Sense College Loughborough

Inspection report for early years provision

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131990 Unique Reference Number 22 March 2006 Inspection date Lindsay Ann Farenden 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 has been registered since June 1998 and lives with her husband and 2 children aged 10 and 4, and 1 adult child. The childminder lives in a 4-bedroom terraced house in New Malden close to local bus routes, shops and parks. The ground floor areas are used for childminding. One bedroom is used for sleeping purposes only. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play with a pond.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for three children at any one time and is currently minding two children, both of whom attend on a part time basis.

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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 cared for in a clean, warm home where they are helped to learn about good hygiene practice, such as washing hands before meals. The childminder herself demonstrates good hygiene awareness, when preparing foods and during nappy changing to reduce the risk of cross contamination.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children are provided with foods, which meet their dietary needs. Children are provided with nutritious meals which help them develop healthy eating habits from a young age. For example, they have freshly cooked foods which includes organic vegetables, fruit and good quality meat. Children learn the benefits of a healthy diet through discussions with the childminder. Children are provided with ample drinks, which are made easily accessible to them. This ensures children do not get dehydrated or thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities to take part in a wide range of activities, which contribute to their good health. They ride bikes and play various games in the garden which promote their physical skills. Children benefit from being taken on walks, visiting parks on a regular basis, where they play ball games, use swings and large climbing equipment. This helps children develop control of their bodies and ensures they receive plenty of fresh air and exercise. Children have time to relax as well as be active according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder keeps documentation to record accidents and any medication given. This ensures that children’s health needs are met and information is shared with the parents. The childminder holds a first aid certificate, which means she can give appropriate care if a child has an accident. Children are protected in a medical emergency situation, because the childminder has written parental consent for emergency medical treatment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to move around the home safely, because the childminder has taken action to minimise risks by making hazardous items inaccessible to them. The childminder supervises the children in the garden at all times. This is to ensure children's safety due to a pond with a low fence and a water butt in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The risk of accidents outside the home are reduced, because the childminder is conscientious about ensuring children are safe on outings. For example, she holds children's hands and talks to them about, looking before crossing the road. Children wear appropriate restraints when travelling in the vehicle and are taught not to undo their seat belt, until the car has fully stopped. To help children learn about keeping themselves safe, the childminder explains to children what to do if they ever get lost.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are supervised throughout the day, due to appropriate organisation of the childminder and the layout of the areas used for childminding. Children choose activities from a range of

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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 clean, quality toys. The childminder makes sure they suitable for their age and stage of development, so children can play safely. They are regularly rotated, so children have opportunities to play with a variety of resources.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected by the childminder's suitable knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child. For children’s safety all fire precaution equipment is fitted appropriately and the smoke alarms are in working order. Children and the childminder have practised the emergency evacuation procedures on an occasional basis. This helps them begin to be aware of procedures to follow in the event of a fire.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are settled and confident within the childminders home and relate well to her, because she is very welcoming and friendly towards them. This contributes to their sense of belonging within the home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the childminder's organisation of the play materials to meet their developmental needs and interests. Children spend their time purposefully and are motivated to play and enjoy choosing from a variety of toys, books and which appeal to them. They use their imagination well playing with figures of people, dolls and dressing up clothes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's fine motor skills are developed through doing puzzles and accessing drawing materials at all times. They enjoy a good range of activities which contribute to their creativity, such as painting, craft activities , baking, singing and dancing to music. Children have access to books at all times and enjoy looking at them. This helps to develop children’s interest in books and extend their language development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder helps children to learn when they are on outings. For example, when shopping she asks children what colour the vegetables are, talks to them about number on houses, the colour of cars and different plants and birds they see. To extend children's knowledge, children are taken on some outing to places of interest, such as the aquarium and Hampton Court palace.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are well met as the childminder undertakes discussions with the parent's regarding children's care, before she begins caring for them. She follows their normal routine as much as possible and agrees with parents any changes to it. The childminder shares information with the parent's on a daily basis about their child's day, which ensures continuity of care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about the local and wider community from visiting parks and places of interest. They increase their awareness of diversity through a good range of toys reflecting diversity, which are fully integrated into everyday play.

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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 The childminders use of praise to reinforce positive behaviour and acknowledge efforts and achievements contributes towards children’s high level of self esteem. They play and behave well and are encouraged to share play resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Although the childminder is not currently caring for children with special needs, she demonstrated an awareness of how to meet their needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are comfortable and secure within the childminding environment, which helps them gain confidence and be independent. Children receive attention from the childminder, as she spends time with them, when they are present. The play resources are organised so they are accessible to the children, which enables them to confidently initiate their own play.

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Organisation

The childminder makes appropriate use of contracts to invite discussions with parents about their children's individual needs. Most required records and documentation are kept. However, children's welfare is not fully protected because the childminder does not meet the required regulations regarding, keeping an up to date record of the children's attendance. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Recommendations were made at the last inspection. Since the last inspection the childminder has improved safety for the children. Glassware, dangerous substances and drains have been made inaccessible to children and the BBQ has been made safe. This has improved the safeguarding of children. The childminder has improved documentation by putting a system in place to record complaints and obtained a copy of the National Standards in which to underpin a continuous improvement in the quality of childcare provided.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has put a low fence around the pond in the garden. However it is not fully inaccessible to children. Therefore to safeguard children the childminder supervises children at all times, when playing in the garden.

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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 children's attendance is recorded on a daily basis, showing hours and date of attendance

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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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