Lingdale Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 111531 Inspection date 06 June 2005 Inspector Lisa Jane Cupples

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1991. She lives with her husband and two older children in a house in Waterlooville, a residential area of Hampshire. The premises are close to local schools, shops and parks. The ground floor is used for childminding with sleeping facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under eight years on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local pre-schools to take and collect children. The family have

p.2

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 pets and the childminder attends local parent and toddler groups weekly.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a healthy diet because the childminder has an understanding of the need to promote healthy eating from an early age. Children are not encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times to develop their self-care skills or to help prevent the spread of infection. Children are protected because the childminder understands the requirements to keep records of all accidents and administered medication. Children are beginning to understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle through daily exercise and outings to local parks where they can run and climb, developing their gross motor skills well. The resources and equipment are clean and well-maintained providing a healthy play environment for all the children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe and secure because the childminder is vigilant and addresses potential hazards immediately. The children learn about possible dangers through daily conversation and routines, for example, they know they should not play on the stairs because they might fall and get hurt. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor for minding effectively, which enables the children to move around freely building their confidence within the setting. Children are able to make choices about their activities, developing their independence. Children are protected because the childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and would recognise the possible signs of abuse.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children confidently use the wide range of equipment and resources to promote their development in all areas. The childminder has a good understanding of child development and provides equipment which is suitable for the range of children who attend. The children are happy and settled, laughing and giggling throughout the day, playing games, singing, dancing and chatting with each other and the childminder developing their confidence and self-esteem well. Children build strong relationships with the childminder through good interaction, conversation and participating fully in a broad range of activities. Children's progress is good because the childminder gets to know each child well and encourages them to think about the activities, talking about colours and shapes, counting and calculating during everyday routines. Children are keen to try new things and are encouraged to develop their skills, for example, by

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

writing their names on their art work and suggesting new ideas for games.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from using a range of resources which reflect a diverse society helping to develop their understanding of the world around them. The childminder's sound understanding of equal opportunities allow all children to participate fully and they are given the time needed to complete tasks, making them feel valued. The children interact well with each other and the childminder encourages them to think about each others needs, reminding them gently to share and take turns fairly during free-play. Children benefit from clear and consistent house rules, they behave well and are polite because they know exactly what is expected of them. The childminder is a positive role-model, reinforcing good behaviour with praise and encouragement, developing and building the children's self-esteem. Children benefit from the sound partnership with parents and their individual needs are discussed daily at arrival and

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

collection time, however there is no written parental consent for the childminder to take the children out, this could lead to confusion about the children's whereabouts.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children who attend. Children are occupied with a range of play opportunities during their time at the setting, as the childminder organises the daily routines well. Children's health, safety and well-being is promoted adequately because the childminder maintains all paperwork and legal documentation. Children enjoy their time with the childminder, the resources and activities are well organised, they provide sufficient challenge and the days are full and run smoothly. Children are not always protected by good procedures because not all adults in the household have been vetted.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure hazardous objects in the cloakroom cupboard are inaccessible to children, to ensure an emergency evacuation procedure is in place and children are made aware of it, to provide an appropriate range of resources that promote positive images of disability, to ensure all emergency contact numbers are taken on outings, to keep a written record of existing injuries to children and to obtain written parental consent to take children out. The childminder has ensured that all hazardous items have been removed from the cloakroom cupboard, an appropriate emergency evacuation procedure has been discussed with the children and parents and all emergency contact numbers are taken on outings, helping to keep the children safe. The childminder now records all existing injuries helping to protect the children and the childminder is continuing to increase the resources available to promote positive images of disability, developing

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

the children's understanding of the world around them and peoples different needs. The childminder has not obtained written consent from the parents to take children out, this could lead to confusion about the children's whereabouts.

p.4

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

p.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 children are encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times to promote and develop their self-care skills effectively • obtain written parental consent to take children out • ensure all members of the household, over the age of 16 years are vetted.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5