Sandringham School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 136609 Inspection date 10 January 2006 Inspector Maria Lumley

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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 to care for children since 1990. She lives with her husband and children aged 9, 11 and 15 years, in Broadstone. The lounge and kitchen are used for childminding and there are two bedrooms for children that need to sleep. The childminder is registered to care for a total of four children at any one time. There are three children currently on roll.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from healthy meals and snacks that are provided for them throughout the day. They are encouraged to try fruits that are new to them, such as plums and peaches to promote a healthy diet. Regular drinks are offered to the children to ensure that fluid levels are maintained and beakers of water are always available for older children to take independently. Children's risk from cross infection is minimised through some suitable hygiene procedures that are in place. These include the use of disposable tissues for wiping noses, which older children do automatically and independently. Frequent use of wet wipes ensures that children's hands and faces are kept clean and prepared for them to eat snacks and meals. Risk of cross infection is also minimised for babies and young children as they have individual cot linen which is frequently laundered. Information is shared with parents about the exclusion of children with infectious

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Helping children to be healthy

illnesses, which helps to reduce the spread of infection. Children have some access to outdoor play and fresh air which contributes to their well being and physical development. Walks in the local community and trips to play parks provides them with opportunities for climbing, sliding, swinging and playing ball.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are kept safe on outings through the childminder's effective procedures. For example, she provides appropriate car seats, buggies and wrist straps. The childminder talks to the children about safe use of roads and crossings whenever they are out walking, reinforcing rules on every occasion. Children learn about how to keep themselves safe when out in public places. Children are kept safe in some areas of the home due to preventative measures taken by the childminder. However, access to hazardous substances and sharp utensils compromises their safety in the kitchen. Children move freely and confidently around the rooms and enjoy using well maintained resources. These are effectively organised in separate boxes, to make sure that they are suitable for the children's age and stage of development. Children help to tidy away once an activity has been completed, this keeps the floor free from hazards and prevents trips and falls from

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

occurring. Children are well supervised and the childminder is aware of their movements. However, children's safety is compromised due to poor security of the property, as a result children can leave the premises unattended. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has an understanding of child protection issues and her responsibility to keep children safe.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They are confident in the familiar routines, which take into account their individual needs such as sleep and rest times. Children feel secure in the relaxed and stimulating environment. Children are involved in a wide range of activities and experiences that promote learning and development. The childminders use of the Birth to three matters framework to extend the younger children's learning and involvement in activities and to promote positive outcomes for them. She is currently focusing on their communication skills. Children are interested and well occupied by the various play opportunities offered. These include using their senses to explore and experiment using play dough. They also enjoy resolving problems through trial and error. For example, one child spent considerable time playing with a train set, he repeatedly

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

swapped straight and curly pieces of track until he succeeded in making the two ends meet. The childminder demonstrates good skills in supporting the activity whilst not stepping in with too much adult intervention. This allows children control of problem solving. The childminder recognises their individual achievements and offers high levels of praise, this helps to boost their confidence and self-esteem. Children have good relationships with the childminder and benefit from her positive interaction. The children's independence is actively encouraged within the daily routines and activities. For example, they enjoy helping to tidy away toys and older children help younger children in activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected which helps them to feel good about themselves. Children's individual needs and routines are recorded in great detail, consequently the childminder is very well informed and able to plan the day effectively. The childminder has a clear understanding of each child's personality and ability and uses this information to support the children. Excellent use of two way diaries, telephone calls and daily discussions between the childminder and parents contribute to children's individual needs being extremely well met. Children learn about the wider world through discussions and access to a range of appropriate resources. They are being introduced to the French language through nursery rhyme tapes and key words. All children are included in activities, younger children learn from the older children, who act as positive role models. Children are familiar with expectations and co-operate when asked to help tidy away. They

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Helping children make a positive contribution

behave well and respond to the childminder's consistent, fair approach. Children benefit from well balanced attention from the childminder. For example, young children's sleep routine enables the childminder to focus on older children for periods of time, her attention transfers to the younger children when they wake.

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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. Children are settled and confident to explore within the environment. The structure of the day provides opportunities for play and rest times as children's individual needs require. Some resources are well positioned so children are able to access them easily, whilst they need adult support to gain access to others. Children receive high levels of adult support as the childminder maintains ratios at all times. However, she has not fully considered the security of the provision or safe storage of hazardous substances. Documentation and records are well maintained. However, individual parental consents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment have not been formulated with parents. The provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder agreed to ensure that a full range of furniture, equipment and toys were available and in place prior to commencing childminding. She also agreed to make sure that low-level glass panels were safe or inaccessible. The childminder has improved organisation and now arranges a variety of toys and play equipment before children arrive. Consequently children are able to participate in a range of activities as soon as they arrive at the property. Low level glass doors have been checked by a glazier and have proved to be safe and do not pose a hazard to young children.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that hazardous substances and sharp utensils are inaccessible to the children • make sure that the property is secure and that children cannot leave unsupervised • obtain written parental consents to seek emergency medical advice and treatment

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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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