Chertsey High School

Inspection report for early years provision

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144741 Unique Reference Number 22 May 2006 Inspection date Catherine, Louise Sample 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 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 a registered childminder since 1995. She lives with her husband and three children aged 22, 20 and 16. They live in a semi-detached bungalow in East Gomeldon near Salisbury, Wiltshire. The whole house is used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden for outside play. The family have a pet tortoise.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a total of six children at any one time. There are currently 11 children on roll, two of whom are over 8 years old.

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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 good. Children have generally healthy food and drink. They have regular drinks of water or weak squash and are offered extra fluids in hot weather. The childminder ensures that children eat fruit every day and the childminder supplies it herself if parents have not included it in children's lunchboxes. The childminder provides meals that always include fruit and vegetables. However, children have sweet biscuits for their morning snack which are not sufficiently healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about good hygiene practice. They wash their hands after messy play and a child washes his hands thoroughly after his nappy is changed. The childminder explains to children why they need to have their nappies changed. Children know that they must not eat food that has been on the floor. A child tells the childminder that it is dirty. Children are protected well from cross infection through using individual flannels and hand towels.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well protected from illness and infection. The childminder takes positive measures to prevent the spread of illness including a 24 hour exclusion period for sickness and diarrhoea. She passes on any concerns that she has about the children's health. She has recently alerted a parent to the fact that their child may have croup.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are helped to keep fit through regular exercise. They spend a lot of time playing in the garden with a variety of play equipment. They also walk to and from school every day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are learning about staying safe. The childminder explains why it is not safe to throw toys and tells children why it is important to add cold water when washing their hands. Children know that they are not allowed to touch the hot tap because it could burn them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety in the home is promoted effectively. The childminder's home provides a safe and secure environment. All hazards are minimised. For example, all sockets are covered, cleaning materials are kept in a locked cupboard and the childminder has a fire extinguisher as well as a fire blanket. Toys and equipment are regularly checked to ensure that they remain safe and suitable for their purpose. Children have not practiced a fire drill. Therefore they are not aware of what to do in an emergency situation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety in the garden and on outings is ensured through positive measures. The garden is fully enclosed and the shed and garage are locked. The childminder has checked to ensure that there are no harmful plants. Children are learning about road safety and younger children are restrained in the buggy or use reins to ensure that they are safe. Older children walk close to the childminder and know that they must wait when they come to a road.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted through the childminder's clear understanding of child protection issues. She has attended child protection training and has a good awareness of the possible indicators of abuse. These include changes in behaviour and unexplained bruising and marks

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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 on the body. She is aware of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child and shares these with parents. She has previous experience of making a child protection referral to Social Services.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of purposeful activities. The childminder plans activities around themes such as 'hands'. Children make handprints with paint and buy the ingredients to make salt dough handprints. They also enjoy activities such as growing sunflowers, cooking and trips to the local river. Children's individual needs are met well. A child that is scared of planes is told that all the children will make paper aeroplanes to help him stop worrying. Children benefit from a good range of age appropriate resources. They have easy access to a wide variety of toys and activities including books and construction materials for all ages. Children are learning through discussion with the childminder. She talks with them about different types of aircraft and helps a child learn his colours during a painting activity. Children benefit from a high level of adult support. The childminder gives children plenty of attention. She joins in when they

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

play with glove puppets and reads books to them. She uses the Birth to three framework to enhance the care she provides for younger children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident. They play independently while the childminder arranges a painting session and a child approaches the inspector and sits on her knee. Children have good opportunities to make choices. They can self select toys and activities in the playroom and the childminder offers them different options. For example, she asks whether they want to read some books or do some painting. Children are encouraged to become independent. The childminder encourages children to try to do things for themselves. Children benefit from plenty of praise and encouragement. A child is told how clever she is for using a pop-up book by herself and the childminder admires a child's painting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have positive relationships with one another. They share paints and play puppets together. They also have a warm relationship with the childminder. They sit on her knee for a story and seek support when feeling shy. Children play an active role in the setting. A child fetches another child's nappy changing bag for them and helps to mend a book. Children are well behaved. They say thank you when given a biscuit and tidy away toys before taking out more. Children's behaviour is managed effectively. The childminder gives clear explanations and reminds children that they should share and sit nicely at the table. Children are praised for good behaviour such as helping to pick up a book.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning about wider society. They do activities such as tasting foreign food and discussing the country that it comes from. They also regularly use resources such as books and dolls that help them learn about diversity. Children's needs are met well. The childminder recognises that every child has particular needs. She ensures that she meets these fully by

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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 getting to know the child well and working closely with the parents. For example, she is working with the parents of one child to help him learn his colours.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from a close working relationship between the childminder and the parents. The childminder uses contracts and record of information sheets to set out the terms of the arrangement. She also seeks parental consent for emergency medical treatment and photographs. She respects parental wishes. For example, some parents do not want their children photographed. The childminder shares information with parents through discussion and also through a scrapbook which she regularly updates. This contains photographs of the children and information about what they have been doing.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from a well organised environment. They have a dedicated playroom that is bright and colourful. It has comfortable seating for children to read books with the childminder and storage for the many resources. Children can easily access toys and equipment which are stored in low boxes.

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Organisation

Children's welfare is promoted through the keeping of all necessary records. The childminder accurately completes all records including an accident book and records of medication. She has introduced a laminated sheet on which to record attendance and then transfers this information on to the computer. Older children are encouraged to sign themselves in when they arrive. The childminder is aware of the new requirements with regard to complaints by parents. She is aware of the need to investigate and keep a record of any complaint received.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's positive attitude towards development. She has attended training in child protection and special needs and also a workshop on the Birth to three framework. She is committed to further development of her knowledge and skills.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to develop her understanding of the procedures to follow in cases of suspected child abuse. She was also required to extend the resources and activities that help children learn about diversity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has attended child protection training and has a list of the correct procedures to follow. She is aware of the need to record all concerns, share them with parents as appropriate and make a referral to Social Services. This enhances the welfare of minded children. The childminder has acquired resources that help children to learn about wider society including a book about different faiths and an Asian doll. She also plans activities such as tasting foreign foods to help children learn about other countries.

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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

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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): • ensure that children know what to do in the case of fire or an emergency • further develop healthy eating for children

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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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