Great Berry Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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114908 Unique Reference Number 27 November 2006 Inspection date Rosemary Musgrove 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 1999. She lives with her husband and family in Broadbridge Heath, near Horsham, West Sussex. Children have access to a lounge, kitchen/dining area and an enclosed rear garden.

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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. She is currently minding five children on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has a dog, two cats and two gerbils.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children to the local park, toddler groups and the library.

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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 good. Children have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the fresh air and develop their physical skills. In the summer they visit a local park where they play football and use the equipment in the playground. They regularly visit another childminder where they ride on the wheeled vehicles in her garden. After school they enjoy running around in the childminder's garden or practising their skipping and hula hoop skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Minded children enjoy a healthy snack in the afternoon. They choose from a wide range of fruit including grapes, bananas, apples and raisins. Parents or carers provide a lunch box for the children. This means that children with allergies and cultural dietary requirements have suitable food. Children have regular drinks and these include water or sugar free squash.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are looked after in a hygienic and orderly environment. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through effective daily routines. They independently wash and dry their hands after playing in the garden and before eating their fruit. The childminder has a number of household pets and is aware of the necessary precautions to protect children. She has fitted a safety gate to secure an area of the kitchen where the drinking bowls are on the floor.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and is able to administer first aid in the event of an accident. If a child has an infectious disease she is happy to mind them if no other children are attending, or if the parents of minded children are happy with the arrangement. The childminder has requested parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment and she maintains detailed records when a child has an injury or accident.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a well-organised environment. They have plenty of space inside and out of doors. This means they move around freely and independently and select their favourite toys. Children are motivated to choose from a variety of different resources including dressing up clothes, board games and construction equipment. The childminder shows new children all her toys so they know what is available for their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy their play in a safe and secure home. The childminder has taken the necessary precautions to minimise risks and to keep children safe. She checks her house to ensure that nothing unsuitable is left out and she removes all cups and glasses before minded children arrive. The childminder has a number of safety measures in place, such as socket covers, a fire guard and safety locks on kitchen drawers and cupboards. The outside area is secure with fencing and a locked side gate, however, an uncovered drain poses a potential hazard for young children. The childminder has a written emergency evacuation procedure. Children have fire drills and can say where they would go in the event of a fire. This means they are learning how to look after themselves and stay safe in the event of an emergency.

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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 The childminder has a good understanding of the precautions that are needed when children go on local trips. She talks to the children about road safety and they know they must stop, look and listen. This means that children are beginning to think about how to keep themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an awareness of some signs and symptoms of child abuse. However, she is not fully aware of the procedures to follow if an allegation is made or she had concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are relaxed and settled in the childminder's home. They are motivated and keen to select their favourite toys, this means they spend their time purposefully. For example, young children choose to complete a number of wooden jigsaw puzzles and are enthusiastic about sharing a book with the childminder. The childminder has a good understanding of children's developmental stages. She helps young children develop their skills of observation and matching. During an egg game they carefully look, notice similarities and differences, then carefully match different eye shapes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

After school, minded children let off steam in the childminder's garden and play imaginary games with a friend. The childminder responds to their interests, for example, when they notice that they can see the moon, even though it is still light. Children are absorbed and motivated for an extended period as they carefully select colours and devise a pattern with the hammer beads.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder helps children to extend and develop their language skills. For example, children are keen, really have fun and enthusiastically participate as they share the story of the Bear Hunt with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy creative activities at the childminder's home. These include sticking magic maize pieces onto paper in order to create a collage and decorating biscuits. The childminder has a love of birds and she shares her enthusiasm with the children. They enjoy preparing the breadcrumbs and food for the birds to eat. In summer months children do some creative activities outside. They particularly enjoy chalking and painting with water.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children meet and socialise with other children in the local community. They regularly visit toddler groups, the library and Magic Minders.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good awareness of individual needs and she treats children with respect. They know that she listens and responds to their preferences or requests. Children play with resources that reflect positive images of disability and other cultures. For example, they play with small world figures and look at different countries on the Oxfam world map. This means they are learning about individual differences and the needs of other people. Children take

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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 part in a range of activities that help them to develop an understanding of different cultures. They make paper lights during the Indian festival of Diwali and learn about Shofar, the Jewish festival. During Harvest Festival they taste a number of different foods including sugar snap peas.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has experience of dealing with children with learning difficulties. She has devised resources, such as photographs, to help with a child's communication. She is always happy to consider minding a child who has specific needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well during their time with the childminder. They show consideration for each other, for example, an older child helps a younger one to wash their hands. The childminder uses a range of appropriate behaviour management strategies including encouragement, removal from the situation and if necessary, time out. The childminder praises the children, for example, when they have successfully completed an activity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder talks to parents each day. Before minding she finds out anything that will have a bearing on the child's day, such as if they slept well the previous night. When children are collected the childminder shares information about the child's day with their parents. This means they know about important events in their child's life. The childminder has the appropriate documentation and procedures in place, if a parent wished to make a complaint.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is committed to improving her childminding service and tries to keep abreast of changes. She has done a range of recent training courses and has a number of suitable childcare qualifications. This means that children are cared for by a childminder with a good level of relevant childcare knowledge.

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Organisation

Children play in a well-organised home with a range of suitable resources. They have sufficient adult attention to help them feel secure and confident. This means that children have guidance from the childminder when needed and also have opportunities and are encouraged to initiate their own play and learning.

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Organisation

The childminder has all relevant documentation in place. This is well maintained and securely stored. She has a number of written statements including an uncollected child policy and a behaviour management statement. These procedures support the childminder's practice and contribute to the well-being of the children.

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Organisation

Verbal information about the child is shared with parents on a daily basis. This contributes to and supports the continuity of the children's care.

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Organisation

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

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain current Child Protection Area Committee Procedures and to ensure that parents are aware of the contact details of the regulator in the event of a complaint.

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Improvements since the last inspection

After the last inspection the childminder obtained the Child Protection Area Committee Procedures and the contact details of the regulator are included within the complaints procedure. This means that children are looked after by a childminder who has information about child protection procedures and that parents are aware of the contact details of the regulator, should they wish to make a complaint.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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 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): • extend and update knowledge and understanding of child protection issues.

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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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