Lincoln Myle Cross Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 120431 Inspection date 08 September 2005 Inspector Deborah Jaqueline Newbury

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 registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and 18 years of age in a residential area of the village of West End in Surrey. The house is in walking distance of such local amenities as the park and shops. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to mind a maximum of six children under 8 years of age. She is currently caring for one child aged 6, before and after school and five children who are over 8 years of age. The

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 childminder's service is confined to before and after school care, with occasional holiday care. The childminder collects children from local schools. She includes some outings to the park after school but takes children further afield if she is minding during school holidays.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children rest or are active according to their individual need. They have free access to the rear garden in good weather or can choose to go and sit in the lounge and relax if they prefer. Children enjoy playing outside in the garden. They take it in turns to bounce on the trampolines and help one another to do handstands. The childminder provides them with a variety of other outdoor play equipment such as footballs, swing ball and badminton equipment which offers them further choice and enables them to develop their skills. They take exercise as they walk back to the childminder's house each day after school. Children sometimes go to the park when there is sufficient time before they are due to be collected. Children have their evening meal at home with parents but the childminder provides them with an after school snack. She recognises that children are likely to be hungry

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

and therefore prepares food in advance so it is ready and waiting for when they wish to eat. This practice does, however, mean that there are missed opportunities to include children in the preparation of food to enhance their understanding of healthy options and to encourage them to try different things. The childminder takes into account children's preferences and parents' wishes over the type of food she supplies. Children gain understanding of the need to drink regularly as the childminder makes a point of talking about the hot weather and the importance of everyone having a drink. Drinks are easily accessible to children at all times. The childminder monitors their fluid intake and encourages children who haven't had anything to drink to do so. The childminder's home is clean and comfortable and offers a pleasant environment for children. She has good procedures in place to minimise the potential for the

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

spread of infection and help children stay healthy. Children learn about good personal hygiene practises as part of the daily routine. They are aware of when they need to wash their hands and talk about this. However, in practise, they sometimes forget, for example, before eating their snack. The childminder does not notice or comment on this. Failure to remind children of the importance of washing their hands could result in them receiving mixed messages and could impact adversely on their good health.

p.3

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 The childminder understands her responsibility to safeguard children at all times. She is aware of possible signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect and keeps relevant documentation which explains the action she should take if she has any concerns, readily to hand. She also notifies parents of her responsibility with regard to this. Whilst the childminder has put together a written child protection policy, this does not accurately reflect Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) procedures. She has a valid First Aid certificate in place and takes steps to protect children from unvetted persons. The childminder assesses and adapts her home according to the ages and stage of development of the children present. Existing safety precautions are mostly appropriate although arrangements to restrict children’s independent access to one

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

area of the garden are not as robust as they could be. Children gain understanding of potential dangers and learn ways to keep themselves safe through the input of the childminder and the setting of boundaries that are consistently applied. There are very clear safety rules for children using the trampolines and parents have given their written consent for this. Children understand that only one child may go on the trampoline at a time and they learn about road safety when walking back to the childminder's house after school. Suitable security and fire safety precautions contribute to their overall safety. The childminder talks to children about what to do in the event of a fire to raise their awareness but they do not currently practice fire drills. Children are not permitted to open the front door. The childminder reminds them of this house rule when, on hearing the door bell sound, they race ahead of her.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Play materials and other resources are age and stage appropriate and of clean condition. The childminder regularly checks items to ensure that they are safe and ready for children to use.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. There is a warm, homely atmosphere evident at this childminder's home with relaxed, happy children who are secure, both in the company of each other and with their carer. They know each other well and enjoy good relationships. Children refer to one another and the childminder by name. The childminder spends time talking to them and they respond positively to her clear interest in how they have spent their day at school. They are keen to share their news and answer her questions. Children display confidence in their environment as they wander freely between the lounge and kitchen and out into the garden. They remain engrossed in their own choice of activity, be it playing outside or participating in art and craft activities. They enjoy rummaging around in the craft box and choosing items from this. The childminder purchases some resources from an educational supplier's catalogue

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

which adds greater variety to their choice of materials. Decorating templates which they will use to create three dimensional trinket boxes is very popular and they concentrate well whilst doing this. Children know that if they do not finish, they can put their creations back in the craft box for another time, and are secure in the knowledge that they will remain safe.

p.4

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 Toys, games, and craft materials are easily accessible by the children themselves. Thus, they make their own decisions about what they do and enjoy a sense of independence. The childminder rotates play materials to keep children's play provision fresh and she has regard for their changing interests.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children become familiar with their local environment as they walk home from school each day and when they sometimes visit a local shop to spend the small amount of money the childminder gives them as a treat. The childminder uses these occasions to broaden their awareness of the local community as she encourages them to look around and talk about the things they see. Children get on well together. They chat freely amongst themselves and show kindness to one another. The childminder treats everyone with the same level of concern and gives equal attention to all, both minded children and her own. She seeks children's opinions, for example, over the new colouring pens she has bought them. Children have good access to a mixed range of play materials. However, there is very little available that reflects positive images and different aspects of diversity to build on children's awareness of the wider world in which we live.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are polite and well behaved. They respond well to the childminder's gentle reminders about sharing and taking turns. Her use of meaningful praise and her kind, caring manner helps children feel valued and good about themselves. Children benefit from the positive and friendly relationships the childminder has formed with their parents. Unhurried handovers, the sharing of most polices and procedures, the seeking of written consent for different aspects of care and the informal exchange of information at the end of the day means that parents are mostly well informed about their children and the provision. The childminder does not, however, make parents aware of the procedure to follow should they have a complaint.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. Required documentation and other records which contribute to the welfare and safety of children and the overall safe management of the provision are mostly in place. The childminder has put together a portfolio of nicely presented information about her family and her childminding service which she shares with parents. There are mostly suitable procedures in place to ensure confidentiality. Effective organisation within the childminder's home enables children to move around freely and independently. They have sufficient space to sit and play in comfort and help themselves to a range of suitable play equipment. Children display a sense of belonging as they choose where they wish to be and what they want to do. All

p.5

Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 children receive good levels of support and encouragement from a childminder who shares her time equally amongst everyone. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were made relating to some aspects of recordkeeping and the seeking of written consents, the sharing of information about child protection with parents and the provision of a range of activities and resources that reflect diversity to help children gain greater understanding of the world in which we live. The childminder has addressed all recommendations appropriately, with the exception of the provision of resources that reflect different aspects of diversity. This remains an area for attention following this inspection. Parents give written consent for their children to be transported by car and for the childminder to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. The attendance register now reflects the hours children are present at her home and parents sign the medication record. They are aware of the childminder's responsibility with regard to child protection. These measures positively contribute to the safety and welfare of

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.6

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 the child protection procedure complies with those of the local Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) • make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the

p.6

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 procedure to be followed if they have a complaint • ensure greater consistency with regard to hand washing to minimise the potential for the spread of infection • ensure children have access to a suitable range of resources and activities that reflect positive images and different aspects of diversity to help them gain greater awareness of the wider world in which we live • assess the risks to children in relation to the pond and surrounding area and take action to minimise these.

p.6

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.7

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.7