Pinewood Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 126922 Inspection date 21 February 2006 Inspector Tracy Larnach

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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 was registered in 1984. She lives with her husband and 2 grown-up children. A playroom on the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 10 children all on a part-time basis. She drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler groups.

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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 family has a dog. The childminder is a member of an approved childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home. However, strategies to ensure good hygiene are not consistently practised. For example, children do not regularly wash their hands before eating or after using the toilet. As a result, they are not developing an understanding of why they must wash their hands and are at risk of cross-infection. A current first aid certificate, parental permission to seek emergency medical advice and treatment and accident and medicine records are in place. This helps the childminder to act in the children's best interest should they have an accident or become ill. A sick child procedure ensures children who are ill do not attend to help prevent the spread of infection. The parents or the childminder provide the food. The childminder takes into account the parents wishes and the children’s choices and is working on providing a healthy diet to keep the children well nourished. Children enjoy healthy snacks such as fresh

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Helping children to be healthy

and dried fruit, however, they are also given biscuits. Lunch consists of sandwiches with salad, fruit and yoghurt. This is prepared before the children arrive and kept in the fridge to ensure it remains fresh. School-aged children are offered a snack, such as toast, when they arrive. Children are provided with drinks throughout the day to keep them hydrated. Younger children have their own cup of drink readily available, older children are offered a drink or ask. Children's individual sleep and rest times are respected by the childminder so they are able to sleep when they wish. Young children and babies enjoy daily activities which contribute to their physical wellbeing. The childminder compensates for the fact that they are limited to the playroom in her home by regularly taking them out. Children enjoy the garden, walks and outings to toddler groups, soft play areas and the beach to develop their physical

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Helping children to be healthy

skills. Babies are able to roll and move freely in the playroom, developing control of their bodies. School-aged children are taken to the park or play areas to give them opportunities to be physically active during the school holidays. However, this does not happen after school because of the limited amount of time they attend.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children are safe and secure in the childminder's home because she undertakes informal risk assessments. The childminder has appropriate procedures for outings to keep children safe. They learn about safety through everyday situations. For example, the childminder teaches them about crossing the road safely when on outings and not touching the plugs in her home. The childminder safeguards and promotes the children’s welfare. She has procedures in place for the safe arrival and

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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 collection of children and knows the recommendations for sleeping babies. The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of child protection to keep the children safe. However, she is aware that she needs to keep her knowledge up-to-date and has enrolled in additional training. There is an evacuation plan, smoke alarms, a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket to contribute to children’s safety in a fire. The childminder has spoken to the school-aged children about fire evacuation and practiced this. However, this has not been done with the younger children. The childminder has parent’s permission for transporting children in a vehicle or on outings.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. There is a dedicated playroom where children have a range of resources to freely select from. They know where everything is kept. For example, they know which container contains the animals and which one contains the plates, cups and saucers. Children become sociable as they play together. For example, they enjoy the mirrored house, using their imagination as they pretend to sleep, using a blanket for a door. The children's independence is promoted as they are encouraged to help by putting things in the bin and picking up the toys. Children enjoy books and stories and have a variety to select from, this promotes a love of books and reading. Children's mathematical thinking is encouraged as the childminder asks questions such as, "does it fit?", "is it too big?" and "how many?". Children enjoy singing together, for example counting ducks led to singing about the 5 little ducks. Next the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children fetched the 'song bag' and using the props inside enjoyed a song time. The baby joined in laughing as they sang, finding his voice as he asked for his favourite song. The childminder has attended Birth to three matters training, however, she is not yet using it fully to adapt activities for the younger children. The children have few opportunities to experiment or become creative with different media as these activities are limited to when they attend groups. In the home, there are no opportunities to play in water, sand, paint or play dough to develop their creativity. Crafts are generally adult-initiated as the childminder describes "making one first" to show the children. The school-aged children generally watch television after school as they are with the childminder for such a short time. The childminder said activities are more varied in the school holidays.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are content in the childminder's care. They enjoy her company and readily approach her to play. There is an effective settling-in procedure which includes short visits, then working with the parents to meet the children's individual needs. Positive behaviour is promoted through praise and encouragement. For example, the childminder encourages the children to share, take turns and say "please" and "thank you" to each other. She is a positive role model. If children exhibit inappropriate

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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 behaviour the childminder redirects them or removes them from the situation. As a result, the children behave well. There is a behaviour policy which is shared with parents. The children's self-esteem is promoted through encouragement and praise. The children's record forms detail religion and any special requirements to enable the childminder to cater for their individual needs. For example, there are children who attend with allergies. Children learn about the local community through walks and visits. There is a range of posters, books and toys that reflect positive images of different cultures to help children develop knowledge and understanding of the world. However, there are no resources that reflect positive images of disability. Children are taught to have positive images of differences through positive role model and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

discussion. The childminder has experience caring for children with additional needs. She is happy to care for all children providing she can meet their needs appropriately.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good partnership with parents which benefits the children. She provides a pick-up service to support them. She finds out about the children's routines by asking the parents, they in turn provide information in writing. All babies have contact books and the childminder speaks to the parents daily, this ensures continuity in care for the children. The childminder's previous Ofsted report is shared with the parents when they meet her and a copy is provided if they ask. She effectively uses her policies and procedures to promote the welfare and care of the children. They are shared with the parents so that they are informed about her service and their children's activities. Parent’s written permission has been sought for outings, transporting children in a vehicle and to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. Contracts are in place outlining business details to ensure that the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder is providing the care parents wish. There is a complaints procedure in line with the new legislation.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home and are able to play safely in the playroom. The children play well together. However, babies are not included at meal times as part of the group to promote their social development. The daily routine is organised to include quiet times, active times, meal times and outings. The childminder ensures that all children get a balance of opportunities in her care. The required documentation for the safe and effective management of the setting and for the welfare of the children is maintained and stored securely. The attendance register shows that the childminder complies with conditions of numbers. The certificate of registration is displayed so that parents are aware of the conditions of registration. The childminder has public liability and business insurance on her car. However, she has not ensured that all adults living on the premises have had the appropriate checks to establish their

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Organisation

suitability. She is committed to ongoing training and professional development to enhance her service and the care of the children. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements 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 At the last inspection the childminder was asked to: develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues; to ensure parents are aware of the emergency evacuation procedures and the procedures for sick children; and to ensure records of children's daily attendance are completed accurately. After the last inspection the childminder attended a course to increase her knowledge and understanding of child protection. As a result, she has a satisfactory knowledge to keep children safe. The emergency evacuation procedure is now in writing and shared with the parents to keep them informed. A procedure for sick children has been developed and the childminder informs parents to ensure the spread of infection is minimised. Children's daily attendance records are completed accurately

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Improvements since the last inspection

and show the childminder adheres to her conditions of registration to ensure children remain safe.

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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 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 appropriate hygiene procedures regarding hand washing are implemented • continue to develop the range of activities for the children, for example; by using the Birth to three matters framework • ensure that all persons over the age of 16 years living or regularly present in the household when children are being minded undergo checks including a criminal records check.

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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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