Bishops Down Primary and Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

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118468 Unique Reference Number 15 February 2007 Inspection date Rachael Williams 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 has been registered since 1996. She lives with her husband and three children in a house in the Milton area of North Somerset. There are a few local shops, a park and a pre-school within easy walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding which includes kitchen, hallway, lounge, playroom and conservatory. At present, there is no fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years old. At present, she has five children on role. She also cares for children over eight years old.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis.

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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 introduced to some hygienic practices to maintain their well-being. For example, the childminder ensures separate tissues are used to wipe children's noses. However, children are not fully protected from the spread of infection while sleeping and during nappy changing. Although hygienic hand washing arrangements have been established, for instance individual towels are used to dry hands, children are not encouraged to wash their hands before eating their snack.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is safeguarded in an emergency as the childminder has good knowledge of first aid through regularly attending relevant courses. There is a fully stocked and maintained first aid box and appropriate consents are gained to ensure children's well-being. Accidents and existing injuries are effectively recorded and confidentially shared with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are regularly offered drinks to ensure they remain hydrated. Children are introduced to a healthy lifestyle as they are offered nutritious snacks, such as savoury biscuits and a selection of fruit. The childminder encourages children to sit together with her for snack in order to encourage children's social skills. Children are provided with a balance of healthy, home made lunches which are prepared in a hygienic kitchen.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to be active. For example, children have daily walks to the school. Children's physical skills are further developed through regular visits to the park where children are encouraged to climb, slide and balance. Within the home children are able to develop coordination skills as they thoroughly enjoy playing with the ride-on car and pushing the buggy around the hall.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to move freely and independently within the clean home. Children have access to an appropriate range of resources according to their age and stage of development within the dedicated play room. Toys are safe and in good condition and are rotated regularly to provide children with a range of experiences.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are closely supervised by a vigilant childminder who has good understanding and knowledge of procedures to ensure children's safety. Children are protected whilst on outings. For example, relevant consents are gained from parents to escort children in the car and appropriate car seats and restraints are used. The childminder ensures that she has all emergency details for each child whilst she is out. The childminder identifies possible risks to the children, such as the rear garden, and takes appropriate, prompt action to ensure their safety. Children are well protected at collection as the childminder ensures she has met all possible, suitable adults and a password system is used to clarify details. Children benefit from a secure environment, for instance stair gates are used to prevent access to the first floor and to the

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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 kitchen. An emergency evacuation procedure has been formalised and practised with the children to maintain their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has very good knowledge of child protection issues which ensures children's well-being is safeguarded. She has good understanding of the possible signs of child abuse or neglect and excellent relationships with social services to ensure appropriate procedures are followed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has established good, caring relationships with the children. For example, she distracts a young child with familiar activities as he is unsure of new people. He thoroughly enjoys exploring small world toys to find the Noddy characters and is challenged to fit Noddy into his car and push him along the carpet.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children confidently select activities they enjoy and are provided with a range of experiences within the well-equipped play room. The childminder interacts well with the children, for instance a toddler decides to engage in a colouring activity and the childminder supports her development by encouraging her to identify the colours. The childminder shows a younger child how to care for her baby which she imitates confidently.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's social skills are further developed through regular attendance at a toddler group. They enjoy participating in songs as they walk back from the toddler group. The children enjoy musical activities. For instance, a toddler thoroughly enjoys playing with the battery operated guitar. She smiles as she hears the sound and taps her feet in time to the rhythm.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children behave well as they understand expectations and boundaries. They are good at sharing and playing cooperatively for instance, a child playing with the ride-on car is content for another child to place toys in the boot to be transported. Appropriate behaviour management strategies are shared with parents to ensure consistency in care. However, incidents, such as kicking, are not recorded effectively. Children are regularly praised for their good behaviour and achievements and are given clear direction by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are confident and settled as good relationships have been established. The childminder has good knowledge of children's needs and interests, for instance she is able to distract an insecure child with his favourite toy. There are some resources to reflect the diversity in our society. However, this has not been fully developed as the childminder supplements her provision through the use of the toddler group. The childminder provides a fully inclusive environment where activities are adapted to include all. Regular observations and exchange of information with parents ensures children's welfare and development are promoted well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Close relationships have been established with parents to ensure there is a regular exchange of information which effectively supports children's individual needs. Appropriate information

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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 is available to ensure parents are informed of childminding practices, including the complaints procedure, to ensure continuity in care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are closely supervised by a caring childminder who is in the process of ensuring all household members have been appropriately screened. The spacious environment is organised well to enable children to move freely and independently. The local environment is used productively to further support children's learning. The daily register accurately records children's time of attendance to ensure they are effectively supported and ratios are maintained.

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Organisation

All relevant documentation has been established and is readily available to ensure children's welfare, care and learning are promoted effectively. Documentation is stored securely and most remains confidential. However, children's records are stored together and not easily accessed whilst maintaining confidentiality.

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Organisation

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 received recommendations relating to suitability, documentation, safety and health. On the whole, these have been satisfactorily addressed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has ensured that appropriate screening has been commenced for all household members to ensure children's safety.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has established information to share with parents on her childminding practices which is kept up-to-date. Her accident record also includes existing injuries to maintain children's health and well-being. At present, not all significant behaviour issues are recorded in order to monitor children's individual behaviour.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has completed a risk assessment of the garden and, at present, this is not being used in order to protect children during the building work and landscaping of the garden.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder is aware of recording medication which has been administered to the children and sharing this information with parents to ensure children's well-being.

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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 complaint 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): • improve arrangements to maintain hygiene, in particular hand washing before meals and snacks, sleeping and nappy changing to ensure children are protected from the cross contamination of germs • ensure a record of all behavioural incidents is established

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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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