Beanfield Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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134900 Unique Reference Number 30 November 2006 Inspection date Gillian Little 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 was registered in 2000. She lives in a village near Witney with her two children aged six and 14. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding together with two first floor bedrooms and a bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years at any one time and is currently minding five children, one on a full time basis and four on a part time basis. The childminder also cares for children over eight years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 able to play in a healthy environment as all areas of the home, including carpets and kitchen worktops, are very clean. Hygienic nappy changing procedures and a no smoking environment help to keep children healthy. Children learn about hygiene procedures, such as washing their hands before and after meals, but they share a towel which increases the risk of cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy and benefit from physical activity as they regularly walk to and from school, play in the garden in dry weather and have frequent trips to the park. During school holidays children enjoy additional outings to local attractions and to soft play centres. Young children are able to sleep and rest according to their individual needs as the childminder follows their home routine as much as possible.

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Helping children to be healthy

Satisfactory procedures are in place to ensure that children receive appropriate care in the event of an accident or illness. For example, all documentation is in place and the childminder has recently renewed her first aid training.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive a satisfactory diet and have regular meals and snack times. They learn to sit at the table and to concentrate on their food, which promotes good table manners. Children enjoy food brought from home, which the childminder stores safely, and have additional snacks of fruit, which the childminder provides as necessary. Drinks are available for children throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to play comfortably in an inviting environment, which has good facilities and the space for their needs. For example, all areas of the premises are well-maintained, attractively decorated and tidy. Children have use of a good sized living room and dining area with easy access to a ground floor cloakroom. Young children can sleep safely and comfortably as the childminder checks them regularly and ensures that she can hear them at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s risk of injury is minimal as the childminder assesses risks well and takes effective precautions to prevent accidents. For example, all areas of the premises are safe with window locks, a fire guard and safe low level glass all in place. Children are able to explore their surroundings safely as the childminder supervises them closely at all times. Children are able to play with an appropriate range of safe toys and resources, which the childminder ensures are of good quality and are easily and safely accessible to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play safely outside as the garden is fully enclosed, no hazards are present and the childminder supervises children’s outdoor play closely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good fire prevention and evacuation procedures help to keep children safe in the event of an emergency. For example, the childminder has smoke alarms situated in every room, tests them

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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 weekly and replaces batteries regularly. In addition, she practises fire drills with older children to ensure that they know what to do in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children stay safe when away from the premises as the childminder has effective procedures in place. For example, she teaches children the Footsteps programme to ensure that they are familiar with road safety and are able to keep themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s risk of harm from others is minimised as the childminder has a good understanding of her role in child protection. She is familiar with appropriate procedures, knows who to contact if she has concerns and ensures that current guidelines are easily accessible.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children show interest in what they do and are able to develop a range of skills, as there is a suitable variety of activities available. For example, children enjoy playing with dolls and accessories, and piecing together jigsaws. Children play well together and settle quickly to activities. Suitable resources and activities are available for the range of ages that the childminder cares for. For example, baby toys, books, Duplo and role play equipment are all available to appropriate age groups.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children receive appropriate support from the childminder who is kind and caring. She talks to children about their play, encouraging them and praising their efforts, which helps to build their self-esteem and confidence. Children are happy and settled and are able to play in a calm environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children become aware of wider society as they have access to a basic range of resources reflecting diversity. They begin to learn about each other’s cultures through positive encouragement by the childminder. Children have equal access to appropriate toys and equipment and the childminder treats all children with equal concern. For example, she ensures that children can choose toys freely and that they learn to share.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder knows children well, such as their personalities, home backgrounds and routines and is therefore able to meet children’s individual needs appropriately.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about responsible behaviour as the childminder uses appropriate and consistent methods, such as a time out session and through discussion.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from appropriate continuity between the home and the setting as the childminder develops positive partnerships with parents. For example, she ensures that parents have appropriate information about their children’s time with her and has a useful information file in place.

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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. Children are able to make satisfactory progress as the childminder has an appropriate sense of purpose, spending time supervising and playing with children, ensuring that they are safe and receiving appropriate support. She uses time and resources sufficiently well to ensure that children can choose toys freely and have sufficient time for all activities, such as playing and eating. The childminder has appropriate skills and qualifications to support children in her care and has several years experience as a childminder.

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Organisation

All documentation is in place, is well-organised and works appropriately in practice. The childminder is using the Birth to three matters framework appropriately to support her care of younger children.

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Organisation

The childminder has not always maintained the adult to child ratio as stated on her certificate, which is a condition of her registration. However, this condition is now being met and the breach has not put children at risk.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain local child protection guidelines and ensure familiarity with these. The childminder now has the guidelines in place and has a good understanding of procedures which helps to keep children safe.

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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. 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): • provide individual hand drying facilities for children

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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 • ensure that ratios, as set out on the registration certificate, are maintained at all times.

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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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