Borstal Manor Community School

Inspection report for early years provision

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118492 Unique Reference Number 14 March 2007 Inspection date Glenda Sinclair 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 first registered in 1990. She lives with her husband and adult son and daughter. The family own three cats. The childminder's home is a three-bedroom semi-detached property in the Worle area of North Somerset. The whole house is registered to care for children but most play takes place on the ground-floor and in the enclosed rear garden. Local amenities include schools, shops, parks, toddler and playgroups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and currently has five children on her books, all of whom attend part-time. She is prepared to take and collect children from Mendip Green Primary School and St Martins Junior School. There were no minded children present at the time of the inspection.

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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. Through discussion, the childminder is able to show that children learn about personal hygiene as she reminds them to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. This process starts from an early age as the childminder uses wipes to clean babies' hands. However, as children share one hand towel to dry their hands, there is a risk of infection spreading amongst them. Children have many opportunities for fresh air and exercise. The childminder likes to take children out as much as possible and there are frequent trips to parks, soft play areas and the beach. The family cats are cared for well with regular vaccinations, for example, and therefore they pose no risk to children's health. Children sleep in either a buggy or a travel cot, depending on their own and their parents' preference. The childminder caters well for young children's emotional well-being, taking time to settle them in and encouraging parents to withdraw

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder tries to encourage a healthy diet. Children learn that crisps and chocolate are an occasional treat. Snacks consist of dried or fresh fruit and milk, fruit smoothies or water to drink. Children always drink water with their lunch, which often includes crackers and cheese or soup, followed by rice pudding or fromage frais. Drinks are available on demand to prevent dehydration.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's home is clean, warm and child-friendly. Through discussion, the childminder is able to show that she has thought carefully about issues of safety. She ensures that her rotary washing line is kept in the up position so that children cannot become entangled in it. Her toys and equipment are in very good condition and checked regularly. They pose no risk to children's safety. On outings in the car, children sit in seats appropriate to their age and size. When walking, children are on reins or harnessed in the pushchair. Sleeping children are checked frequently and all dangerous substances are stored in high cupboards or behind safety gates. All glass is either safety glass or covered in special film so that children are unable to cut themselves, if they fall against it. Smoke alarms are tested and batteries changed regularly and the childminder notes this in her diary. Security is good and children are unable to leave

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

unsupervised. However, children could lock themselves in the bathroom because of the low bolt on the bathroom door.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a reasonable knowledge of the signs and indicators of abuse and she is aware of the procedure to follow, if she has concerns about the safety or welfare of an individual child.

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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. Through discussion the childminder is able to show that children enjoy their play. She talks well with children, helping them to expand their vocabulary and stimulate their learning. She has the experience and knowledge to gauge children's ability and provides appropriate activities to help with their development and to make their learning fun. Children take their teddies for walks, go on picnics, build, read and listen to stories, play in the tent or on bikes in the garden. The childminder ensures that firm favourites are put out every day, which has the effect of reassuring children and making them feel valued. They have access to various hats for role play and enjoy pretend play, such as 'going shopping' and counting their money out. Children also enjoy cookery activities. Very young children join in at their own level and ice plain biscuits. After-school activities are much less organised and children are able to choose to play, colour

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

or watch some television in the brief period they are with the childminder. Children also learn about the world around them as they go on trips to the park or beach.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Through discussion it is evident that the childminder's knowledge of the children in her care enables her to provide the individual attention they need. She has resources, which reflect a positive picture of the diversity within society and she is prepared to tackle discrimination as it arises. The childminder has no experience of working with children with learning difficulties or disabilities, but is prepared to do so once she has taken into account the needs of all the children in her care. The childminder is able to show an understanding of the value of distraction and praise in behaviour management. She is aware that giving children a little responsibility often brings out the best in them. She has built a good partnership with parents and is sensitive to parents' feelings about having to leave their child with a childminder. She keeps them well informed about their child's progress with daily diaries. She encourages introductory visits to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

benefit both children and their parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her home, time and resources well to ensure that children are able to play and learn in a safe and comfortable environment. She displays her registration certificate and has a current first-aid certificate and public liability insurance. All adults in the house are cleared as suitable and pose no risk to children.

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Organisation

She uses a diary to record the actual times of children's arrival and departure and the accident and medication records are used appropriately. Contracts are in place and children's records contain the information necessary to protect them from harm. All required parental permissions are in place and paperwork is up-to-date and stored confidentially.

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Organisation

Overall, evidence suggests that 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 her last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain written permission to transport children in a vehicle. She is now using a National Childminding Association form which contains parental permissions for many different activities. Children are therefore suitably protected.

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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 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): • investigate various methods of hand-drying to minimise the risk of cross infection.

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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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