Boulevard Junior High School

Inspection report for early years provision

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129276 Unique Reference Number 08 May 2006 Inspection date Kerry Freshwater 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 1996. She lives with her husband and two children aged 15 and 12 years in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding six children under eight years on various full and part time arrangements. The childminder also minds children over eight. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler group. The family has a pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder welcomes children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She 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 enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. They play in the garden and visit local open spaces regularly to benefit from the fresh air. Children experience a variety of physical activities using both large and small equipment. For example, they have fun on the apparatus at local parks and toddler groups, ride bikes, manoeuvre wheeled toys, kick, throw and catch balls. In the house they enjoy building with bricks, manipulating play dough and completing puzzles.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They are cared for in a welcoming, clean home where they understand the importance of regular cleaning routines to keep them safe and healthy. They have a clear understanding of why they must wash their hands after playing in the garden or using the toilet. They 'wash away the germs' and learn that germs could give them 'tummy aches'. Children learn about keeping their bodies healthy through discussion and a range of interesting books.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They know which type of food is good for our bodies and are encouraged to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents. She works with them closely to provide nutritious meals that appeal to the children as well as meeting their dietary needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is a high priority and they are cared for in a home where risks are identified and minimised. They move around safely, freely and independently and adhere to house rules to keep them safe. Children learn not to climb furniture and to tidy toys from the floor so they do not fall and hurt themselves or others. The childminder helps children understand how to keep themselves free from harm inside and outside of the home through discussion and leading by example. Children learn to be aware of road safety and practise crossing the road, they know to stop at the road side and stand back from the kerb. Children may be at risk in the event of a fire because they have not practised emergency evacuation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A wide range of safe developmentally appropriate resources are placed around the room at child height for easy access. This enables the children to independently select their play and activities safely. The childminder has the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she demonstrates a good understanding of child protection issues and has all the relevant information to hand. She has attended basic and advanced child protection training.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a very broad variety of exciting play and activities which are child-led or planned and organised by the childminder. They receive adult guidance to give them extra support if needed but their independence is promoted as much as possible. The childminder sets them challenges along with a range of stimulating play to aid their development. She links some of her play and activities to the 'Birth to three matters' framework and records children's development and progress against the framework guidelines.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a range of activities which help develop their knowledge and skills. For example, they begin to know different colours when they choose construction bricks or sort shapes. They count as they sing songs and nursery rhymes. They recognise numbers and letters as they play the 'chart game' where they find specific pictures or symbols from the alphabet and number posters displayed. Sharing books helps to develop their language and reading skills. Activity games enhance their matching and sequencing. Access to toys and equipment for differing abilities encourages children's progress. They become confident and adept at completing puzzles and using fine paint brushes and pens for drawing. Regular use of creative materials such as pencils, crayons, paint, play dough and glue, encourages the children to represent their ideas in a variety of ways. They have a number of opportunities to express their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

feelings and experiences through imaginative play with role play, a large collection of dressing up clothes and play kitchen equipment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Their confidence and self-esteem is developed with frequent praise and encouragement which is given at appropriate times. Children's sense of belonging is promoted by the childminder who knows them well and values their achievements which she shares with parents. They make positive relationships, finding new friends on outings and at toddler group.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a range of interesting and meaningful resources to promote a positive view of the wider world. Children enjoy books, dolls, dressing up clothes, puzzles and small figures as well as celebrating traditional festivals. The children learn where different foods come from and sample different flavours.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected. Their individual needs are met as they follow their daily routine which is discussed with parents. Children behave very well. They understand right and wrong through consistent boundaries, praise and the age appropriate methods used by the childminder to manage behaviour. Children are considerate, share, take turns and are polite, remembering to say please and thank you. The childminder provides a range of opportunities for the children to socialise which helps them make positive relationships with others. Realistic challenges are set by the childminder to help the children develop. This promotes their confidence and self-esteem. They feel relaxed and secure and able to make independent choices about what they want to do.

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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 Children benefit from a very strong partnership between the childminder and parents who exchange information frequently. They have daily discussions about the children and review contracts, policies and procedures regularly. The childminder writes notes to keep parents up to date with events and routine activities. This helps provide consistency in the children's care and keep parents well informed of how their child's needs are being met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children's needs are met through very effective organisation and good communication with parents. Space and equipment is prepared so that children can access resources easily and independently which enables them to make choices about their play. A balance of child-led activities and organised play ensure children have a range of different enjoyable experiences whilst they are with the childminder. They benefit from routines which make them feel secure and relaxed. Children play, eat, sleep and rest as they need to.

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Organisation

Documentation is stored securely and information shared appropriately with parents. All of the required policies and procedures are in place to help keep children healthy and safeguard their welfare. However the format for recording accidents and incidents does not always respect confidentiality and therefore details about individual children may be unintentionally shared with others. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge which she continues to update with relevant training. She has carried out training on equal opportunities, birth to three awareness, child protection and food hygiene and is working towards the Herts Quality Standards (HQS) accreditation. The childminder holds a current first aid qualification.

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Organisation

Overall, the needs of all the children who attend are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. All consents are now in place.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted received a complaint that raised concerns in relation to National Standard 1 (Suitable person) and S79F(6) The Children Act 1989 regarding the number of children being cared for by the childminder.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted contacted the childminder and requested that she conduct an internal investigation and report her findings to Ofsted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The childminder admitted breach of the condition as she admitted caring for four children under the age of 5 years when conditions of registration stated that she may only care for 3 children under 5 years.

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Complaints since the last inspection

As a result the childminder was issued with a written formal warning.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The childminder remains qualified for registration.

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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 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 confidentiality in accident book • practise emergency evacuation to ensure children are aware of procedures in case of fire.

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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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