Robsack Wood Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 141263 Inspection date 24 March 2006 Inspector Carol Brown

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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 since 1984. She lives with her husband and 3 adult children. They live in the Chingford area of the London borough of Waltham Forest. The ground floor of the property and 2 bedrooms are used for minding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder may care for no more than 6 children under 8 years at any one time. She is currently caring for 3 children, 2 of whom attend on a part time basis. 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 enjoy a diverse range of activities, which contribute to their good health. They are cared for in a warm, clean home where they are learning about personal care and hygiene. Effective daily routines help children to understand the value of exercise, healthy eating and the importance of hand washing to prevent the spread of infection. Children who are infectious do not attend, therefore, reducing the risk of the spread of contagious ailments. Regular outdoor activities support children's physical development and well-being. They are able to access new challenges and develop already acquired physical skills. Children benefit from a healthy, balanced diet and have access to drinks at all times. They are able to develop their knowledge and understanding of healthy foods as they are offered choices from healthy alternatives. Parents are consulted about their children's dietary requirements including individual preferences.

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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 warm and welcoming home where risks are identified and minimised, for example, safety gates are in place to prevent unauthorised access to areas of the home. Children are able to move around safely and independently. The childminder gives priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, children are encouraged to tidy up after using toys and play equipment to prevent trip hazards. Younger children are able to have an undisturbed rest in a first floor bedroom. The childminder is vigilant about sleeping children's safety and monitors them by means of regular visual checks. The children have access to a varied range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. Children have easy and safe access to toys and resources that are stimulating and suitable for their stage of development. There are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

effective systems in place for the safe arrival and departure of children. For example, they are only released into the care of a known adult. Children are well protected. The childminder has a good understanding of the physical and emotional signs, which could indicate child protection concerns and the appropriate action to take to report concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well at the childminder's home. They relate well to the childminder and have the opportunity to socialise with other children through regular attendance at local drop in groups, trips to library and local parks.

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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 Children are becoming competent learners as they are able to make choices, explore, investigate and problem solve. This is supported by the childminder, as she is responsive to children's interests and offers praise and encouragement. Children spend their time purposefully and are actively engaged and interested in the activities provided. Children's access to resources is well met and they are able to make free choice to toys and play materials. These are easily accessible and stored at the children's level. Younger children's learning is supported through the childminder's understanding of their development needs. Children's language is supported as the childminder encourages them to identify characters in favourite stories. However, this could be further supported through the use of the Birth to three matters framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are provided with a few resources and activities, which helps them to develop their knowledge and understanding of the wider community. Children are respected as individuals and have access to some resources, which reflect diversity in society. This is helping children to develop a sense of self and the world around them. Children's behaviour is generally good. This is as a result of the childminder developing consistent methods for managing behaviour, which takes into account the age, level of understanding and maturity of individual children. Children are learning important social skills, for example, sharing and learning when it is appropriate to say please and thank you. Relationships with parents are supportive and they feel welcome at the childminder's home. Children's needs are generally well met and their routines are verbally shared with parents on a regular basis. Parents are consulted as to their children's individual

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Helping children make a positive contribution

care needs and the services provided by the childminder, thereby ensuring adequate continuity of care. However, this could be further supported by having a written complaints procedure and details of the service provided. Parents provide the childminder with relevant information regarding their children to enable appropriate care. For example, information relating to individual dietary requirements and relevant health information.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides. Children benefit from a well-organised environment where they receive good adult support to help them feel secure. Parents are provided with information relating to the services provided by the childminder and are given daily verbal reports on their child's progress. Procedures are used effectively. Children's care and development is supported through the childminder's knowledge and understanding of their developmental needs. There are systems in place to keep children safe and enable them to make progress.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection, an action was raised in relation to ensuring that all household members over the age of 16 had been appropriately vetted, this has not been sufficiently addressed and the childminder must apply for the necessary forms in order for these checks to be processed. An action was also raised in relation to ensuring that the childminder did not exceed the number of children that she is registered to care for, this has now been complied with.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted has received one complaint relating to National Standard 6 - Safety and National Standard 7 - Health. Concerns were raised regarding the supervision of a minded child and the childminder smoking in the presence of minded children. Ofsted investigated these concerns by carrying out an unannounced inspection and raised two actions which were addressed by the provider. Ofsted was satisfied the National Standards had been met and the provider remains qualified for registration. 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • continue to develop resources which present positive images of society • devise a written complaints procedure, which sets out the process for complaints and a timescale for a response

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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:

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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 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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