Brompton-on-Swale Church of England Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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121481 Unique Reference Number 01 November 2006 Inspection date June Fielden 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 was registered in 1995. She lives with her husband, adult son and 14-year-old child in Redhill, Surrey. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and two first floor bedrooms. 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding one child full-time, and four children part-time. She takes children to local schools, and visits parks and shops. The childminder attends 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. Children's good health is assured through the childminder's efficient hygiene routines. They wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Children use their own colour coded towel in the bathroom, to avoid the risk of cross contamination. The childminder provides tissues for children to wipe their nose with when necessary, to prevent the spread of infection. She has a well organised nappy changing procedure, to maintain appropriate standards of hygiene.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's food is mainly provided by parents, and the childminder monitors what children eat to ensure they receive a nutritious diet. The childminder has an effective understanding of healthy eating, and raises children's awareness of this by providing them with a magnetic picture chart. This encourages children to record each time they eat fruit or vegetables, to check that they have had five pieces each day. Drinks are always available to children to ensure they are not thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides a broad range of opportunities for children to exercise. They visit a toddler group, park or soft play area most mornings, where they socialise with others, and use the wide selection of resources provided. Children also play in the childminder's garden, strengthening their muscles on the sturdy equipment available to them. Each child sleeps in a separate room to ensure their rest is undisturbed by noise from other children.

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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 welcoming and friendly environment. They have their own playroom, which is bright and attractive to children and parents. It has colourful nursery rhyme posters and children's work on the walls. They move around independently in the playroom, selecting the toys they wish to play with. A broad range of equipment and toys are available to children. There is also a collection of themed story sacks aimed at different age groups, and catering for the needs of all minded children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Effective measures are in place to ensure children's safety. The childminder has gates fitted to prevent children climbing the stairs or leaving the playroom unsupervised. She has devised an emergency escape plan, and risk assessments are ongoing. However, there are currently some minor hazards, such as the fireplace in the playroom, and the garden, which is not completely secure. As a result, these impact on children's welfare. The childminder ensures children have the opportunity to rest when necessary, but sleeping babies are not always checked regularly, to ensure their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm because the childminder is aware of the signs of abuse and has a good understanding of child protection issues. She knows how to seek advice, and will record her worries. Her concerns will be reported to the appropriate authority when necessary.

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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 outstanding. Children play in a relaxed atmosphere, where stimulating play opportunities are made available to them. They are well supported and motivated by the childminder, as she actively participates in their play. She draws children's attention to the nursery rhyme tape which is being played, and encourages them to put together a puzzle showing the characters from the songs. Children place the pieces that match the rhyme that is being sung, and make links between the pictures and the words. The childminder talks to children about the shape of the puzzle pieces and whether they will fit in the corners or not. She shows enthusiasm when children independently place pieces correctly.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's awareness of colour and number is raised by the childminder during their play. She sets children challenges, such as counting the number of boys or girls in a puzzle and giving the different shades of the clothing they are wearing. The childminder is inventive in the strategies she uses to assist children in their learning. For example, she removed one child's socks and used her toes to count on. The childminder engages children in conversation while they eat and play, developing their conversational skills. As a result, they are confident and willing to express their own ideas.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive because the childminder treats all with equal concern, and gives each child individual attention. She is exceptionally well organised, and asks parents to provide as much information as possible about their child when minding commences. This is used by the childminder to assist her in providing optimum care for children. For example, she knew that one child needed her dummy as a comforter when she was tired. The childminder has an extensive range of resources to support equal opportunities, and has recently attended a workshop to obtain more information on this subject. She would be happy to care for a child with learning difficulties or disabilities, as long as she felt she could fully meet their needs. The childminder is adaptable and will alter activities to enable all children to participate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has an extremely successful relationship with parents. She keeps daily diaries for parents of younger children, to inform them about essential details, such as nappy changes, and activities children have participated in. The childminder communicates with parents of older children at the end of the day and will speak to them on the telephone when necessary. Letters from parents reveal that they have great confidence in the care the childminder provides, and hold her in high regard. They believe that her help with matters such as potty training is invaluable, and that she offers excellent play opportunities for children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Positive behaviour is promoted by the childminder, as she praises children for small achievements. They are always encouraged to be polite towards each other and to follow the house rules, which include being kind to others. The childminder is consistent in her methods for coping with challenging behaviour, and effectively diffuses confrontational situations. The childminder is resourceful in implementing strategies for coping with unwanted behaviour in children.

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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 good. Children are safeguarded from harm when guests are present, as the childminder remains with them throughout the visit. The childminder is proactive in seeking training opportunities. She has attended a variety of courses since her last inspection, to update her knowledge, and enable her to improve the care she provides for children. The childminder has a folder of information for new parents, to inform them of how she organises her practice. Her attendance register is well completed, and children's records are regularly updated. The appropriate policies are in place, to safeguard children's welfare. Parents are informed of any complaints the childminder receives, which are thoroughly recorded. Her certificate of registration is on display, to make parents aware of her conditions of registration. The childminder stores her records securely to maintain confidentiality. She meets the needs of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last care inspection recommended that the childminder ensure procedures for checking adult members of the household meet the National Standards for Childminding. The childminder has now had appropriate checks completed for all adult members of her household, to ensure children's safety.

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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 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 sleeping babies are checked regularly • ensure the house and garden are free from hazards

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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 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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