Baltonsborough Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

123740 Unique Reference Number 04 September 2006 Inspection date Kerry Freshwater 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 was registered in 1995. She lives with her husband and one adult child in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding with access to the upstairs bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

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 five children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler group. The family has three pet cats, 13 rabbits, two chinchillas and a gerbil.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder 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 enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. They play in the garden, walk to and from school and visit local parks regularly to benefit from the fresh air. Children experience a variety of physical activities using both large and small equipment. For example, they climb and balance on apparatus at the various parks they visit, enjoy local walks, ride the tricycle, bounce on the trampoline and play with hoops, bats and balls in the garden. In the house they enthusiastically construct the train track, complete puzzles and build with various construction toys.

p.3

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. Children help clear their plates and cups after lunch, they have a clear understanding of why they must wash their hands after playing outside or using the toilet and wash their face and hands after meals. Children wipe their noses independently and dispose of tissues appropriately. They learn about keeping their bodies healthy through discussion with the childminder. Children are beginning to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They know which type of food is good to eat. Children have access to regular drinks throughout the day and eat plenty of fresh fruit snacks.

p.3

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 know not to climb furniture or run indoors so they do not fall and hurt themselves and to be careful when using the stairs. 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 cross the road safely and have had the opportunity to practise this through a road safety session at the local childminder's group that the childminder helps to run. Fire fighting precautions are in place, an evacuation procedure has been devised and children have practised leaving the house in an emergency situation. Children are not able to play safely in the garden at present due to the wooden fence pieces

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and rabbit barrier which are stored there while the new fence is being installed.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A broad range of safe, developmentally appropriate resources are stored 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 has a good understanding of child protection issues. She has attended training in this area and has all the relevant documentation in place.

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a 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. For example, children complete puzzles and play word games with the childminder.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They benefit from a range of activities which help develop their knowledge and skills. For example, children count as they build with bricks and obtain different fruit and vegetables at the supermarket. They learn mathematical language when they build the train track creating tunnels that are too small or big enough to put the trains through and sharing the train carriages as they decide when they have the same amount. They learn matching and sequencing with activity games. They learn about the natural environment as they enjoy outings to the zoo or local wild life park, collect leaves and conkers to make pictures. Regular use of creative materials such as pencils, crayons, paint and play dough encourages the children to represent their experiences, feelings and ideas in a variety of ways. Children develop their imaginative skills as they use play food, kitchen equipment and write menus to play café's, dress up and carry

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

out puppet shows with the varied range of puppets available. They are encouraged to take part in everyday routines to learn about their local community, for example, they help the childminder with her shopping, participating in writing lists together, selecting different items and loading food on to the conveyor belt.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a good range of activities and meaningful resources to promote a positive view of the wider world. Books, small figures and activities to celebrate a variety of festivals increases children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. Children dance using a Chinese dragon costume and celebrate Bastille Day by making French flags and eating croissants at the local childminder's group. Discussions about religion, abilities and skin colour helps children to understand and respect others.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected. Their individual needs are well met as they follow their daily routine which is discussed with parents. Children behave extremely 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, they share, take turns and are very polite, remembering to say 'please', 'thank you' and 'sorry'. 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

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 promotes their confidence and self-esteem. They feel relaxed and secure and able to make independent choices about what they want to do.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from a very strong partnership between the childminder and parents who exchange information frequently about what children have been doing, their daily routines, progress and achievements. They have daily discussions and review contracts, policies and procedures regularly. This helps keep parents well informed of how their child's needs are being met and of their developmental progress.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. The children's needs are met through 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 and rest as they need to.

p.5

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. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge and experience which she continues to update with relevant training. She has completed child protection training and other workshops to support her childminding practise. The childminder holds a current first aid qualification. Overall, the range of children’s needs are met.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that confidentiality is maintained when recording accidents, make the upstairs banister safe or inaccessible to children and obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Accident records are now recorded on individual pages to ensure confidentiality, parent's consents are obtained for medication and the upstairs banisters is now inaccessible to children.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted.

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

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

p.5

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): • ensure the garden does not pose a hazard to children, this relates to the fence posts and rabbit run barrier.

p.6

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

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