Beckett School

Inspection report for early years provision

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129779 Unique Reference Number 14 December 2006 Inspection date Tina Kelly 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 satisfactory. 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 at this address since 2000. She was previously registered to childmind with another local childminder. This arrangement continues occasionally.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She lives with her husband, two children aged four and six years and an adult child in their twenties. They live in a small village on the outskirts of Watford. The premises are situated close to schools, parks and local amenities. The whole of the property is registered although the children do not generally access upstairs except for young babies to sleep. There is a downstairs cloakroom. The family keep several cats. 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 four children. At the time of inspection two children aged two and a half and three years were being cared for. She also has care arrangments for children before and after school.

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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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. They learn about personal care through their daily routines. Children's independence is well supported when they use the cloakroom as they receive appropriate help from their carer. When young children move too close to the television the childminder explains that their eyes will hurt and she moves them gently to a safe distance. Other children repeat the statement, showing they have a developing understanding of what is acceptable behaviour.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's nutritional needs are met. The children are given opportunities to try different foods, fruits and vegetables as they are provided with a varied diet. They are offered a healthy snack at lunch time and they have a freshly cooked tea each day. Children have access to drinks throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities for exercise on a daily basis. They walk out to the local school, the shops and play areas. The garden offers many different challenges with climbing frames and swings where children can practise their balance and physical skills in a well managed environment. During the week the childminder walks with the children to the nearby village, they share the pushchair as they gradually extend the distance they can walk and build up their stamina.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is monitored as the childminder is very aware of their individual needs. She shares information about the children's meals, activities and sleep patterns with parents on a daily basis. Detail of younger children's routines would be shared through a daily diary.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a secure environment. Appropriate measures are in place to ensure the children's safety as they play both in the home and the garden. Children learn about personal safety through discussion and actions taken by the childminder. She reminds them to put toys away and not to tread on them or they will hurt themselves. She explains they will fall if they run around. Children have access to a wide range of good quality toys and resources which they can reach safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

When walking out in the community the children are becoming aware of their own safety as they learn simple rules that will keep them safe such as holding hands or holding onto the buggy as they cross roads.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is monitored and maintained as the childminder keeps appropriate records with regards to accidents and incidents. The childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues as she has attended training. Relevant leaflets and referral information provided by the Local Safeguarding Children Board is available in the registration folder.

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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 have many opportunities to use a good selection of toys and experience a range of well planned activities. The childminder is aware of the children's varied abilities, she adapts games to extend the different aspects of their learning. A large walk in cupboard in the hallway provides accessible storage and additional play space where children can develop their play away from the main lounge where other children may be cared for. Children's imaginative play is well developed, they have easy access to an extensive range of resources so they can extend their own play ideas freely.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children enjoy being taken out in the community, this is an important part of their daily routine. For special occasions they join with other childminders who book a coach to take the children and their families for a day out. Children are able to tell visitors about the different play sessions they attend, they can link other children and events to explain about previous and familiar events.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are co-operative and show great delight as they bring toys from the cupboard, their carer prepares the floor space and they are encouraged to tip the toys out and to sort through to find favourite characters. Their language is extended as the childminder asks them about colour, shape and what they are going to do. Children respond well, explaining what they are going to do with the toys available to them. They are beginning to plan and to predict different aspects of their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are respected and valued within the setting. The childminder is aware of the different needs of the children in her care. Their individual characteristics and preferences are recognised, routines and activities may be adapted to ensure all children are able to take part. The childminder has strategies and documents in place to ensure all children reach their full potential including cultural and special needs. Children are encouraged to develop their understanding of different cultures as the childminder offers opportunities and resources that extend their experiences of the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's good behaviour is reinforced with praise. Children are encouraged to take turns and to co-operate. They help each other to select and pull out the storage boxes, they are beginning to understand how their actions impact on others as they are asked to share the toys out 'fairly' by their carer.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A strong relationship has developed between the childminder and the families that she cares for. Some arrangements have been in place for many years, children continue to be cared for when they move onto school. Children's personal care routines and day to day detail is shared with parents on a daily basis. However, parents are not fully informed about the registration and inspection process or the training that the childminder has attended.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her daily and weekly routines around the various pre-school, nursery and school arrangements. Play space within the home is well managed, resources are readily accessible so children's play and learning are promoted at all times.

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Organisation

Adequate documents are in place to meet the National Standards and to ensure children's individual needs are met. Children are cared for by appropriate adults, all members of the household have had the required checks. The childminder receives up to date information from the early years development team.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection the childminder was given three recommendations; to keep an attendance register, to increase her knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities and to ensure all members of the household have appropriate checks.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder now keeps appropriate records to monitor the attendance of children in her care so she can maintain ratios and plan her week. Resources have been developed to ensure children have opportunities to learn about different cultures and family settings as they play. All members of the household have the required checks to ensure the children's safety at all times.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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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.

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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 satisfactory. 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):

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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 • develop information for parents to inform them about all aspects of the registration.

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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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