Bishops Cleeve Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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115571 Unique Reference Number 18 April 2006 Inspection date Sarah Morfett 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 was registered in 2000. She lives with her husband and three school aged children in Blackfen, Kent. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding four children part time. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a dog and a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of an approved childminding network.

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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. Children enjoy a suitable range of activities which contribute to their health and well-being. Daily vigorous activities help the children learn to control their bodies. For example, by playing in the garden with the swing, balls and wheeled toys. Regular trips to the local park help children to develop strong physical skills. Children learn to balance and develop their hand eye co-ordination whilst they play on the large climbing apparatus. Children's physical development is promoted well.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have a sound understanding of hygiene practices. The childminder takes time to talk to them in language they can understand about why they must wash their hands after going to the toilet, playing in the garden and before eating. Children know that this gets rid of germs. There is a suitable procedure in place to record the administration of medication; however, this is not consolidated as parents do not give written permission for this. Children are kept safe from the risk of infection as there is an effective sickness policy in place which is discussed with parents. Children start to learn how to keep themselves healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet, as the childminder involves them in their food choices. They can choose from healthy snacks and lunches such as, toast, fruit and yoghurt. All children's dietary requirements are recorded and their likes and dislikes are taken into consideration. Drinks are readily available and children can help themselves when they need to. Children's dietary needs are considered.

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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 warm and welcoming environment where risks have been identified and minimised. This enables the children to move around safely, freely and independently. Children make choices from a range of activities which are available in boxes displayed at their level and are rotated frequently to provide the children with choice and variety. All toys are cleaned regularly and checked to ensure there are no broken pieces. Children benefit from the good condition of all resources.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety within the home is promoted well. Regular risk assessments are carried out ensure that they have a safe and secure environment in which to grow. Children follow clear boundaries when out and they know that they must hold hands whilst walking along the road. They are learning road safety as they are picked up from pre-school everyday. Children say "we have to look and listen when we cross the road." Children are beginning to gain an understanding of how to keep themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all of the procedures and documentation in place to ensure that the children's welfare is safeguarded, for example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. The childminder's understanding of child protection procedures helps to keep children safe

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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 from the risk of harm and neglect and is pro-active in updating her knowledge. Children can feel safe and secure in the childminder's care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well settled at the childminder's house. They appear confident and make themselves at home quickly. A range of toys are available, although opportunities to make choices are limited. This means sometimes the television takes priority over the free flow of activities. The resources available suit the children's needs and cover the areas of development, such as, craft activities and role play equipment. They enjoy drawing activities where they practice pencil control. Children are happy and settled.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy well thought out activities. During the holidays, children make posters for the wall about food that is good for them, they used skills such as cutting and sticking and discuss food that is healthy and not so healthy. Therefore, children start to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. The childminder uses extending language with the children; whilst they play she asks them questions which make them think. Children are given opportunities to extend their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a close relationship with the childminder, she listens and responds to them; therefore communication is good. Children are able to learn social skills, such as, sharing and building relationships as they socialise with other children minded, with the childminder and with her older children. Children develop well within the warm relationships.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are provided with a meaningful range of activities and resources which promote a positive view of the world around them. For example, puzzles and books increase children's awareness of diversity. Through activities such as cooking and discussion with the childminder they learn about different cultures. Activities offered to children are age appropriate and non-discriminatory. Dressing up clothes reflect different genders and all children can choose what to wear. All children are treated with equal concern.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder's positive attitude towards behaviour management. Strategies used are adapted for the ages of children attending. Children feel acknowledged as important individuals because the childminder gives attention for positive behaviour and ignores unwanted behaviour. Therefore, children behave well and make the most of their time with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued as individuals. Their needs are met as their normal daily routine is shared verbally with parents each day. They are kept well informed of the care their children are receiving by the clear and concise policies and procedures devised by the childminder. Parents report that they are happy with the care the childminder provides. Children are happy and receive continuity of care.

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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 children feel at home and at ease within the well organised environment. Children are confident and self-assured. They receive sufficient adult support to help them feel secure. This means that they are able to initiate and extend their learning and play. Children are beginning to make progress in all areas of development.

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Organisation

Policies and procedures recently developed by the childminder are used effectively and promote children's welfare, care and learning. These are shared with parents to ensure they are well informed of the care their children receive.

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Organisation

Most documentation is maintained to a good standard. The childminder has a positive attitude to keeping her knowledge of children's development up-to-date. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to increase her range of resources which reflect diversity. She has now done this by increasing her toys and resources through using a local toy library to provide a variety of experiences for children. Therefore children learn about other cultures through the increased resources.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She was also asked to develop her paperwork by obtaining permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice and treatment and to provide a procedure for parents to be followed if they have a complaint. The childminder has developed all her paperwork and this now includes most of the written permissions and procedures required. Children are protected by the systems in place.

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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 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): • obtain from parents written permission to administer medication • ensure that children have opportunities to make choices and access the range of activities

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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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