Hilda First School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 129200 Inspection date 17 January 2006 Inspector Paula Durrant

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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 good. 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 1993. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 22 and 17 years in a property within a rural suburb of Hertfordshire. She is registered to provide care for 5 children at any one time and is currently minding a total of 3 children under 5 years, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder takes children to the park, mother and toddler groups and makes full use of other local amenities. The family has dog. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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 good. Children learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care as they follow the daily routine. They know when and why they wash their hands due to the consistent intervention of the childminder who explains about germs and the affects that they can cause to their bodies, making them poorly and unwell. Exemplary practices such as the wearing of latex gloves when changing nappies, the use of antibacterial solutions to cleanse hands and individual towels and bed linen all contributes to the prevention of cross contamination. Children's health is maintained in the event of a medical emergency as the childminder holds a current first aid qualification and ensures sufficient medical supplies are available in her first aid box. All accidental injuries and medication administered are recorded in line with registration requirements. Children receive a varied, balanced and nutritious diet. All meals are home cooked

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Helping children to be healthy

from fresh ingredients and consideration is given to children's preferences when planning menus. All individual dietary needs are adhered to. Children do not become thirsty as drinks are offered frequently throughout the day. Children enjoy a wide range of physical activities which contribute to their good health. Each day they walk to and from school and regular trips to the local playground and activity centres are frequent. They also have access to a secure and safe garden area which is suitably equipped with a range of challenging resources to develop increased control and coordination. Children rest and are active in accordance to their needs. Younger children sleep in line with home care routines whilst older children sit quietly looking at books to recuperate their energy levels.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe secure family home where all necessary safety precautions remain in place. The childminder is highly vigilant undertaking daily checks of the home prior to children's attendance. Children remain in sight and hearing at all times. Children access a diverse range of good quality resources that are well maintained. The childminder abides to manufacturers' recommendations providing age appropriate equipment that holds a recognised safety kite mark. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder explains house rules and road safety when out. For example, older children know to press the button at the pelican crossing and to wait for the green man before walking across the road. Children's welfare is priority in this household. Children are cared for by a suitable adult who has a clear understanding of child development. The childminder has

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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 completed vetting checks and demonstrates a strong knowledge of child protection. She knows where and how to record and report concerns in line with the local area child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are comfortable in their environment and make themselves at home. They have a clear understanding of areas to which they have free access. Children make independent choices in their play as they choose from a selection of well prepared and suitable age appropriate play materials. The childminder is attentive to the individual needs of the children. She recognises that children have differing needs and ensures that there are areas to both rest and play; dependent on the children’s preference. Through discussion the childminder stated that she is aware of the need to develop her skills in line with current supportive guidance in how to teach children through play. She currently uses the National Childminding Association (NCMA) ' Who Minds' magazine to gain ideas of activities and is currently accessing the 'Birth to three matters' guidance.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides an effective range of resources and activities to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children’s awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, dolls which represent different cultures and books about other countries. The childminder has access to a local toy library service and uses this provision to supplement and give increased range to her equipment. Children learn about their local community as they visit the local mother and toddler group and other amenities such as parks and activity centres. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder gives lots of praise for their achievements and meets their needs through the daily routine as discussed with their parents. The childminder ensures the maintenance of daily diaries in addition to daily discussion about the service provided. This keeps parents informed

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Helping children make a positive contribution

about their child's daily events inclusive of the meeting of individual care needs. The childminder also links via email to the parents which is an exceptional method of contact in an emergency and also is used to forward special event photographs such as the visit to 'Junglemania'. This truly allows parents to stay in touch and to feel part of their child's day. Although the childminder has a written procedure for parental complaints she has yet to implement recent legislative changes which involve the registered person taking full responsibility of documenting and managing the outcomes of any concerns about their service provision. Children show care and concern for each other and they behave very well in response to the childminder's consistent boundaries and high expectations. Children play together cooperatively sharing and taking turns.

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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 good. Children feel part of an extended family and are comfortable in the well-organised and inviting environment. Children confidently choose activities and extend their own play and learning in an imaginative way. The childminder effectively uses her unwritten procedures and routines to effectively promote the welfare, care and learning of all the children. All written parental permissions are in place. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to keep a medicine record signed by parents and obtain permission before administering any medication and to seek emergency aid. Children's health is promoted as the childminder has obtained all required consents and has an individual medication record book for each child. She was also required to keep a daily record of attendance. This is in place. The childminder was requested to ensure potential hazards within and outside the home are minimised, this referred to making sure that the poisonous ivy, trailing electrical leads and the water butt were inaccessible to children. Children's safety is promoted within the home as the ivy and the water butt have been removed from the garden and trailing electrical wires are now hidden behind furniture. Lastly the childminder was required to ensure children have access to an appropriate range of activities that

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Improvements since the last inspection

promote equality of opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice. Children benefit in developing an awareness of diversity as they socialise within the local community and access resources that reflect positive images.

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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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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): • enhance the outcomes for children aged from birth to three years by using an approach in line with 'Birth to three matters' • ensure there is a procedure in place to manage any complaints made by parents in line with current legislative guidance.

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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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