Billingshurst Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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135183 Unique Reference Number 01 March 2008 Inspection date Renee Ashton 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 provider has been registered since 1997. At present the childminder cares for two children aged six and seven years old. She may care for no more than three children under eight years of age.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband and 17 year old son. They live in a two bedroom flat on the third floor of a block of flats. The living room is the main area of the home registered for childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The home is situated in Pimlico, which is a mainly residential area. There is a primary school situated next to the childminder's home. There are local parks, playgrounds, drop in groups and library within walking distance, which the applicant uses as part of her childminding day.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has attended a local authority childminding registration course and 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 happy and settled with the childminder as they return from school and choose their own resources, making themselves comfortable at the small table and chairs set out for them. Children play well together, as they try to build high towers with plastic construction blocks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from minor accidents as the childminder has been trained in first aid and has an up-to-date certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy the warm, clean and well-maintained environment of the childminder’s home. Children learn about health and hygiene procedures, as the childminder encourages them to wash their hands before snack time. The childminder provides separate hand towels for children in the bathroom, to minimise the spread of infection. Children enjoy plenty of fresh air and like to visit the local parks where there are opportunities to play on equipment or play football in the large pitch close by.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children feel secure, as routines are promoted by the childminder, ensuring they enjoy snack times, rest, play, reading books and homework. Children’s dietary needs are met as the childminder offers them healthy snacks after school, such as, banana, apple, pitta bread with cheese and fresh juice and water. Children like the opportunity at snack time to talk to the childminder about their weekend and to each other about their school day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder’s home is safe, warm and welcoming for children. The childminder has identified most risks and children are also aware of fire evacuation procedures, if an emergency arose. They describe quite clearly what they need to do in such an event, such as finding an adult straight away and heading towards the front door as their main exit.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe as the childminder is vigilant about use of locks on all windows and doors, with keys being accessible in any emergency. Children play with toys and equipment which meet the safety standards and are replaced if worn out and in poor condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has attended child protection training. She is also familiar with the procedures and who to contact in such an event. The childminder is able to demonstrate her knowledge and understanding of such issues clearly.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle in immediately, as they return from school with the childminder. They sit at the child size table and chairs and chat about what activities they want to do together. The children occupy themselves independently, accessing resources which are made readily available by the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are looked after well as the childminder attends training courses to update on her current childminding practice. Children’s needs are also met as the childminder ensures she

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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 helps with any general homework which needs to be covered. She addresses their questions in a calm and patient manner. Children are keen to get things right, such as spellings, which they rub out if they misspell and concentrate well, on getting this right, with the full support of the childminder. Children gain a sense of achievement when they do well. For example, completing homework or drawing a picture or writing well. The children are given stickers and smiley faces as a reward.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s well-being is fostered as the childminder informally exchanges information with teachers, at times, about the daily progress of the children, which is discussed with parents at collection times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are supervised as they use the computer for drawing and practising writing and spelling. Children are also encouraged to become skilful communicators, as they talk to the childminder about their weekend with their families and their day in school.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children enjoy their time with the childminder as she raises their awareness about different cultures and festivals through explanation, cooking and resources, such as books, dolls and special television programmes for children. Children integrate with the wider community, as they attend a multi-cultural school and visit a local community centre once a week, with the childminder, after school. They take part in arts and crafts along with other children from the local area.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder’s attendance at maths and games workshops, together with training in learning difficulties and disabilities. The childminder is happy to look after children from across the community and with differing levels of ability and learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has attended many courses over the years and demonstrates strong commitment to her work. However, there is a weakness regarding minimal written policies and procedures and information to parents about the provision. She has clear spoken English and children gain from her support with their homework, after school. The childminder is attending English Language classes to improve the quality of spoken and written English. She has good links with her child development officer who keeps her up-to-date on any ongoing training needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children understand how to behave well, as the childminder has clear boundaries which she maintains. For example, she stresses the importance of sharing toys and equipment and will suggest time out, if children are not agreeing to the house rules. Parents are in agreement with this strategy.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are safeguarded overall, as the childminder maintains an adequate level of necessary documentation. She carries all necessary insurance policies and registration certificates as a practicing childminder. There are parental consents which have been agreed verbally, such as not administering any medication to children at any time, unless contact has been made with parents by telephone. The attendance register is not always filled in to safeguard children on a daily basis, although this is mentioned in the childminder's accounting system. Basic policies and procedures are not available for parents. The childminder is, however, addressing this as

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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 she attends English classes to improve her quality of writing. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Organisation

Children are looked after well, as the childminder has sufficient understanding of the National Standards and the previous Birth to three matters framework. She has efficiently maintained all documents related to the many training courses she has attended during the period of minding to enhance her childminding practice.

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Organisation

The children respond warmly towards the childminder and exchange some banter and stories about their school day when they arrive at her home. Children immediately fall into a comfortable routine as they arrive at the childminder's house. They have access to a good range of resources, which are readily accessible. The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last report the childminder has improved on some of her documentation, but a recommendation is made to improve on this further to protect children's overall safekeeping.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has addressed all safety aspects in her home, which means children are further safeguarded.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has fully equipped the first aid box, so children are cared for during any minor accidents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder provides a range of toys and resources which are more suitable for children between the age of three to under eight years. This therefore meets children's developmental needs, more fully.

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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 • ensure that more detailed information in relation to all policies and procedures, is available for parents to see • complete daily attendance record by noting both arrival and departure times from childminding provision

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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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