Short Stay School for Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 137490 Inspection date 22 February 2006 Inspector Deborah Wilkinson

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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 who was registered in 1992 lives with her husband and 2 teenage children in Neasden in the London Borough of Brent. The entire ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is a garden, although this is currently unsuitable for children to use. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 3 children at any one time and is currently minding 3 children aged 2 years, 19 months and 8 months. The childminder is not registered to care for children overnight.

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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 healthy and well looked after. They are cared for in a clean, well organised environment with good measures in place to prevent the spread of infection. Their welfare is safeguarded by the recording of information about their medical needs. The childminder helps the children learn about healthy living when she takes them to wash their hands and talks about the benefits of eating fruit. Children are active and their physical skills are developing. They have plenty of space to move around and although the garden is not currently used there are regular outings to a local park where they use the large play equipment. Children have a well balanced diet. They all have breakfast and depending on the circumstances the childminder cooks their lunch or parents provide the food. The records kept of dietary requirements ensure the children are given food they like and they have access to drinks throughout the day. During the inspection they sit together

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Helping children to be healthy

at the small table to have a party when they enjoy a chocolate biscuit, a drink and bowls of fresh fruit. Parents are informed of what their child has eaten when they talk to the childminder at the end of each day.

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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 comfortable and well organised environment. They have access to all the downstairs rooms but do not go upstairs apart from when the baby rests in his cot in one of the bedrooms. The children use the space well. They move between the rooms freely and the childminder is confident to let them go, although she listens for them and checks them regularly. The premises are safe as the childminder has identified and minimised the risks in the home. The garden is not used as a large quantity of building materials are stored here. Children have access to a good selection of resources which are well maintained, appropriate and suitable for their ages. Much of the equipment is stored in boxes on the floor, enabling the children to reach it easily. Children are kept safe when out as the childminder has appropriate procedures in place which include holding hands when crossing the road and talking to the children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

about road safety. There is a fire evacuation procedure which the children practise regularly. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has completed child protection training and fully understands her role and responsibilities with regard to keeping

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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 children safe. She is aware of possible signs of abuse and knows the procedures to follow if she has any concerns. However, the written information relating to the local procedures is not up to date.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are happy and comfortable in the home which is organised to provide them with space to play and move around freely. They are confident and choose what they want to play with from the range of equipment that is easily accessible to them. Children are building their confidence and self-esteem as they are frequently praised by the childminder. They enjoy looking at photographs of places they have visited and activities they have done, including having their faces painted or feeding the ducks. They have regular outings when they visit the local toddler group or go to the park. The children and the childminder have a very warm and loving relationship. Children are helped to fit the pieces of their puzzles together and are shown how to screw up the tissue paper for their pictures. They help the childminder to arrange the chairs for their party and laugh as they all play hide and seek.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy and content as the childminder cares for them effectively, helped by her sound knowledge of their individual needs and the written records kept for each of them. Children benefit from the good information shared between their parents and the childminder regarding routines, activities and achievements. They observe positive relationships when the childminder talks to their parents and gives them feedback about the daily routine. The children talk with the childminder about their lives at home, their families and the holiday one child is going on. Currently parents are not shown all the policies and procedures that are in place, however they are given a copy of the complaints procedure. Children have regular opportunities to meet people from different backgrounds when they are taken on outings. The childminder also recognises the value of living in a diverse multicultural community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a positive attitude to caring for children with special needs, although she has no previous experience in this area. The children are learning to share and consider others. They are helped by the childminder who uses positive language and gives them praise and encouragement. Children are confident to come to her for help to find a toy or for a cuddle when feeling a little weary.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a commitment to updating her knowledge of childcare issues. She attends training courses whenever possible and uses the information gained to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. Information is exchanged with parents and individual daily diaries are kept for each child. There are written procedures in place, however these are not currently shared with the parents. The children are happy and confident in the home which is arranged to provide them with space to play safely and move around freely. The childminder is well organised and the routines in place ensure children have regular outings and opportunities to meet other people. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the children who attend well.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has improved her provision for the children by developing the systems to safeguard their welfare. She has developed a complaints procedure that is available to parents, has a book to record any significant incidents and keeps a diary for each child where she details the daily routines.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted. 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

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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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • share the written policies, procedures and children's daily diaries with parents. • obtain a copy of the booklet "what to do if you are worried that a child is being abused"

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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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