Delius Special School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 135235 Inspection date 30 January 2006 Inspector Arda Halls

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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 was registered in 1995. She lives with her children aged 8 and 10 years and godson aged 16 years in the London Borough of Westminster. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for no more than 8 children under 8 years while working with another childminder; of these, not more than 6 may be under 5 years, and of these, not more than 2 may be under 1 year at any one time. There are 8 children on register, 5 of whom are children aged over 5 years and are cared for

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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 before and after school. The childminder walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local childminders group, library and a local leisure centre jungle gym and is a member of a local childminder support group and of the National Childminding Association. The childminder has experience of supporting and caring for children with special needs and with children speaking English as an additional language. The childminder regularly works with another registered childminder. The childminder is a qualified NNEB practitioner, the second childminder is qualified with NVQ level 3 in childcare. The childminder is currently attending a childminding network course.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted as the childminder sustains a high level of cleanliness throughout her home. The children are well protected from unnecessary illness as the childminder has procedures in place to help stop the spread of germs; such as developing good self-care skills, as children are encouraged to wash their hands before and after meals and after using the toilet. Good policies and procedures are in place for first aid, accidents and medication, which ensures children are well cared for. The individual dietary needs of the children are met by the childminder as she prepares a good range of healthy foods for children, such as providing spaghetti bolognaise accompanied by lightly cooked vegetables and fruits to follow. Children sit and eat comfortably at the table and they really enjoy sociable meal times with the childminder as she sits and chats to them. They are offered and are able to access

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Helping children to be healthy

drinking water independently from their individual feeder cup at any time so that they are not thirsty. Children are developing well physically as they have access to a well-maintained garden. Here they have the opportunity to run around in a secure environment and benefit from regular daily physical exercise and fresh air. They have a great time playing with the toys indoors as it is a extremely cold day, and they laugh with excitement as they sing and move about to the music. They also go for walks to local parks and the library and have frequent outings transported in the people mover especially for their use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home is immediately welcoming for children as they arrive into a child friendly environment. This outstanding space has been well organised to help children to explore independently and to rest, eat and play comfortably. A wide range of good quality furniture and equipment is readily available to meet the children's individual needs. Children are also able to access a good range of play equipment

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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 that is also in good condition and clean. Children are safe and secure on the premises as the childminder has taken thorough steps to ensure her home is safe. Children are checked at intervals by the childminder while they are sleeping although she usually has a CTV camera to better assist the monitoring. Safety gates are in place to prevent children having unsupervised access to the kitchen. Younger children are beginning to learn how to keep safe as the childminder explains to the children about keeping safe both indoors and outdoors. The childminder gives high priority to making sure children will be safe in an emergency such as evacuating when the fire alarm is sounded. She has devised a detailed written plan, and this is practised with the children. This helps to ensure that children are escorted to safety

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

quickly. Children’s welfare is protected through the childminder’s good understanding of her role and responsibility in child protection. She understands the procedures to follow if she is concerned about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children of all ages are very relaxed and comfortable in the care of the childminder. The interaction between the childminder and children is very friendly and caring and they receive lots of individual attention. Consequently, the children are very happy and confident in their environment. They have lots of fun and play enthusiastically with a good range of toys and resources, which fully promote their learning. They are curious and excited by the wide range of activities offered; such as, exploring and discovering their senses, they respond to what they see and they build their construction toys with great joy, laughing and giggling with the childminder. They have a great time listening to music and singing simple rhymes. They enjoy the repetition of the songs and are aware of what song is coming next. They are beginning to develop good social skills as the childminder encourages the children to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

play well together. Children listen well to instructions, following songs accompanied by movement. Children enjoy looking at photo albums and discussing where they have been, they are finding out that the pictures and accompanying print carry meaning. They show great excitement at recognizing themselves and their friends and talk to each other about their favourite activities. Children are using their language very well, because the childminder encourages the children to chat about the things that they are doing and things they find of most interest. They are able to express their needs confidently and request toys that they wish to play with. The childminder's good use of the Birth to Three Matters framework supports children's achievements. For example, the children are making connections as they know that when tidying up, where the toys go and what procedures to follow before lunch. Children are making good progress in all areas of their development as the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder has a very good understanding of how children learn and develop.

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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 As children are fully engaged in meaningful play, their behaviour is good. The childminder uses age-appropriate and positive strategies to manage any difficulties that may arise. Good manners are also reinforced which helps to create a relaxed and harmonious atmosphere. They are developing good confidence and self-esteem, because the childminder encourages the children in their daily activities. She gives the children praise and encouragement when they have done something well. For example, younger children are given praise when they help with the tidying up of activities to get ready for lunch. Children with special needs are welcome in the childminder’s home as she has an outstanding positive attitude towards this area of childcare. Through the variety of resources provided, children are developing a

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Helping children make a positive contribution

positive view of the wider world; such as, children have access to a variety of books and dolls that represent people of different cultures as well as mixing and painting with skin tone paints. Children are valued and their individual needs are met because the childminder spends time getting to know them well. The required documentation is shared with parents and children receive the appropriate care as the childminder discusses and records individual care arrangements with parents. Children are very happy and content because the childminder has very good relationships with the parents. They work together to meet the children's individual care and developmental needs. Children’s routines and activities are shared with parents daily as the childminder records their daily activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children feel comfortable and at ease within the childminders home environment. She organises the day to include a good variety of indoor play activities and physical exercise outdoors. This helps to ensure the progress of children's individual development and learning. Through her frequent attendance on training courses, the childminder is enhancing her skills and knowledge of a variety of childcare related topics. For example, she has attended Birth to Three Matters training. As a result, the children's experiences in the care of the childminder remain positive and in-line with current good-practice. The childminder has in place well organised documentation which includes outstanding policies and procedures which are used effectively to support the well-being of the children. She maintains up-to-date records which are shared with parents. Children enjoy the time they spend with the childminder as she

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Organisation

has a sound knowledge and understanding of caring for children and she meets their welfare and care needs effectively. This means, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection no recommendations were made, however, the childminder has continued to reflect and improve the quality of the care she provides. These further improvements have a positive impact on the good quality care provided such as the new home corner area for children to play in. A spare room has been organised into an office and storage room with new cupboards in both the office and playroom. Toy boxes and files have been well labelled including grouping of toys such as toys for a

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Improvements 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 "farm theme". The childminder also has her daughter working alongside her as a fully registered childminder and has a "back up carer" who visits twice a week to familiarise herself with the children should any emergencies arise.

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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 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): • further develop the systems for monitoring sleeping children

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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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