Little Bloxwich CofE VC Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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104222 Unique Reference Number 31 May 2007 Inspection date Sara Bailey 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 registered in 1993. She lives with her husband and her two adult children. They live in Hemyock, Somerset. All of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding. Bathroom facilities are also on this floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to provide care for six children under eight, three of whom may be under five years at any one time. There are currently eight children under eight years on roll, five of whom are under five years, who attend on a part time basis. The childminder also cares for children over the age of eight years.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is promoted through the childminder's established routines. For example, children are supported to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet or playing outside. They use liquid soap and individual paper towels to prevent cross infection. After eating they use individual wet wipes independently, to clean their hands and faces. However, the table is not cleaned before children's food is placed directly on to it, which puts them at

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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 risk of contamination. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate and maintains accurate accident and medication records, which are countersigned by parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from healthy, nutritious snacks and meals provided by the childminder. For example, fresh fruit, dried fruit and occasional treats are given at snack time. Meals are homemade, for example, spaghetti Bolognese or meals using fresh vegetables. Children's daily intake of fruit and vegetables is recorded by the childminder and displayed in the kitchen for children to develop an understanding of the importance of healthy eating through discussion about these charts. Children enjoy tasting chocolate Brioche, which the childminder has brought back from a recent trip to France. Drinks are readily available at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular outside play opportunities to develop their physical skills. Children talk about how they enjoy playing in the garden on sit-and-ride tractors. They also visit local parks and toddler groups and sometimes walk to and from pre-school or school for exercise and fresh air.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are generally safe within the home as most potential hazards have been identified and addressed. For example, a stair-gate is used effectively to prevent children accessing the first floor, the Aga is protected with a wall mounted fire-guard when in use and dangerous substances are inaccessible through the use of safety catches on low kitchen units. However, children are risk from tripping over the raised edges of a rug situated between two rooms constantly accessed by them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children safely select toys from storage within the downstairs bathroom, with supervision from the childminder. They have easy access to a range of age appropriate resources, which are regularly rotated. Baby equipment such as a travel cot and highchair are clean and well maintained. The childminder regularly checks on sleeping babies and also uses a monitor to maintain their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has a good knowledge of child protection issues. She has attended child protection training and kept up to date through regular discussions with childminding support groups. This has ensured she is confident about the signs and procedures to follow in the event of being concerned about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy and settled at the childminder's. They are confident and thrive on positive relationships with the childminder. For example, they tease and have fun with her, seek her out for cuddles and lead their play. The childminder gives children choices about their play activities and meets individual needs exceptionally well. Younger children choose to play with play-dough whilst an older child asks to play a game on his own. All children are effectively engaged in their own activities with excellent interaction to support their learning. For example, the childminder asks the children lots of open ended questions, encourages them to problem solve for themselves and develops their language skills. Children are challenged according to their individual age and stage of development through the childminder's skilful deployment. She talks to children at one activity whilst engaged in play with another child at the same table,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

giving praise and encouragement to motivate and stimulate them whilst her attention is shared

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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 between them all. She competently manages the needs of three children under the age of five years at one time.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children use their imagination enthusiastically in their role play. For example, they pretend to be Mummies and Daddies with their baby dolls, and they use a fire-guard to become a 'prison'. Children enjoy participating with the inspection process, giving lots of examples of how they enjoy their time at the childminder's. They talk positively about their play and outings to the park. Children are beginning to learn French through the use of a 'Dora the Explorer' story book recently introduced to the children to develop their interest in the childminder's recent French visitors and her own weekend visit to France, where she also brought back traditional French food from for the children to try. A world map displayed at child height also develops their interest in the wider world. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework, which is used as a reference for ideas rather than a working

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

framework, as children under three years needs are met so effectively already.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about equality through everyday experiences and discussions. For example, boys and girls have equal access to resources and positive images of diversity are promoted through some toys and resources. The childminder has some experience of caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities. Children benefit from positive behaviour management strategies. For example, children are praised and encouraged verbally and through the use of reward charts. The childminder is consistent and sets clear boundaries for the children but takes into account their age and understanding. Children learn about appropriate behaviour through discussion, which enables them to take responsibility for their own actions. Children are very well behaved and follow instruction well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from an informal partnership between their parents and the childminder. For example, the childminder talks to parents at the beginning and end of the day. Parents are provided with an information pack on admission, which contains copies of policies. A signature is obtained from parents to show that these policies are understood. However, parents are given some conflicting advice about the complaints procedure, which could cause confusion. For example, the written policy does not reflect changes in regulation, in accordance with the up to date poster they are also given. The childminder obtains written parental consent for emergency medical treatment, prior to administering medication and for outings or travelling by car. This ensures parents wishes are respected and individual needs are met effectively.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children benefit from the childminder's effective organisation of space and resources. For example, childminding takes place in two main areas of the home, both with easy access to the storage of toys and can be supervised effectively. However, the rug in the hall between the two rooms is a potential safety hazard. The childminder has a clear routine, which the children respond positively to. For example, they enjoy free play at home, have a designated snack time and then craft activities or child led play until lunch at the dinning room table. Daily outings to the park or for walks and regular attendance at toddler groups ensure children enjoy a variety of activities.

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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 Most documentation is clear and professional. For example, the childminder uses Devon Childminding Association paperwork for recording accidents, medication and daily attendance and has adopted their policies. However, the complaints policy has not been updated since changes were made to regulation, which gives conflicting information to parents. The childminder displays her registration certificate, keeps evidence of household members' suitability and her own training on file as evidence of her ongoing suitability.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last care inspection in 2004, one recommendation was raised in relation to the information parents receive about the complaints procedure. Although this was addressed at the time, the policy shared with parents has not been updated and amended since new changes and regulations in October 2005. Although parents are given a poster provided by Ofsted, the information on this and the policy contradict each other, causing possible confusion to parents. Therefore a further recommendation has been raised to ensure the information parents receive about the complaints procedure is updated and consistent.

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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. 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 children are safe from all tripping hazards • ensure parents are given consistent information regarding the complaints procedure and that this is always updated to reflect current regulation.

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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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