Peases West Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 114058 Inspection date 23 February 2006 Inspector Joanne Lindsey Caswell

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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 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?

The childminder has been registered since 1993. She lives with her husband and family in a residential part of Horsham, West Sussex. Shops, schools and the local park are close by. Childminding takes place on the ground floor. Children have access to a lounge/dining room and breakfast area. There is a ground floor cloakroom for toileting and hand washing. Sleep facilities are also provided on the ground floor. A fully enclosed garden provides an outside play area. The family have small pets. The childminder is registered to care for a total of 6 children aged under 8 years. She

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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 is currently caring for 6 children, who attend on a part time basis. The childminder is willing to collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about health and hygiene through the daily routine. The childminder teaches children the importance of regular hand washing. As a result, children understand that they must wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating, to assist their good health. Children's health and well-being is promoted well. The childminder uses effective strategies to ensure that any children who are suffering from an infectious illness, are excluded from her care. This ensures the protection and healthy development of all children. The childminder also ensures that each child's individual sleep routines are consistently followed. This enables all children to receive sufficient rest and sleep, according to their individual needs. Although the childminder is familiar with each child's personal health needs, the children's records do not contain accurate, written information on children's immunisation history. This restricts the childminder from

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Helping children to be healthy

keeping valid written health records on individual children. Children play in a very clean, well-maintained and hygienic environment. They have many opportunities to undertake daily exercise and play in the fresh air. Children undertake regular walks and play in the garden. They also visit the park, where they use a range of equipment to develop their physical skills. This enables children to undertake physical, robust exercise to enhance their development. Children's dietary needs are met well. The childminder discusses children's personal dietary needs with parents and agrees arrangements for the provision of meals. Food is stored safely and in accordance with environmental health regulations, to ensure it is safe for children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a very clean, child-orientated home, enabling children to be cared for in a secure and homely environment. The childminder is vigilant in ensuring children's safety. She identifies all potential hazards and takes the necessary precautions to protect children from harm. For example, children cannot access the stairs and the front door is secure, preventing children from leaving the premises unsupervised. Children play with a very good range of high quality, age appropriate toys and resources. Older children learn the importance of ensuring babies and younger children do not have access to toys with small pieces, which may present a choking

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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 hazard. Children are protected well in the event of an emergency. The childminder has arrangements in place to evacuate her premises safely and has identified a place of safety. This ensures that children's safety and welfare remains a high priority at all times and demonstrates that effective arrangements are in place to care for children, in the event of an emergency. Children are protected from harm, as the childminder demonstrates a very clear understanding of her responsibilities regarding child protection. This enables her to follow the relevant procedures, should she have any concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely settled, relaxed and at ease in the childminder's home. They respond happily and enthusiastically to the childminder and enjoy engaging in play with her. Children approach the childminder confidently and happily, understanding that they will be listened to and their needs will be understood. The childminder is extremely mindful in ensuring that she divides her attention equally, to ensure that she engages in play and conversation with all children, to stimulate their differing needs and interests. Children have excellent play opportunities and engage in a very good range of games and activities. They use their imagination and creativity to play with the role play tea set and dolls. They develop their number and counting skills as they enjoy counting out the cups. Children delight in sharing stories and looking at books with the childminder, joining in with familiar words to develop their language skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's developmental needs are recognised and addressed. They play with a very good range of age-appropriate play materials, which encourage curiosity, independence and enthusiasm for learning. Children regularly undertake outings and visits away from the setting. They visit the local parks and socialise with other children. This enables children to broaden their experiences and develop an understanding of the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with respect and their individual needs are identified and addressed. They play with resources which reflect diversity within society, enabling them to develop positive attitudes towards equality and to feel valued as individuals. The childminder actively promotes anti-discriminatory practice in all areas of her childminding. This ensures that children are treated fairly. There is provision in place to support children with special needs. The childminder is

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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 committed to welcoming all children into her home and adapting her routine to meet any specific care needs. Children behave very well. The childminder displays a very calm and competent approach to managing behaviour and, as a result, children respond positively. Children receive clear explanations and enjoy high levels of praise and reassurance, creating a very positive and fair environment. Unacceptable behaviour is dealt with effectively and sensitively, as the childminder uses age appropriate strategies. This enables children to quickly recognise 'right' from 'wrong'. The childminder ensures parents receive plenty of feedback regarding their children's daily achievements. This enables parents to feel involved in their children's day and be fully informed of their daily activities. Written parental consent is on file, ensuring

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Helping children make a positive contribution

that children's care routines are discussed and agreed.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder provides a well-organised childminding service. The daily routine is flexible around the children's differing needs and is adapted accordingly, wherever necessary. Time is set aside each day to cater for children's sleep and meal times and sufficient time is given for outings and play. Toys and play materials are organised well, enabling children to access them freely. The childminder is aware of the conditions of her registration. She organises her childminding routines effectively, to ensure she consistently complies with the conditions of her registration. Children are protected well, as all adults living in the household have been suitably vetted. All regulatory documentation is in place and is maintained in full. Most records are organised well, although the current format for recording accidents, does not ensure confidentiality between children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last Ofsted inspection, it was noted that the childminder's first aid certificate needed updating. The childminder has addressed this by completing a recognised first aid course. This ensures that she has an up-to-date knowledge of first aid procedures, to enable her to provide appropriate treatment to children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they

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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 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 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 information obtained from parents regarding children's health needs is regularly reviewed and updated • review the format for recording accidents to ensure confidentiality

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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: 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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