Bellgate Junior Mixed School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 129122 Inspection date 17 March 2006 Inspector Gail Groves

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered in 1999. She lives with her partner and 2 children aged 10 and 7 years in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house and 2 of the bedrooms upstairs are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children at any one time and is currently minding 5 children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group, takes children to the local library and takes children to the

p.2

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 local park.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are protected from infection and are well taken care of if they have an accident or become ill because the childminder consistently follows current and appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines, policies and procedures. For example, she is careful to wash her hands after she has wiped children's noses, her nappy changing procedure protects children from the risks of cross infection and each child has their own individually named towel to dry their hands on in the toilet. Children learn to understand simple, good health and hygiene practices, such as washing their hands after using the toilet and before meals. As a result, they develop good hygiene habits for later life. They are well nourished and drinks are available at all times which they can access independently but there are limited opportunities for them to learn about the importance of healthy eating and healthy living. As a result,

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

they do not fully understand how to develop a healthy lifestyle. Children rest and sleep according to their needs so that they do not become overtired and fractious and are therefore unable to enjoy the play opportunities provided for them. The childminder discusses children's sleep routines with parents and ensures that she meets these in order to provide children with continuity and a feeling of security. Children's health and dietary needs are clearly understood and the childminder works well with parents to meet their requirements. Children take part in regular physical activity both indoors and outdoors which helps them to develop good attitudes to exercise. For example, they visit the park to use the swings and slide and to play ball games, they go for walks around the local lakes to feed the ducks and they use a seesaw, a trampoline and bikes in the garden. Regular opportunities to move to music and take part in action rhymes indoors ensure that their opportunities

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

for exercise are not restricted by poor weather.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment in which the risks to their safety have been minimised so that they can move around freely and independently. For example, individually named low level coat pegs in the hall enable children to hang up their own coats safely and floor areas are kept free from hazards so that they do not trip as they move around the house. They use suitable and safe equipment which is well maintained and meets their differing needs and have access to a wide range of age appropriate toys and resources. These are stored in clearly labelled, low level storage boxes from which children can select items independently. Appropriate procedures ensure children are kept safe on outings. For example, the

p.3

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 childminder has a laminated list of the names and contact details of all the minded children for whom she cares. She keeps a copy in her handbag, in the outings bag and in her car so that in the event of an accident, the emergency services would know that the children were not her own and would be able to contact their parents. Safety procedures such as wearing reins or a wrist strap ensure that young children do not run into the road and she discusses road safety and crossing codes when they are out walking to encourage children to learn keep themselves safe. Discussions with the childminder about practical experiences within their normal daily routine, such as not putting toys in their mouth or having to throw away a broken toy with a sharp edge in case it hurt them, also help children learn to keep themselves

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

safe. Children are safeguarded because the childminder understands her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. She has all the required contact details readily to hand should she need to report a concern regarding a child's welfare and has regularly attended training in child protection issues to update and maintain her knowledge and understanding.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are involved in a broad range of planned activities and spontaneous events, which support their development and learning. For example, they attend both a parent and toddler group and a music group each week and they visit another childminder and her children on a regular basis. Within the childminder's house they have access to a range of varied and interesting activities, such as painting, gluing, model making, cooking, dressing up and small world play with animals, cars and trains. They look at books, listen to stories and enjoy watching videos. The childminder spends a lot of time playing with the children and throughout her interactions with them she carefully extends their thinking and language skills. As a result, they are developing good communication and social skills. Children settle and become happy in the setting and so they are confident and eager to participate in all the activities available to them. They develop self-esteem and

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

become confident to make decisions and to explore and investigate their environment because the childminder treats them with respect and is interested in what they do and say. With her support, children are beginning to relate well to others and are developing caring attitudes. For example, a young child brings a baby some toys to play with and another child is aware that he must play quietly so that he does not disturb the baby when she is sleeping. Because the childminder has a clear understanding of each child's individual needs she is able to provide the appropriate support to help them to move on to the next stage of their development.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and included at all times. They feel a sense of belonging and consequently they are happy and confident to play and take part in activities. They make choices and take decisions throughout the day, such as choosing what they

p.4

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 wish to drink at lunch time and deciding what toys they want to play with next. The childminder has written house rules on display which value politeness and sharing. Children clearly understand both these and the routines of the setting and as a result know what is expected of them and behave well. They are aware of their own needs and respect the needs of others and with support they are learning to work harmoniously together. For example, the childminder encourages children to help her tidy away the toys when they have finished playing and explains to an older child that he must be careful not to kick the baby whilst she is lying on the floor. Children benefit from some activities and resources which help them value diversity and build positive attitudes to the cultural differences between people. Opportunities to develop

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

children's ideas about gender roles, disability and social diversity are restricted. Children have their individual needs met because the childminder works in close partnership with parents and carers and takes positive steps to ensure that they are kept well informed about all her relevant policies and procedures. She has recently started a quarterly parents' newsletter to keep them informed of issues such as planned outings, training courses she will be attending and any improvements she will be making to her practice. She displays all her written policies and gives parents copies of these when their children start to attend. A daily written description of the meals and activities she has provided is available for parents to read when they come to collect their children at the end of the day. As a result, children's welfare and development is fostered.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a high regard for the well-being of all children. She has a clear sense of purpose, a commitment to continual improvement and attends regular training to update and enhance her skills. As a result, children's care benefits from her sound knowledge and understanding of child development. She is currently working towards gaining accreditation in the Herts Quality Standards quality assurance scheme. She has a wide range of written policies and procedures and these work well in practice to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. All of the necessary documentation for the safe and efficient management of the setting is in place and she uses her record keeping systems well to meet children’s needs. Her effective use of time and space contributes to children's development and the adult to child ratio positively supports

p.5

Organisation

their care, learning and play because she limits the number of children for whom she cares. As a result, she can give them a lot of individual care and attention and can more easily monitor and support their progress. Overall, children’s needs are met.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to increase children's access to age

p.5

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 appropriate furniture in order that they could gain independence. She has now bought a low wooden table and chairs for children to sit at in the dining room when they are eating or enjoying creative or messy play. She has provided a low coffee table in the lounge and children use this to put toys on rather than only being able to use the floor. She has also purchased a child sized picnic table and benches for the garden so that children can play or eat at a table when enjoying outside play. These resources have increased children's opportunities to play flexibly with their toys and have helped them to develop their ability to make choices and take decisions.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. 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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • develop children's understanding of healthy eating and healthy living • develop the resources and activities which help children to develop positive attitudes to gender roles, disability and family diversity.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6