Catford School

Inspection report for early years provision

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126660 Unique Reference Number 09 May 2006 Inspection date Cilla Rachel Mullane Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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?

This childminder has been registered since 1997. She is registered to provide care for six children under eight years, of these, not more that three may be under five years, and of these, not more than one may be under one year. At present, the childminder cares for five pre school children, and one school aged child.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband, who assists her with childminding, and their three children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

They live in a house in Herne, Kent. The house is situated within walking distance of shops, schools and parks. The whole of the property floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends a carer and toddler group. She has early years qualifications.

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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 are cared for in a warm, clean home, where the childminder and her assistant employ very effective hygiene procedures. Children learn about the importance of keeping themselves clean when they are encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times. The use of individual towels and bedding help to prevent the spread of infection between children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder promotes children's good health by keeping clear and accurate accident and medication records. Children are protected in an emergency because the childminder has kept her first aid qualification up to date.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has obtained parents' written permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for the children. Consequently, she is able to act according to parents' wishes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to eat nutritious food. Therefore they are learning that it important to keep their bodies healthy. They are given healthy and nutritious food, showing them the importance of healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Plenty of drinks offered throughout the day help keep children hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical development is well promoted when they play in the large garden. Outings to a children's gym are a regular feature of the routine, where children have opportunities to use challenging outdoor equipment and release energy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The environment is very child friendly. When weather permits, children can move freely and safely from the playroom to the safe enclosed outside play area. As the childminder works with an assistant, children are well supervised at all times. Children confidently help themselves to toys and equipment from the cupboards. Children's work is prominently displayed, showing them it is valued.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are plenty of toys at low level for children to self select, all well maintained, and suitable and challenging for the ages of the minded children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play and learn in a very safe environment, where hazards have been carefully identified and eliminated by the use of risk assessments. In addition, the use of written records for checking smoke detectors help to ensure that this is done regularly, further protecting children. The childminder is vigilant and attentive to the children's safety, for example, taking steps to prevent a child from slipping during a balancing game.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's security when on the premises is paramount. Safety procedures, such as the use of passwords by people collecting children, contribute to their safety.

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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 Recent child protection training has been sought, giving the childminder a secure understanding of issues and procedures, and enabling her to act in the children's best interests with concerns. However, her child protection policy is quite basic, and does not reflect her knowledge and training.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled with the childminder, and enjoy the activities provided. Activities are based on a flexible timetable, which ensures children benefit from an exciting variety, and that all areas of learning are given equal consideration.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies receive good quality, affectionate one to one attention from both the childminder and her assistant. For example, a baby was fed quietly in the lounge, and cuddled up for a story after lunch. They understand that young children benefit from close individual attention, eye contact, and a feeling of security.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children take part in an exciting range of activities, such as painting and digging in the garden. The childminder responds quickly to children's interests in the provision of activities. For example, when a child wanted to play on a step, she turned this into a game, increasing and extending the child's enjoyment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children meet other children and adults in a safe environment when they attend music and movement groups.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is making effective use of the Birth to three matters framework in the recording of children's developmental progress, and is keen to extend its use to the planning of activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Inclusion is good. Activities are planned to enable all children to join in at different levels. As there are generally two adults present, older children can do activities such as painting, while babies receive close individual attention.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents have confidence in the childminder to respect children's individual routines, and meet their variety of needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder and her assistant manage children's behaviour effectively by giving children plenty of individual attention, distracting them from unwanted behaviour, and keeping them busy with interesting activities. Children therefore behave very well. Praise and encouragement show children that their contributions are valuable, and build their self esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is excellent, and friendly professional relationships are formed. Parents confirm that they are extremely pleased with their children's care, the quality of activities, the encouragement of their children's creativity, sensitive settling-in procedures, effective communication and thorough paperwork. Informative policies and procedures underpin the

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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 childminding, and are shared with parents. Careful contact books keep parents informed about their children's activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder's husband assists her with childminding, so children receive a great deal of good quality individual attention. The assistant plays a full part in the care of the children, and provides a caring and sensitive male role model for the children.

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Organisation

The childminder holds childcare qualifications, and children benefit from her attendance at relevant training courses, such as learning about the role of the adult in children's play, and the importance of planning the environment.

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Organisation

The organization of space is good. There is a playroom dedicated for the use of the children, and they can choose to play safely in an outside fenced area accessed from this room.

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Organisation

Organization of time is also good. The childminder is guided by a flexible timetable which ensures children take part in a wide range of activities.

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Organisation

All required documentation is kept efficiently. A well-maintained record of attendance shows that the childminder is working within the conditions of her registration. Her registration certificate is displayed, ensuring that parents are aware of these conditions. Careful permission forms help to ensure children are cared for according to parents wishes, and that parents are informed about the care of their children. For example, there is permission for outings and transport.

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Organisation

The childminder and her assistant meet the needs of the range of children for whom they provide.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to improve children's safety by considering improvements in the house and garden. The children are now kept safe on the premises. The childminder's assistant has now been checked by the Criminal Records Bureau, helping to further promote children's safety. The childminder has updated her knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures, so is able to act effectively if she is concerned about a child. Parents now confirm in writing that they have been informed regarding accidents and the administration of medication, helping to promote children's good health.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Complaints 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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Complaints 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

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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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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 parents receive thorough information regarding child protection procedures • continue to develop the use of the Birth to three matters framework in the planning and provision of activities for young children.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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