Churchfield Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 102019 Inspection date 14 February 2006 Inspector Marcia Robinson

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 was registered in 1995. She works with her co-childminder and lives with her adult niece who is also registered as her assistant. They live in a two bedroom first floor flat in the NW8 area of the London Borough of Camden. The premises are close to various bus routes and tube stations including Belsize Park and Chalk Farm. Areas used for childminding are the living room and toilet and washing facilities, which are all on one level. There is a small outdoor area nearby. The family have no pets.

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 The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children under 8 years when working on her own, or a maximum of 6 children under 8 years when working with her co- childminder. She is currently minding 5 children under 5 years.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean hygienic environment where appropriate personal hygiene routines are in place to minimise the risk of infection. For example, the childminder uses individual towels and flannels and effective hand washing procedures are followed. Children's welfare is not completely ensured because the childminder does not hold a current first aid certificate. Children are provided with food and drink brought in by their parents and some which are provided by the childminder. The childminder offers some nutritious and well balanced meals although, lunch on the day of inspection consisted of fried salmon, fried vegetables, boiled rice and lentils. In addition, younger children were allowed to eat fish when parents agreed rice and lentils only. This means that children's health care needs are not completely met as they are not always being offered food using

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

the most healthy option and parents wishes are not respected at all times. Children have sufficient access to outdoor play and fresh air because the childminder takes them to the local park, library and local drop as a regular part of their daily routine.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a generally warm and welcoming environment, although space is not always used to its fullest potential to meet children's care needs. For example, a separate room is not available to allow children to have undisturbed sleep. However, the childminder has arranged to carry out a risk assessment of one of the bedrooms to ensure safe facilities are provided and available for children to rest. Children make some decisions about what they want to play with as the childminder sets out a suitable range of toys and activities before the children arrive. However, not all resources are stored appropriately, the majority are kept in large storage boxes and are stacked at least two boxes high. This poses some safety risks to children, if the boxes are pulled down by a child. This arrangement also limits children's ability to make choices and gain independence skills.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a suitable range of equipment that meets their daily care needs. For example, travel cots, highchair and child sized tables and chairs are available. Children benefit from a good range of safety measures and equipment such as safety gates in place to ensure their safety whilst they are in the home.

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 has a satisfactory understanding of child protection issues. Although, her knowledge could be developed further in this area. She knows what action to take if she has concerns about a child in her care.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a caring attitude towards the children and are happy and settled in her care. She works with another childminder and they have started to use a basic plan to meet the children's needs. Children are learning to be independent as they choose from a suitable range of toys and play materials, which the childminder sets out for them before they arrive. Children are interested in the suitable range of activities and play opportunities available, including cutting and sticking, drawing and role play with dolls and pushchairs. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of children's developmental needs. She offers a varied range of activities to support their learning. There is a suitable range of play materials and activities available for children under three years but the range of resources for older children is limited in variety and so does not fully

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder talks to children about other cultures, festivals and teaches children a few key words in her first language in order to increase children's awareness of diversity. Children's opportunities to experience from resources that reflect positive images are limited, for example there are four books and one doll. The childminder is aware that her resources are limited and so compensates by arranging regular visits to the local library where children have access to a wider range of books, including those that reflect positive images. Children are learning right from wrong and are well behaved. They respond well to being praised for their efforts and achievements. However, children's behaviour is not always managed in a consistent way between the childminders. Children's needs are known to the childminder through discussion with parents. Parents are welcomed into the childminder's home. They are verbally informed of

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

their child's welfare, care and learning through a few written procedures and daily discussions at the beginning and end of the day.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

p.4

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 are adequately cared for as the childminder is able to show all relevant checks have been completed on adults living on the premises and those working with the children. The organisation of space and resources does not always ensure children's needs are being met effectively. For example, a separate room is not available for children to have undisturbed sleep and resources are not always stored safely. The childminder does not currently have up to date first aid but she is aware that she must update this training without delay. The correct adult to child ratio is maintained to ensure children receive a satisfactory level of individual attention. Children's needs are adequately met because all mandatory records are in place.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made improvements in addressing the actions raised at the last inspection. Safety aspects of the home have improved as the childminder has made floor coverings safe. Some improvements have been made to children's care, learning and play. The childminder now ensures children are provided with adequate quantities of food. Play opportunities and the provision of activities for children has been addressed appropriately for younger children but older children are not being sufficiently challenged in the range of play materials provided. The childminder has made some improvement to space and resources, for example she has now organised resources although they are not all easily accessible to children. The childminders have a basic plan in place to assist joint working with her co-childminder but a consistent approach to managing children's behaviour is not always followed.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 Ofsted has received one complaint, relating to National Standards 1 and 2. The concern raised was about minded children being left on their own whilst the childminder went shopping. An Ofsted inspector made an unannounced visit and discussed the issues. No evidence was found relating to National Standard 1 and 2. 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.

p.5

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

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

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): • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • ensure children are provided with healthy and nutritious food and that parents wishes are respected at all times. • develop consistent ways of managing children's behaviour when working jointly with another childminder. • develop further knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. • ensure that resources are safely accessible to children. • increase the variety and range of activities and play materials available for older children

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.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

p.6