Baddow Hall Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

114898 Unique Reference Number 04 May 2007 Inspection date Felicity Gaff Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2001. She lives with her two school aged children in Crawley, West Sussex. She uses the ground floor of the house for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding three children some of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children and attends a carer and toddler group. She takes children to the library and to play in the nearby park.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is well promoted and they have regular opportunities for active play, both indoors and out. This helps develop their physical skills and promotes a healthy lifestyle. They are well protected from illness and infection because they are cared for in clean, hygienic surroundings. The childminder teaches good personal hygiene routines and helps children understand why they are important. She takes effective action to manage minor accidents and maintains the required records to support children's health, although some are indifferently

p.2

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 organised or lack detail. Children receive suitable food and drink to meet their individual dietary needs. The childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating, which she shares with parents, and provides children with nourishing snacks and meals in accordance with their parents' wishes.

p.2

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a well maintained, tidy and attractively decorated environment. There is plenty of well-organised space for them to play, indoors and out, including opportunities for messy activities in the kitchen. Children have access to a good variety of toys which are thoughtfully arranged to ensure they can select their play resources independently and safely. The childminder promotes their safety by maintaining suitable fire safety precautions and by making sure that children are unable to reach items that might be hazardous. She provides good quality equipment to keep children safe on outings and teaches them consistent road safety routines. She has an appropriate understanding of child protection issues and knows how to safeguard children from harm or abuse by reporting any concerns.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children take part in a good range of worthwhile activities with the childminder, which promote all areas of their development. The childminder displays photographs of the children, showing them they hold a valued place in her home. Children enjoy consistent care as the childminder establishes long-term childminding arrangements with parents to meet their changing needs. Children's speech is well-promoted as the childminder engages the children in conversation and shares favourite books with them. She makes good use of everyday opportunities to count and compare numbers with children, which helps develop their mathematical understanding. Toddlers experience a sense of achievement because the childminder provides effective support to help them master new skills.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn how they ought to behave because the childminder explains the reasons for her consistent rules, and helps them understand the consequences of their actions. She exchanges information with parents before children attend to ensure she is aware of their individual needs. She provides a choice of interesting age-appropriate activities that are available to all the children. These include some that reflect the cultural and ethnic diversity of modern Britain, in order to help children develop respect for difference. The childminder works effectively with parents and other agencies to meet the needs of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Children benefit from the good partnership she forges with parents. She provides written information on the service she offers before children first attend, and ensures there is time to exchange information verbally each day.

p.3

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children feel secure at the setting because the childminder organises her home well to meet their needs.

p.3

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 She has a suitable understanding of how and why to protect children from unvetted persons. She recognises the need to store children's personal details discreetly to maintain confidentiality. All the required documentation is in place although the organisation of the accident and medication records does not always protect children's privacy. The written authorisations for medication and for emergency treatment do not explain parents' wishes for their children's treatment sufficiently clearly.

p.3

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last Children Act inspection the childminder agreed to improve the accident records. Accident records now contain all the required details to support children's wellbeing.

p.4

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.

p.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.4

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.

p.4

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 the organisation of accident and medication records to maintain confidentiality • ensure written authorisations for medication and for emergency medical advice or treatment express parents' wishes sufficiently clearly

p.4

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

p.4

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

p.4