Bilston Church of England Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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130305 Unique Reference Number 17 April 2007 Inspection date Julie Whitelaw 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 has been registered since 1989. She lives with her husband and adult son in Hertfordshire. The property is situated within walking distance of schools, a park and shops. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for six children and is currently minding three children under five years, (one full time and two part time), and one child before and after school, (full time in the school holidays).

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is an active member of the NCMA, including acting as a buddy for the Hertfordshire NCMA. She is a member of the Mill End Minder's childminding group and has achieved the Herts Quality Standards twice, which is an accredited quality assurance scheme. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from exceptionally healthy, nutritious, home cooked food. A wide variety of fresh fruit and vegetables are delivered each week. The childminder teaches the children the names of the different items and explains where the food comes from. Children are involved in the preparation of meals and snacks as part of the daily routine. They learn how vegetables grow as they are involved in planting, watering, picking and cooking the produce. Children make healthy choices in what they eat. They confidently request pineapple for their snack. They learn that the centre has a core as the childminder cuts it up. Young children explain how they are vegetarians and name different types of fish they like to eat. Posters about healthy eating extend children's understanding of nutritious food.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder places high importance on daily fresh air and exercise. Children are appropriately clothed and taken out in all weathers. They enjoy splashing in the puddles and playing in the snow. Children are encouraged to be active by the childminder's enthusiasm for outside play and therefore develop a positive attitude to physical activity. Children regularly visit the local parks where they can run and play on the equipment. The garden is well equipped and children can independently access an extensive range of resources that promote their physical skills, including a climbing frame, slide, wheeled bikes, hoops and balls. Young children sleep in their buggies in the garden within sight of the childminder and benefit from fresh air during this time.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the childminder's thorough hygiene procedures. They understand why they need to wash their hands and use their own individual towel to dry them. This is hung at a low level to promote children's independence in their personal care. The childminder has a sound knowledge of first aid. There are several first aid boxes within the house which are easily accessed in an emergency. Personal information is recorded in detail to ensure children's health and medical needs are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a safe and secure environment. The childminder has taken steps to address potential hazards within her home and has devised a policy that promotes children's safety. Socket covers and corner protectors are in place, low-level glass is safety glass, and there is a safety chain on the front door. Therefore, children can freely access the environment safely. Outside, steps have been taken to make the garden safe. A soft mat is outside the patio door to prevent children hurting themselves if they fall on the hard surface. The childminder has a comprehensive list of dangerous plants and is aware of which ones could be a potential hazard. Safety matting is used around the slide and climbing frame, allowing children to take risks in a safe environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can independently access the toys stored in the living room. These are regularly checked and cleaned to ensure they are safe. Other toys are safely organised in plastic containers in the shed. Children learn about their own and others safety. They are regularly involved in practice fire drills, understand why they must not go near the cooker and learn the safe way to carry scissors. Stories and games are used to reinforce children's understanding of safety issues.

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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 When on outings, children learn about road safety and the dangers of speaking to strangers or touching dogs and therefore develop an understanding of how to stay safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm through the childminder's sound knowledge of child protection issues. The supporting documentation is in place and the childminder has a clear understanding of the procedure she should follow if she suspects a child is being abused.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from the childminder's excellent understanding of how children learn through play. Their individual development is successfully promoted through the childminder's use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework as a reference point and for additional ideas. The childminder plans a range of purposeful activities that challenge children and help them to make rapid progress in their learning. She is also led by the children's interests, which ensures their attention is held and that they are enthusiastic to take part in activities. Learning takes place throughout the day as the childminder constantly interacts with the children and is skilful at asking open-ended questions that encourage children to think, express their thoughts and predict what may happen next.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The extensive range of resources that include a wide range of instruments and natural objects from around the world, capture children interests. Young children show delight when exploring natural items in a treasure box. They are able to name different types of shells and show wonder when listening to the sound they can hear when holding them to their ear. Children's vocabulary is extended as they learn the names of different types of star fish and creatures under the sea. The childminder links stories and songs to the theme of the treasure box to extend children's learning. Mathematical concepts are constantly promoted through the daily routine, for example, children count the pieces of pasta on a picture and the steps when coming down the stairs. The develop an understanding of a half and quarter as a pineapple is cut into pieces.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children are keen to participate in the cooking activities and confidently recall all the ingredients used to make the mixture. They are encouraged to express how the texture feels. Older children are fully supported in completing their home work and enjoy being involved in more complex cooking activities. The care, love, attention and praise children receive from the childminder develops their confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's sense of belonging is fostered through the warm, welcoming atmosphere and the childminder's dedication to the children she cares for. Their awareness of differences in society is promoted well through a wide range of resources, craft activities and general discussion. For example, children recently dyed rice and made a large collage of a pig using the rice and pasta to reinforce their understanding of the Chinese New Year. Children learn about the wider world on visits to places such as Buckingham Palace. Their attention is drawn to nature when outside as they observe birds and insects.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in partnership with the local authority to support children with special needs. She has a sound understanding that they may require additional support or resources to ensure their needs are met and to enable them to reach their potential. Children benefit from the effective, close partnership between the childminder and parents. The regular verbal

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 exchange of information ensures that the childminder is fully aware of the children's needs and is able to meet them. Parents are kept informed of the childminder's routine and the progress children make.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

An informative leaflet is given to parents and a detailed portfolio is available that informs them of all her polices and procedures and covers every aspect of her work as a childminder. The written complaints procedure has not been updated in line with the changes. Therefore, parents may not be fully aware of what they should do if they wish to complain. This potentially compromises children's well-being. Complimentary letters received from parents praised the care, love and attention the childminder gives the children, while providing a stimulating environment and wide range of activities that promote their learning. Children's behaviour is excellent. They are polite and well-mannered. They respond positively to the clear explanations the childminder gives and the consistent boundaries she sets. This ensures children develop a good understanding of acceptable behaviour.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has completed an exceptional amount of training since becoming registered and continually looks to develop her skills and knowledge to improve the care she provides. She has recently attending training in supporting children in learning to read, settling children without tears, celebrating diversity and child protection. She is planning to attend training on allergies and drug and alcohol abuse which will further improve the care she provides. The childminder keeps

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Organisation

up to date with changes by reading relevant publications and constantly strives to develop her practice. She is currently introducing a labelled photo display of all the resources she has to ensure children are fully aware of what there is available to play with. This will enable them to make greater choices in their play.

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Organisation

All the required documentation is in place, up to date and well-organised, which promotes children's well-being. Children are kept safe as the childminder has a sound understanding of safety and closely supervises the children at all times. She ensures children are never left alone with unvetted persons and never cares for more children than she is registered for. The childminder's, enthusiasm care and commitment to her work ensures that children have fun whilst in her care and make excellent progress in their learning. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to include a written safety policy informing parents of the high standard of safety and security measures carried out by the childminder to keep children safe and to minimise hazards. This is now in place and reassures parents of how the environment is made safe for the children who attend.

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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 the 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

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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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): • update the complaints procedure in the parent's portfolio to ensure they are fully informed of the procedure that should be followed if they wish to complain.

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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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