Francis Bacon School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 117574 Inspection date 17 May 2005 Inspector Deborah Jane Orchard

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1996. She lives with two children aged 19 and 15 years. She lives on the Acton and Chiswick borders in the London Borough of Ealing. The whole of the ground floor of the 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 six children at the any time and is currently minding three children under five all day and one child before and after school. The childminder is not registered to provide overnight care.

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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 The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group and is a member of a local childminder support group. The family has no pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are very well cared for and their emotional well-being is being fostered through a close, warm and supportive relationship with the childminder. The childminder has knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework, which she intends to build on through additional training.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are gaining control of their bodies and developing their manipulative skills during daily routines such as feeding themselves. Older children are developing independence by accessing their own drinks, which are accessible at any time. The children are given a choice of healthy foods, which are provided to meet their individual requirements. Older children learn about being healthy through discussions with the childminder and by having the opportunity to take care of their personal needs. For example using the toilet and washing and drying their own hands. Children are protected from unnecessary illness as they do not attend if they are contagious. Written information is provided for parents to help them decide if their child is well enough to attend. Children benefit from good opportunities to develop physically as they have daily outings to use bikes and go for walks to the school and park. They have further

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Helping children to be healthy

opportunity to participate in a wide range of physical activities by regular attendance at childminder's support group.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to play and explore safely in a welcoming environment in which hazards have been reduced by the use of appropriate safety equipment. Children are able to easily access a range of good quality play equipment which is clean and in good repair. Suitable and well maintained furniture is readily available to meet the children's individual needs for example feeding chairs. Children's welfare is protected through the childminders strong knowledge of child protection issues and her role and responsibilities in this area. Children are learning about staying safe; for example holding hands or on to the buggy whilst on outings. Childminder has developed excellent written procedures including emergency plans and evacuation procedures to help children keep safe, these are used in discussions with children and parents.

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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. Children settle well and are happy and relaxed in the childminder's house. Children spend their time purposefully and enjoy selecting and exploring a wide range of good quality resources which contribute to their development in all areas. For example developing their imagination and self help skills through selecting dressing up clothes. Children relate well to each other and have the opportunity to socialise with other children through their attendance at the childminder's support group. Children are developing their vocabulary through conversations with the childminder. For example talking about differences, similarities and colours during a matching pairs game. Children become independent through making choices from activities, toys and books which appeal to all. Such as for example, the younger child exploring with delight new objects selected from a box.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children behave well and are developing their self esteem as the childminder regularly praises and encourages children in their activities. Children enjoy warm relationships with the childminder as they learn about the needs of others. Children benefit from a two way sharing of information with parents which ensures their individual needs are respected and met. Children have good opportunities to learn, understand and value the differences of others through very good resources such as dolls which positively reflect people with a disability, multicultural dressing up clothes and various books and puzzles. Children are respected and make choices in their daily activities. They are given time to be active and relax for example looking at books on the sofa.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's care is greatly enhanced by the extremely effective organisation and excellent quality of legal documentation. Children's welfare is strongly supported by the information shared between parents and the childminder. High quality policies, procedures and additional supportive information are put in to practice to ensure children are well cared for. This enables excellent working relationships with parents. The premises are very well organised, all available space is laid out to increase play opportunities for children. They benefit from very well organised routines which

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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 ensure their individual needs are met. Children have excellent opportunities to socialise, play and relax. Children benefit from a skilled childminder who is committed to continuous improvement and keen to further develop her skills and knowledge. Overall the needs of the children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to increase toys and resources which reflect positive images of people with disabilities and special educational needs. Children now have a wider range of resources to use which has greatly improved their understanding of people in the community.

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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): • build on existing knowledge and skills in providing care for children under three years by attending training such as the Birth to three matters framework.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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