Pegasus Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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103379 Unique Reference Number 10 May 2006 Inspection date Virginia Cooper Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 was registered in 1987. She lives with her husband and adult children in Walderslade, Chatham. Children use most of the ground floor of the childminder’s house, one of the rooms is used for sleeping only. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding five children, one child is full-time and the other four are part-time.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder occasionally attends the local parent/toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has a pet cat and fish in a pond in the garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 satisfactory. The home is kept clean and clutter free providing children with a pleasant environment for playing. Children have a close relationship with the childminder and are very comfortable and 'at home'.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder generally takes steps to prevent the spread of infection to promote the good health of children in her care. For example, she does not care for children who are contagious and she encourages children to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. When she changes nappies, children are placed on a blanket that provides additional comfort but is difficult to keep hygienically clean, and therefore, may result in cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder does not pay sufficient attention to her procedures for administering medication. For example, not all written permission obtained from parents is dated and on the rare occasion the childminder has given medication the exact amount given is not recorded. Parents are, therefore, not adequately informed and children's good health may be at risk.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder's first aid qualification is about to expire; she is looking for a local course to renew her certificate, to enable her to administer first aid to children in the event of an accident or emergency. The recording of accidents is minimal and lacks detail, for example, the specific location of an injury is not always recorded. She has not recorded minor accidents and only informed parents verbally of these incidents. This results in limited information being available in the future, if any complications arise due to an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy plenty of fresh air; they regularly play in the garden and visit the park ensuring they get plenty of exercise.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has agreed with parents that generally she provides the children’s lunch and snacks. She ensures that the food is healthy and nutritious and parents know what their child has eaten. Children are offered new foods to try and the childminder is successful at encouraging them to be more adventurous in what they will eat. Children are offered drinks regularly to prevent them being thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has carried out an initial risk assessment providing a generally safe environment where children play safely with age appropriate toys. They cannot access upstairs; gates prevent them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Safety equipment is in place; however, older children can reach knife blocks in the kitchen and mouthwash is accessible in the bathroom, and this is not recommended for young children. The pond is on a decked area in the garden and the fence surrounding it is made of wooden spindles. Some of the gaps between these spindles are wider than most and children slight in stature may be able to access the deep water, which is dangerous.

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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 The childminder selects toys and resources that are suitable for the age of the children attending; these are rotated to prevent children from becoming bored. They are checked regularly to ensure there are no broken parts that can harm a child.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder understands her responsibility to protect children from harm and knows the procedures she will follow if she has concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder understands the importance of providing age appropriate activities; therefore, children have opportunities to learn whilst they play and enjoy themselves. She interacts with them well. Children attend happily. They play cooperatively and are good friends. Children choose what they want to play with from a selection of toys. They are confident and ask if they want to do something else. They frequently undertake art and craft activities encouraging their creative skills. They are keen to chat with the childminder and readily share their achievements with her. This allows them to develop a pride in their work and good self-esteem. Play indoors and outdoors, walks and visits ensure children have plenty of opportunities to exercise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is aware of the framework Birth to three matters, but she has not introduced many natural resources into the play equipment. Most toys are manufactured, colourful and made of plastic; therefore, children's access to natural materials is limited.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals, differences are embraced and every child is treated with equal concern. They frequently talk about things that are important to them, for instance, their home life and their family members. Children are treated as an extension of the childminder's family providing them with consistent, flexible care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has not cared for children with special needs. She is unlikely to accept a child whose needs dictate they require one-to-one attention because of the other children she looks after. She considers she will recognise if a child is not developing as might be expected. She will discuss any concerns with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children respond well to positive praise and encouragement, helping them understand the difference between right and wrong. Children negotiate successfully with one another to get what they want or when they want to change games. They are kind to one another and have a sense of fairness. They share nicely.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder exchanges information verbally with parents. Children benefit from this close cooperation between the childminder and their parents. It enables the childminder to provide consistent care and check that the children’s progress at home and with them is similar. The parents do not have written information that would help them make a complaint about the childminder's service. The childminder has not decided how she will record complaints, any

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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 action taken and the outcome of any investigation, to provide a summary on request to any parent of a child for whom she acts as a childminder and Ofsted.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. All adults in the household have Criminal Records Bureau checks and these are available for parents to see.

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Organisation

The daily programme is flexible; children choose freely what they want to play with from a variety of toys to keep them amused. The childminder chats with the children as they play encouraging their communication skills. The childminder takes advantage of good weather to take the children out in the local community.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps all the documentation that relates to her childminding business together and confidentially. She keeps all the required records but these are not always sufficiently detailed. She is still in the process of obtaining relevant written parental permission. She has a written service statement. It very briefly outlines the service provided to give new parents an idea of what is offered for their child.

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Organisation

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 inspection two recommendations were made that relate to Standard 12 and Standard 14.

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Improvements since the last inspection

It was recommended that the childminder include Ofsted's telephone number in the information provided for parents and review and update policies, procedures and paperwork.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She believes all the parents know the Ofsted telephone number but she has still not included this on any written information given to the parents. She has only very recently obtained written parental permission to transport children in a vehicle and this task is not complete for all parents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This continued lack of attention to detail in some of her record keeping may have a negative impact on the children, therefore, similar recommendations are included after this inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Complaints 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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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

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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): • ensure the procedures for giving and recording the administration of medication are clear and in sufficient detail to ensure children's good health is not at risk. Update First Aid qualification • ensure that nappy changing procedures consider issues of cross infection • ensure that children cannot squeeze through the spindles used in the fencing around the pond and access the water • ensure all hazardous substances are inaccessible to children, for example, mouthwash. Remove knife blocks to a place where they are inaccessible to children • consider how parents know how to make a complaint. Make preparations and decide how you will record complaints, any action taken, and the outcome of any investigation and provide a summary on request to any parent of a child for whom you act as a

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The quality and standards of the care

childminder and Ofsted • review the methods used for keeping records. In particular whether you record events in sufficient detail and update regularly enough to maintain up-to-date records that are accurate

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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