Beaufort Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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140508 Unique Reference Number 18 April 2007 Inspection date Jane Plested 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 January 2001 and lives in a house in the town of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and nine years. The childminder uses all rooms on the ground level and toilet facilities are on this level. A bedroom up stairs is available for children to have sleeps if required. There is a fully enclosed rear garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for no more than four children under eight years. There are seven children on roll. The childminder has two dogs, two cats, snails and stick insects as pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children frequently participate in challenging outdoor activities to support their good health. They have regular and frequent access to the garden where children can play on the slide, balance on stilts and use a small trampoline to develop skills for balance and co-ordination. Children also regularly go on outings to Willen Lake, Waddesdon Manor adventure playground or Ashridge Woods where they can run, climb, and have fresh air and keep fit.

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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 the importance of good personal hygiene through well-planned daily routines. They know for example, they should use hand wipes after eating sticky food. They routinely wash their hands for their meals when the childminder talks about this preventing germs spreading. The premises are warm, well maintained and clean. This good practice minimises the spread of infection so children stay healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

First aid resources are well-organised and accessible both in the home and on outing. Clear records are in place documenting any accidents and medication given to children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s meals are generally healthy and support a varied diet. Food provided by parents or taken on picnics is stored with good food hygiene in mind, to minimise the risk of contamination. Meals are taken together at the table and these form an ideal forum for conversations which the childminder encourages. She is proactive in encouraging children to eat their packed lunches to ensure they remain well nourished. Children can access drinks at all times and the childminder reminds younger children to drink so they remain refreshed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit as the childminder keeps a welcoming and well-maintained home environment with ample space for them to play. The toys and equipment for use by children is suitable and accessible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The majority of risks to children are minimised because the childminder uses a suitable range of equipment to prevent accidents in the home. For example, stair gates are in place and exterior doors are secure. Fire safety procedures are also effective and practices ensure older children understand how to evacuate the house safely. Most electrical sockets are covered but those uncovered pose a small risk to children. The childminder has a clear awareness of potential hazards on outings and is able to describe how she plans to keep children safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has agreed collection procedures in place. She also has a good understanding of child protection procedures and documentation such as, the Local Safeguarding Children Board’s (LSCB) Leaflet for reference. She says she always records pre-existing injuries to protect both the children and herself. This good practice will ensure the well- being of children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are at home as they chatter with the childminder, other adults and their peers. Any children with settling issues receive very sensitive support from the childminder so they relax and enjoy their time in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have very many opportunities to select their play materials and the childminder routinely consults them about their planned activities. For instance, the children changed the planning in order to repeat a visit to Waddesdon play area, because they has enjoyed their previous visit so much. This demonstrates children’s opinions are highly valued.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses the activities extremely effectively to encourage children to learn to share favourite resources such as ‘the dough factory’. She skilfully develops children’s understanding

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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 of feelings as they complete bear puzzles. She does this by asking children questions like “how is your bear feeling?, is it happy or sad?”.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are also encouraged to learn during routines such as lunch, when the childminder ably encourages them to count the raisins on their plate and talks about why it is important to wash hands. She promotes spontaneous opportunities for number and shape recognition, for instance, they talk about the shape of sandwiches. When children use the sound for ‘H’ independently the childminder is very effective in reinforcing their learning by providing other words beginning with the letter. This encourages the children's abilities to link letters with sounds.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are routinely learning to use tools, such as scissors, with the ‘dough barber’s shop’. The childminder also skilfully uses the dough activity effectively to develop children's ability to make conversation and to help them recall past events, such as visiting the hairdresser and grandma. They talk about their own hair colours and that of family members so the become aware of differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children experience a number of opportunities to help them learn about the wider world. For example, they experience a range of interesting outings within the local and wider community. During these and in other conversations the childminder encourages them to talk about differences. The childminder ensures the play resources are accessible so they can select their activities easily. She is pro-active in encouraging children to be independent by asking them to help and by encouraging independence in toileting, thus developing a sense of self worth.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well. They respond to the childminder’s requests to help and play harmoniously with puzzles, dough and small world toys with their peers. This results in a warm and friendly environment. They know the house rules, for example, taking shoes off indoors and holding the buggy when on outings. The childminder offers praise and encouragement during their play thus building their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Systems for promoting the partnership with parents are good. The childminder has a comprehensive range of written policies and procedures for looking after children that parents receive and sign to say they have read. She has well-written complaints procedures demonstrating a clear understanding of process she should follow if children’s parents are unhappy with the care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Written references from parents are positive. They feel the childminder treats their children as part of the family and comment on the high quality of the care. This demonstrates a high level of satisfaction with the quality of children’s service.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises the environment generally well and is therefore a child-centred setting with accessible toys set out on low shelves. The childminder sets out activities she knows interest children such as puzzles and dough. The activities for children are planned, well organised and they are consulted so they feel valued and enjoy their play.

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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 The childminder has attended training offered by Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership since her last inspection on 'Birth to three matters', documentation and first aid. As a result, children and their families receive an increasingly professional childcare service. The records and policies are detailed and well written and there are effective systems for sharing these and the day-to-day care of children. 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 agreed to complete a first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children; to obtain written permission from parents to allow children to play outside, and for her to give first aid and to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. She also agreed to obtain the local Area Child Protection Committee's guidance, and to extend the range of toys and materials that promote equality of opportunity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has now completed a relevant first aid course so that she is competent to manage minor injuries to children. She has all the recommended parental agreements so both parties agree children’s care. The childminder has sought a copy of the latest child protection guidance to ensure she acts correctly if concerned about a child’s well-being. Children are encouraged to develop conversations about issues such as disability, families and different countries. Some positive images of differences are available in the play materials but this continues to be an area for development so as to increase the breadth of resources available.

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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

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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): • make sure all electrical sockets are inaccessible to children.

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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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