Belleville Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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100998 Unique Reference Number 05 January 2007 Inspection date Shirley Ann Jackson 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 since 1998. She lives with her husband and their four children, aged 10, 13, 15 and 18 years in a three bedroom semi-detached house in Hucclecote, a residential area on the outskirts of Gloucester. The house is close to shops, parks and the local primary school. The whole house is used for childminding, at the childminder's discretion. There is a garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder offers care to children attending the local school. She does not offer care during school holidays. There are currently eight children on roll aged from four to 10 years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family keep guinea pigs and rabbits as pets but minded children do not have contact with these animals.

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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 play within a warm, homely environment. They remove their shoes when they enter the house and hang their jackets on coat pegs. This encourages children to maintain a clean play environment. Children's health is promoted as the childminder has suitable procedures in place for dealing with accidents and administering medication. However, hand washing procedures do not prevent the risk of cross infection as children share one towel to dry their hands.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children bring packed lunches to the childminder's home. These are stored appropriately by the childminder. This means the children are able to enjoy familiar foods and parents are aware of quantities eaten. Drinks are provided by parents, but the childminder will supplement these if necessary.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have satisfactory opportunities to enjoy physical development. The childminder walks the children to and from school each day so they enjoy fresh air and exercise. Children are occasionally taken to the nearby park. However, the garden is only used during the better weather when children play outside. This limits the opportunities for children to develop their large motor skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder promotes children's safety as she has sound procedures in place when out with the children. Children are aware of these and are able to practise them on a daily basis when walking to and from school. Children move safely within the childminder's home, for example, from room to room. They are beginning to learn about keeping themselves safe as the childminder gives clear safety explanations when she feels they may be at risk, for example, when sitting on a little stool.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to freely choose some resources from the range offered. Toys offered are good quality which meet safety standards and they are well maintained. The childminder monitors resources used and changes them on a regular basis to offer variety to the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted and safeguarded by the childminder. She has a sound knowledge of the signs and indicators of abuse and is aware of the correct procedures to follow if she has concerns. She is also aware of the procedures if an allegation of abuse is made against her.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle and are comfortable in childminder's home. They have warm relationships with the childminder and enjoy having a cuddle. Children develop self-esteem and confidence through

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 positive interactions with the childminder, for example, when chatting about the childminder's necklace. Their social skills develop during regular visits to the local playgroup.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are beginning to become independent learners as they help themselves to some resources. Children's communication skills are supported as the childminder listens carefully to them and responds appropriately. The childminder and children enjoy lengthy chats when the childminder asks questions which encourage children to think for themselves. Children enjoy a satisfactory range of activities which contribute to their imagination and creativity such as role play and small world play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's sense of achievement and independence is promoted through the childminder giving them time to complete tasks, such as, playing with the dolls house. Children are encouraged to relate to others as they play together, for example, when learning new dance routines.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has some resources which reflect positive images of the wider community. This helps to raise children's awareness of diversity. All children have equal access to toys and resources and their choices are respected. This builds their self-esteem and helps them to value one another as individuals. Children are cared for as individuals by the childminder as she gathers relevant information to enable her to do this.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are happy and feel comfortable in the childminder's home. They have warm relationships with the childminder and her family. Young children develop their social skills as they visit the childminder's friends. Children are well-behaved and polite as they say "please" and "thank you" at lunchtime. House rules are in place and are verbally shared with the children on a regular basis. This ensures that children are aware of the boundaries. Children have some opportunities to make choices, such as, choosing from resources in the cupboard.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder builds friendly, working relationships with parents. The childminder makes herself available to chat to parents at the end of the day. This allows her to share details of how their child has been and what they have done. This keeps parents informed and involved. However, the childminder does not have a secure knowledge and understanding of the processes and documentation needed for recording complaints, which is a breach of regulations.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises the space within her home to enable children to play freely and to access some resources for themselves. Children are comfortable in their surroundings and feel at home within the environment. They are supported by the childminder in their play and learning as she is on hand to extend their play when needed. However, the garden is not used to its full potential.

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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 childminder is experienced and clearly enjoys spending time with the children. She recognises the importance of helping to prevent the risk of cross-infection, making better use of the garden and of maintaining a complaints log.

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Organisation

Most legally required documentation is in place and is appropriately maintained. The childminder has produced some written policies. However, these were written some years ago. These are shared with parents on their initial visit. Overall, 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 agreed to: consider different ways to enhance children's development through the play opportunities offered and ensure that her assistant is not left alone with children until she is cleared to do so.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's care has improved as the childminder now gets out some resources for the children as well as giving them opportunities to choose resources for themselves. The childminder no longer works with an assistant and is aware of the procedures to follow if she wants to do this again.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 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.

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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): • ensure that appropriate hand washing procedures are in place to prevent the risk of cross-infection • provide additional opportunities to children by making effective use of the garden, even in inclement weather, to enable children to develop their large physical skills

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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 processes are in place to obtain a secure knowledge and understanding of the processes and documentation needed for recording complaints

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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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