aid kit available and children's accidents are effectively recorded, especially all bumps to the head. Most children bring packed lunches which are hygienically stored, others have snack food which is provided by the childminder. These arrangements are organised to meet the needs of parents when child care commences and any allergies or special needs are recorded and managed well. Children eat regularly at the table, they can access their own drinks at any time.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are physically active indoors, they jump and pretend to be frogs. They walk frequently during the day to collect other children and they take turns in the pushchair. They sometimes visit local parks and use the apparatus. They can play in the small rear garden which is used far more in the summer months.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are entirely safe and secure because they are cared for on the ground floor of a comfortable family home, where space is organised to meet their needs. They use the kitchen/ dining room and hall for most activities and the lounge is used for quieter play, television, or a sleep room for children in their pushchairs. Children can

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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 also play very safely in the small rear garden. It is secure and easily viewed from the house with a fully fenced garden pond. Children select activities according to the time available and their ability. They frequently ask for certain play items in advance and the childminder purposefully finds these and has them ready for children's arrival. Children know that their toys and games are stored in the ground floor toy cupboard and there is a good supply. They often help to tidy and check all the toys, they empty the whole cupboard and help to wash all the dolls. Children are thoroughly secure because the childminder spends all her time with them. She has identified and eliminated any hazards within the home, kitchen cupboards and drawers are locked, a stair gate is in place and low glass is

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

toughened. Children are also reminded to be careful during their play; the childminder is observant and prevents them from putting plastic knives in their mouths when playing with the play dough. Children's safety is promoted through the fire protection systems in place; there are smoke alarms on both floors and a fire blanket is available in the kitchen. The childminder has a written plan for an emergency fire procedure and an organised optimum place of safety. Children are responsibly supervised when they walk every day to local nurseries and schools to deliver and collect others. Children's welfare is strongly supported by the childminder's knowledge and experience, she has attended child protection training. She is very aware of confidentiality but also of her duty to respond to children's needs and raise concerns with parents and other agencies.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children interact well with the childminder, they talk about the daily routines, they mention other minded children and ask who is being collected at lunch time. They are very used to the daily routines of delivering and collecting children. They have ample attention from the childminder at all times and readily show affection and care. The childminder cuddles and comforts them when they are tired, she has cared for some of the children since they were babies. Children respond to the childminder's suggestion to play with the play dough, they choose the colour and talk about the shapes they are making. They use plastic knives and cutters to make shapes and balls and they enjoy rolling and squeezing the dough. Children talk about their families, their birthdays and the coming event of a new baby in the family. They play simple board games with the childminder, they shake the dice

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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 Younger children have a readily available toy box, with play resources to meet their needs. They can also easily access the larger toys and play with dolls and prams or the garage and cars. They can listen to music and watch selected television. Children use a large tin to make a drum, they put a car inside and shake it to make a sound. The childminder questions them about what is inside and what is making the noise, they laugh when they identify the car. Children are learning to put on their own coats, shoes, boots and the childminder encourages them to interact and to think. She warns them in advance that they need to dress up warmly as they have to leave. Children are encouraged to learn about right and wrong because the childminder continually explains and reasons, she

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

automatically encourages them to negotiate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's understanding of equality is reasonably promoted. The childminder treats children equally especially when playing games, she encourages children to share and support each other regardless of age, ability or gender. Children's individual needs can be highlighted by parents on their initial record forms. The childminder is happy to accommodate all children and there is some play equipment to reflect positive images of a multi-cultural society. Children with additional learning and behaviour needs are well managed because the childminder has previously assisted parents with a special diet. She is prepared to work with parents to help identify and manage children's care, by effectively keeping records and observing any changes to gauge children's reaction. Children learn about acceptable behaviour because the childminder uses explanation with all aged children. She knows that some children are younger and may not fully

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Helping children make a positive contribution

understand, however they learn through the process of explanation and distraction if appropriate. Older children are encouraged to explain situations and the childminder would only use tactics if negative behaviour persists. Children's daily care is planned and recorded on contracts with parents and individual information sheets for children are in place. Parents can highlight their needs and views at the commencement of minding, when the childminder informs parents about her daily routines. Several parents are currently potty training children and the childminder knows that routines need to be the same. Children's welfare is maintained because parents have access to some information in the portfolio, although this does not fully inform parents about the procedures for child protection and the childminder's duty to respond, or the house rules. Children's collection procedures are in place. The childminder organises to meet anyone new before

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Helping children make a positive contribution

collection takes place. She recognises that hand over times are usually busy and she will contact parents later by telephone, if they need to talk.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children are soundly cared for because the childminder has an appropriate understanding of the suitable person criteria. She is aware of notifying Ofsted, of carrying out checks on adult members of the family and of her duty to supervise the children at all times. The registration certificate is available and the childminder is also aware of the inspection process. She has many years experience of child care. All children's information records are in place and children are cared for at organised times to maintain the adult child ratios. The childminder also regularly cares for some children over the age of eight years. Children's daily attendance is recorded in a diary, but this does not fully show when children are on the premises.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last Children Act inspection the childminder was asked to develop the information given to parents, to include a complaints procedure, an admissions and collection policy, and a policy for sick children. She was also asked to devise an emergency escape plan. The childminder has a basic portfolio available for parents and this does include a complaints procedure, which states that the childminder will take initial responsibility for all concerns raised, it also gives parents the Ofsted contact number. The childminder has devised an emergency escape plan in the event of fire and has named an optimum place of safety. She has formulated a sick child policy and has written procedures for children's arrival and collection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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

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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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 parents give, prior written permission before any medication is administered • further develop the information for parents to include the procedures to be followed in the event of any concerns and how behaviour is managed during child care • amend the daily record of children's attendance to show when children are on the premises.

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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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