Benson Community School

Inspection report for early years provision

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103362 Unique Reference Number 02 March 2007 Inspection date Linda Patricia Coccia 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 1997. She lives with her husband and two children aged over eight years in Gillingham, Kent. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children aged two and a half and five years. The childminder walks or drives to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. The family has two cats.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children participate in effective personal hygiene procedures. They wash their hands or use antibacterial wipes to wipe hands after using the toilet and after coming into contact with pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children learn about good hygiene practices. Children also benefit from the childminder’s effective written sick child policy which is shared with parents. Children's health records such as accident and existing injuries are recorded suitably in the childminders records and are maintained confidentially. Children are protected from cross contamination.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered a good selection of food which is healthy and nutritious. They are able to choose from a variety of snacks and fruit. The childminder works well with parents in this area and usually serves food that parents provide. Children also get involved in food activities such as icing biscuits and making cakes. Children learn about food handling procedures.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children visit a variety of localities to participate in a range of physical play activities such as the local park as well as using the childminder's secure garden. They use equipment such as bikes and swings and during the summer months have great fun with water play in the paddling pool. The childminder has photographic evidence of these activities. Children enjoy their physical play.

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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 spacious home where risks are identified and minimised. This means they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. Toys are clean and safe for children to use and they help to look after them by clearing them away after use. Children are able to select their toys for themselves from the quantity provided each day by the childminder. There is also a low level table and chair for the children to use. Children learn to respect their toys and use equipment which is suitable to their size.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder's safety procedures give high priority to helping children understand about safety such as wearing slippers to protect their feet and to staying safe when off the premises by using their car seats and wearing seat belts. The older children discuss emergency evacuation procedures with the childminder. They have also practised them but not on a regular basis. Children learn about safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected by the childminder's safeguarding children policy which she has recently updated after attending a local authority child protection course. The new information has been shared with parents. The childminder occasionally works with another childminder and the children have got to know her well. The childminder has a written child collection procedure which includes a password to be given when children are collected by persons other than their parents. Children's well being is promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a warm and caring relationship with their childminder. They are offered a range of activities, suitable for their ages and covering all areas of development. The younger children use a selection of art and craft materials, such as glue, glitter, textured materials like ribbons to make items which they can present to their parents, for example birthday cards. The children also use toys which help them learn as well as enjoying their play. One child ably used an

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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 electronic globe which requires hand/eye co-ordination and gives children information about other places around the world. Toys such as role play equipment and dressing up help children to act out scenes from home. Children are very much encouraged to use their imaginations.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a variety of photographs which show children having a good time with different activities such as visiting the local park, planting bulbs in the garden and tending them, dancing and using musical instruments. Children participate in a variety of interesting activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children benefit from the childminder's open attitude towards equal opportunities and special needs. They use toys with, and see positive images of, equality every time they attend. The childminder has a short but well written equal opportunities policy which is shared with parents. The small role play figures include a figure in a wheelchair and another wearing glasses. Children learn that people are all different in different ways.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved, polite and helpful. They enjoy caring for the childminder's cats and help the childminder feed them. The childminder's well thought out behaviour management policy includes strategies that can meet children's individual needs from distraction for younger children to discussion with older children about why behaviour is not acceptable. Children play within well defined boundaries.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children also benefit from the childminder working in partnership with their parents. The childminder's service statement is very well written and covers information which encourages parents to work with her to provide a warm and friendly atmosphere for the children. Information is exchanged verbally with parents at the end of each day although information can also be seen in the written daily activity records that the childminder keeps for each child. Children benefit from continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from their childminder's experience in caring for children as she has been registered for a number of years. She completed a childminding pre-registration course with her local authority and has a current paediatric first aid course certificate. Her registration document is displayed. All adults in the household have been vetted.

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Organisation

The childminder has good levels of paperwork completed on each child. Her attendance register is marked daily and all relevant paperwork is shared with parents. The childminder has completed a service contract with parents which is regularly reviewed. Children's records are confidential, regularly reviewed with their parents and stored appropriately. 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

Since the last inspection, the childminder has followed recommendations to develop her knowledge of child protection issues and to ensure the activities and resources promote equality. The childminder has attended child protection training which helps her ensure children are protected. She has also purchased toys displaying positive images of equality which will help children learn about each other's differences.

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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 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): • ensure that children have the opportunity to practise the emergency evacuation procedures on a regular basis.

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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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