Blackbrook RC Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

132854 Unique Reference Number 12 June 2006 Inspection date Barbara Walters Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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

p.2

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.

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 has been registered since 1996. She lives with her husband and two daughters aged twelve and thirteen years in the village of Saltford near Bath. Minded children have access to all areas of the house except the attic bedroom and the conservatory. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play and the childminder also uses the local facilities including the nearby toddler group and park. The family have two pet cats and a hamster.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for up to six children at any one time and is currently minding ten children on a part-time and full-time basis. The home is within walking distance of the local shops and school. The childminder has gained the NVQ level 3 Early Years Childcare and Education qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from being well cared for in a warm, clean home with a good standard of hygiene throughout the premises. They develop awareness of appropriate hygiene practices such as using their own individual towels, which are personalised with their own names. Children begin to develop independence as they are encouraged to manage their own person hygiene practices. Suitable arrangements are in place for the management of family pets. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a policy of not taking children who are ill and the risk of infection is minimised for children through the childminder's clear exclusion policy. The childminder manages accidents and the administration of mediation well and shares the records with parents. Children's welfare is promoted by the detailed recording. Children are closely monitored and well supported if they become ill.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have their physical needs well cared for. The childminder ensures that there are opportunities each day for play in the fresh air. They take part in activities that contribute to good health and the development of physical skills either in the local park or through play in the garden. Children are able to rest and be active according to their needs.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to understand the benefits of healthy eating and have regular drinks throughout the day to maintain their health. Snacks and meals are well-balanced, low in salt, fat and additives and take into account children's individual needs and preferences. Children enjoy varied meals and snacks. The childminder liaises regularly with parents to ensure that the meals she provides are suitable for children's needs.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a spacious home where well thought-out safety procedures identify and minimise risks and children are able to move around freely. Children's freedom is maximised because the childminder has addressed potential hazards in the home, such as restricting younger children's access to the stairs and kitchen and the storing of hazardous materials in high cupboards. The childminder gives a high priority to keeping children safe and maintains close supervision. They are well supported whilst developing their independence and understanding of how to keep safe for example, by using safe procedures whilst walking along the road.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has developed a well thought-out emergency evacuation procedure which she shares with parents. Children play in a safe environment where fire safety issues have been addressed and the required equipment is in place. Children's well-being is further promoted by the childminder's knowledge and understanding of the procedure to follow if she has any child protection concerns.

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 Children independently select activities from a wide range of toys and equipment which meet safety standards and are appropriate for their developmental needs. Their emotional well-being is maintained by the warm and supportive relationship with the childminder.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and interested in the varied range of well maintained resources which help develop their learning. They are eager to explore and investigate what is on offer and take the initiative in their play and develop good levels of self-esteem. The childminder's active involvement in the children's play helps them to focus and develop their concentration.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder offers support and encouragement when needed to enable children to try new experiences and to practice and build on their skills. Children are given regular choices and they become increasingly confident and independent. Children spend time purposely and take pleasure in their play. They adapt their games using their imagination, for example children enjoy scrunching the sand with their toes and imagining themselves at the seaside. They benefit from daily outings such as visits to the park and toddler group which help to promote learning and socialising with other children. Children's sense of belonging is further developed by their warm relationship with the childminder. The childminder's close involvement help children enjoy their play, promote their language skills and develop their natural curiosity.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The daily routine fits around their needs and the childminder uses her knowledge to ensure children are stimulated and their development is promoted. Children feel valued when their photographs are put on the wall to show who is present. The childminder offers each child a good level of support and includes all the children in games and activities. However, activities and resources reflecting positive images of culture, gender and disability are limited in promoting children's awareness of how different people live.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are settled and secure. They benefit from consistent boundaries and the calm approach of the childminder who uses praise and encouragement to help build children's self-esteem and manage behaviour. Children begin to develop their understanding of responsible behaviour and are happy and settled.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder informs parents of their children's day by daily discussions and the children taking home activities they have made. The childminder's prospectus provides information about her services, enabling parents to be clear about what is available for their children. Children experience continuity of care because the childminder works closely with parents and shares important information with them in a daily diary.

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and are well supported by the childminder which adds to their confidence to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder has developed her own well thought-out policies and procedures which reflect her practice and are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. They are shared with parents to keep them informed about the service and child's activities.

p.5

Organisation

All relevant documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being is accurate and up-to-date and shared with parents. The childminder is committed to further training, using the knowledge gained to support children's learning and development.

p.5

Organisation

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

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to develop the number of resources available which reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability, to ensure that a current first aid certificate is held which includes first aid training for infants and young children and to ensure that a key is available for the locked upstairs bedroom window.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has begun to develop her resources but these are still limited. She has gained a first aid certificate and a key is available for the bedroom window.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.5

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): • continue to develop the number of resources available to children which reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability.

p.5

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 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

p.5

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