Balksbury Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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116063 Unique Reference Number 05 February 2007 Inspection date Daphne Prescott 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 four children aged 9, 15, 17 and 19 years in Hounslow in the London borough of Hounslow. Part of the house is used for childminding and 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five all day and one child over five before and after school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the library. The family has no pets.

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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 are cared for in a warm and welcoming family home. Their health is well promoted as the childminder sustains a good level of cleanliness throughout her home. Children are learning the routines for good hygiene practice as they wash their hands before and after snacks. They are protected from unnecessary illness as they do not attend if they are unwell. The childminder maintains appropriate records when recording accidents and medication, this ensures children's health is supported and parents are kept informed. The childminder has also completed first aid training and holds a valid first aid certificate for the safety and wellbeing of children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Promoting children's good health is a high priority for the childminder. Healthy and nutritious meals and snacks are freshly prepared by the childminder. At snack time children sit together, creating a lovely social atmosphere as the childminder encourages the children to chat. Children are beginning to discover the importance of eating healthily, this is promoted by the childminder who encourages them to eat daily servings of fresh fruit. Children's individual dietary needs are clearly known and followed by the childminder. She discusses all dietary needs and food preferences with parents, which means that all children's individual needs are taken into account.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in a good range of indoor and outdoor physical activities. They have great opportunities to enjoy outings to the local park and library. They have daily walks to and from the local school. Children have access to a fully enclosed garden where they are able to run around freely and enjoy the benefits of fresh air and exercise.

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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 family home. Space has been organised to help children to explore independently and to rest, eat and play comfortably. There is a good range of toys and equipment, which means that the children's care and developmental needs are well met. Children independently select activities from a wide range of resources. The equipment and toys are in good condition and clean and are checked regularly by the childminder to ensure they are safe for the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

They are cared for in a child focused environment where risks are identified and reduced to safeguard the children. The childminder has good arrangements in place to ensure children's safety. For example, emergency escape plans have been devised and practised with children to ensure that they can be evacuated quickly from the premises. Smoke alarms and a fire blanket are in place, which help towards keeping children safe. Children are kept safe on outings as a result of the childminder's actions. For example, she teaches them about road safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is protected through the childminder’s good understanding of her role and responsibility in child protection. For example, she is aware of the indicators of abuse and the procedures for reporting any concerns.

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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 good. Children are becoming independent as they choose from a wide range of resources that are easily accessible to them. Resources are suitable for the ages and development of the children cared for. The childminder encourages them in their play and they receive lots of individual attention, which enables them to successfully extend their learning and experiences. For example, they recognise colours and identify numbers and count one to ten. The childminder interacts with the children in a warm, caring and positive manner, giving the children lots of cuddles and attention.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They enjoy listening to stories, as they childminder sits with the children and encourages them to be involved in the story by asking them questions, 'What else can you see in the picture?' They are beginning to understand that print carries meaning; they enjoy looking at the pictures in the book. Children are beginning to become skilful communicators as they are developing their vocabulary and communication skills as the childminder encourages them to chat. They talk about the different types of weather and tell the childminder that when it is raining they can splash in the puddles. Children are beginning to learn to play together and to share their toys. They all sit together with the childminder and build different constructions out of stickle bricks, the childminder praises the children and they smile with delight at their achievements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They partake in activities such as creative play, providing the children with opportunities to practise their fine motor skills as they paint and draw. They enjoy regular outings to child-friendly settings such as the library and parent and toddler groups. This gives them opportunities to explore new activities and enjoy relationships with the other children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy at the childminder's home. Their individual routines are well known and followed, which encourages their feelings of security and familiarity. The childminder talks about what each of the children like to do, and their routines and sleeping preferences. The childminder is aware of the children's needs, for example she notices when a child needs a sleep.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

As children are fully engaged in meaningful play, their behaviour is good. The childminder uses age-appropriate and positive strategies to manage any difficulties that may arise, such as distraction techniques to engage children in other activities. They are developing a positive self-image of themselves as the childminder offers praise and encouragement in their daily activities. Through the variety of resources provided, children are developing a positive view of the wider world, for example, children have access to a variety of books and dolls that represent people of different cultures. The childminder has acknowledged some festivals with children, such as Diwali and Eid. She also takes children to different places of interest to encourage their learning of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in partnership with parents, this contributes significantly to children's wellbeing. The childminder ensures that parents know how their children are progressing and

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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 developing. Information is shared verbally with parents on a daily basis. The childminder's polices are in writing which provides appropriate information for parents. However, there is no method in place to record complaints for children's safety and wellbeing.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The home is well-organised to allow children the freedom to explore and move safely. Children are happy, confident and feel at home as they receive lots of warm individual attention to promote their emotional wellbeing. The indoor environment is laid out to make the most of the available space and maximise children's play opportunities. They are able to make their own choices and freely select toys independently. This supports children in developing their independence and confidence.

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Organisation

Through the childminder's frequent attendance on training courses, she is enhancing her skills and knowledge of a variety of childcare related topics. For example, Yoga for babies and Be Healthy workshops. As a result, the children's experiences in the care of the childminder remain positive and in line with current good practice.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps the required records that contribute to children's health, safety and wellbeing, which are shared with parents. The childminder has in place most of the required documents. However, the childminder does not have a system in place to log complaints. Children enjoy the time they spend with the childminder as she has good knowledge and understanding of caring for children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder agreed to maintain a current first aid certificate and ensure all accidents are recorded, and parent's signatures are obtained for each entry. Both recommendations have been completed. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and records all accidents, which are signed by parents for children's safety and wellbeing.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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): • provide a complaints log to record any 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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