Precious People

Precious People

Inspection report for early years provision

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Precious People

EY264905 Unique Reference Number 05 October 2006 Inspection date Janet Ashcroft Inspector

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Precious People

Birches Green Infants, Birches Green Road, Erdington, Birmingham, B24 9SR

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E-mail

Fiona Doloras Sheppard Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Out of School care Type of care

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E-mail

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?

Precious People was registered in 2003. It operates from Birches Green Infant School in Erdington, Birmingham and serves only those children who attend Birches Green School. The setting opens Monday to Friday during term time only, from 08:00 until 08:50 and from 15:15 until 17:30.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The setting is registered to care for 32 children; there are currently 31 children on roll who attend for a variety of sessions.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are five staff who work with the children; three are qualified to level 3 and one holds a level 2 qualification and is working towards a level 3.

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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 are actively learning about good hygiene routines through the staff's good practice and rigorous procedures are in place to ensure that children wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. The staff effectively encourage and support the children in developing skills of self-reliance and use discussion and example to reinforce aspects of personal hygiene.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s health is promoted through the setting's policies and records, which are exceptionally well-maintained and meet all the required standards. However, confidentiality is compromised during cooking activities as records of special dietary needs are not always confidentially maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are given frequent opportunities to develop physical skills outdoors, with full use made of the outdoor area for team games and general physical play.

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Helping children to be healthy

Snack time is a relaxed and social occasion, where socially acceptable eating skills and good manners are encouraged. Conversational skills are developed as staff and children sit together and discuss aspects of the school day. Snacks are very nutritious and fruit is served on a daily basis. The children's independence is fostered as they help themselves to a selection of food from the variety offered.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to move independently around the setting, which is clean and very well-maintained. Their sense of belonging is fostered by their yellow 'Precious People' tabards, their own notice board and by the attractive displays of their creative work.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from access to a good range of toys, equipment and furniture, which is kept in an extremely clean and safe condition and which promotes all areas of their development. Children are encouraged to make suggestions for future equipment purchases, promoting their sense of ownership and belonging.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff are very aware of possible risks to children’s safety; risk assessments are rigorous and thorough steps have been taken to remove hazards from the setting. Consequently, the children are able to play and eat in very safe and healthy premises. The children are actively learning how to keep themselves safe, for example, they participate in regular fire evacuations and topic work is used effectively to promote awareness of self-care, for example, road safety activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s protection from abuse and neglect is promoted through the staff's good knowledge of signs and symptoms and of reporting procedures.

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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 are able to engage in a stimulating and well-balanced range of activities and experiences, planned to help them make progress in all areas of development. For example, on the day of inspection, the children were learning about cause and effect as they mixed icing sugar and water to ice cakes; in addition, their physical and creative skills were developed as they worked with clay to make lantern holders. The children's self-esteem is fostered as they participate in the selection of activities to supplement those planned by staff.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s language and social skills are extensively promoted through the frequent questions asked of them by the staff, for example, about past activities, their school day and their plans for the evening. Questions often challenge the children, stimulating recall and encouraging them to think. The staff listen carefully to the children’s responses, enhancing self-confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Staff have a proactive approach to caring for children with special needs and the children benefit from being cared for as individuals. They are able to experience an extensive and exciting range of resources and activities to develop their awareness of the wider world and to promote their understanding of others. For example, recent activities have included Bollywood dancing and story telling, mask making and music playing with native American and Chinese visitors.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children thrive as a result of the first-class partnership with parents. They are very warmly welcomed into the setting and an outstanding variety of strategies keeps them informed of the provision and of their children's progress. The staff have a thirst to improve and develop the provision and parents' help is actively sought. The setting is fully integrated into the life of the school and the children benefit greatly from the strong consistency of care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children's behaviour is exemplary. They show care and concern for one another and are able to work cooperatively together. Their behaviour is extremely well managed by the staff who use methods such as reward books with stickers and special presentations. The children participate in negotiating the rules for the setting, giving them a sense of responsibility and ownership.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s welfare is effectively promoted through the staff's excellent organisational skills; records and policies are well-organised and regularly reviewed, ensuring that all required information is easily accessible. Most staff are qualified to level 3 and the children benefit from the programme of continuing professional development, which ensures that all staff are kept up-to-date with recent initiatives in child care and education.

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Organisation

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 children are able to explore and investigate as a result of the well-organised use of space, which has been planned to enable them to participate in the stimulating range of activities offered. 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 registered person was asked to ensure that all documentation was maintained accurately and accessibly; to ensure that health and safety procedures were met; and to ensure staff were deployed effectively. The children's welfare is now promoted as all documentation is now rigorously maintained and easily accessible; health and safety procedures are administered well; and staff deployment is effective and consistent.

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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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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 that children's special dietary requirements are maintained confidentially.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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