Birchfield Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

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110958 Unique Reference Number 26 July 2006 Inspection date Wendy, Elizabeth Lightfoot 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 has been registered since 1997. She is registered to provide care for four children under eight years and currently provides care for four in this age group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband, and three children, two of whom are of school age. They live in a house in the Alton area of Hampshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. The family has a cat, a rabbit and a guinea pig.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks children to and from school and pre-school. She takes children to local toddler groups.

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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. The childminder maintains the home in a clean and hygienic condition. Children learn about personal hygiene and are reminded to go to the toilet and wash their hands before preparing food. They use clean boards for food preparation, such as making their own sandwiches for a picnic. Children learn which foods are good for them and their preferences are taken into account. Children enjoy sharing in the preparation of food and agree that the activity has made them hungry. They receive regular drinks, throughout the day. Young children's emotional health is well-supported and they are confident to express their wishes and their feelings.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop good physical skills in the garden, riding, steering cars and tricycles, swinging, rocking, skipping and playing with footballs. Children understand the importance of wearing sun cream in hot weather and learn to apply this carefully, themselves.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is well-supported through the childminder's procedures. She arranges advance written consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and details of any medical needs or allergies. Children are protected from cross-infection by the childminder's exclusion procedures for children who have an infectious illness. She has a knowledge of first aid procedures, although her first aid qualification has lapsed. An appropriate first aid kit is provided.

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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 comfortable and child friendly environment, where risks are assessed and measures put in place to reduce these. They play indoors in a comfortable lounge-diner where they can spread out on the carpet to build or play with dolls, play hospitals on the settee, or play energetically in the garden. They enjoy regular outings to local parks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play with a good range of interesting and stimulating toys, play equipment and materials which support their development in all areas. These are selected to be safe and suitable for the ages using them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept secure as the front door is locked when children are present, with the key easily accessible at adult height, and the garden is securely enclosed. However, the door from the back of the garage into the garden is missing and the childminder has made arrangements to rectify this as soon as possible. The childminder manages this situation through good supervision, to ensure children are safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about potential risks, such as playing near water, and to look out for younger children when using the swings. They practice fire evacuation and can explain what they need to do.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an understanding of the signs and symptoms of child protection and what to do if she is concerned about a child.

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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 arrive confidently greet the childminder's children and join in immediately in play. They are reminded of the importance of staying covered and using their sun lotion on hot Summer days. Children select their own activities from a range set out at low level, so they build on their own interests. The childminder supports their play by listening to their ideas, offering suggestions and providing further resources.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's motivation and self-esteem are high as the childminder asks questions to make children think and praises them for efforts and successes. They play imaginatively, taking on different roles, such as doctor and patient, or parent and baby, sharing their experiences of real life. Children are supported by the childminder's awareness of their knowledge and skills, as she values their progress and reinforces their understanding.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children learn to express themselves in a number of ways. They enjoy playing with the childminder, building their vocabulary as they ask for and repeat the names of the various parts of the toy aeroplane. Their interest in planes is extended as the childminder helps them recall their recent sighting of the Red Arrows. They use facial expression, sounds and gestures to make their meaning clear. School age children are encouraged to talk about past events and to explain their ideas, developing good communication skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children gain mathematical understanding through daily activities. Young children learn to count and to use positional language such as 'in the back'. School age children are helped to develop a sense of time through talking about family events and birthdays.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with equal concern at the childminder's. They enjoy activities at their own levels and the childminder supports them to play well with each other. Older children can join in or choose to play independently at the table, at the other end of the room. Children learn about diversity through resources reflecting positive images of different skin tones and cultures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with special needs are welcome at the childminder's. She gives thought as to what they will enjoy doing and how to support their play and encourage their mobility.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well at the childminder's. They learn to take account of each others wishes. School age children are confident to stand up for their wishes and calm in discussing these. They learn to look out for those who are younger than themselves. Their behaviour is managed in positive ways, such as distraction to a new activity and praise for efforts and successes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good partnership with parents helps ensure children's needs are understood. Parents are consulted about their children's needs and their wishes for their care. Their preferences for their child are respected. Parents are contacted quickly in an emergency as the childminder maintains to date contact details. Medication and accident records are shared with children's

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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 own parents, so they can monitor their children's health. Privacy and confidentiality is respected in children's records, as fresh pages are used for each child.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Organisation

Children are cared for by an experienced childminder, who provides long-term and consistent care for children. All adults in the household are vetted. The childminder attended preparation training before commencing childminding. However her first aid training has lapsed as she has had difficulties in accessing a course which will fit in with her commitments.

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Organisation

Time, space and resources are managed well to meet the needs of the children and allow them opportunities to rest or be active, sit chatting in the shade, or skip energetically. They experience a wide range of activities to promote their development.

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Organisation

The childminder maintains clear records to underpin the care of the children and an accurate register of their attendances.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure all records remain confidential at all times and to make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The confidentiality of children's records has been improved by the use of a separate page for each child, when recording accident or medication. The childminder has developed a clear complaints procedure including full Ofsted contact details and this is shown to parents at enrolment.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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): • ensure children cannot access the garage • maintain a current first aid qualification appropriate for infants and young children

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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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