Bampton CofE Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

142140 Unique Reference Number 18 April 2007 Inspection date Rachael Williams 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 has minded for children since 2000. She lives with her husband and three children in a three bedroom semi-detached house in the Holway area of Taunton, Somerset. There are schools, shops and parks within walking distance. Minded children mainly have access to the ground floor which consists of a lounge, kitchen, playroom and toilet facilities. The first floor of the property is used for sleeping. The rear garden is safely enclosed and has a separate area for the family pet dog.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years old. At present, she has six children on roll. She also cares for children over eight years old. The childminder employs an assistant and when working together they may care for no more than six children under eight years old.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is promoted through the childminder's established routines. For example, younger children routinely wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. They use foam soap and individual towels that are washed daily to prevent cross infection. Children are aware of their own personal needs, for instance young children visit the toilet facilities independently, request spare tissues to put in their pockets to blow their noses and request sun cream when they remove their jumpers. The childminder ensures that children's health is promoted through maintaining a clean and well maintained environment. For example, toys and resources are checked and cleaned weekly to prevent the spread of illness and infection. There are clear pet arrangements to ensure children's well-being, for instance there is a separate, fully enclosed area within the garden for the dog.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate and has an appropriately maintained and stocked first aid kit in the home. Consequently, children are well protected in the event of an accident. Accidents and medication are appropriately dealt with, recorded and shared with parents, however not all administration of medication records are countersigned by parents.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are introduced to healthy lifestyles. They are involved in making decisions about their snack and confidently select a piece of fruit to share socially around the table. Drinks are readily available and replenished regularly. There are good arrangements in place to ensure perishable items are stored appropriately in the fridge and that meals are reheated in accordance with parents' wishes.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children thrive in the well-equipped rear garden where their physical skills are fully developed. They have regular opportunities to be out in the fresh air as they have daily walks to and from school and visit the park to further develop large muscle skills.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe and secure in the well organised, homely environment. Space is used well to provide children with a range of activities where they can develop safely and freely. Children are able to access a plentiful range of safe, hygienic and developmentally appropriate toys and resources independently.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is vigilant about safety and closely supervises the children. An assistant has been appointed to ensure ratios are maintained and to provide further support for the younger children at vulnerable times. There are clear arrangements to ensure children are protected when on visits and at collection times. Children benefit from a very secure environment, for instance the front door remains locked during minding hours and keys made inaccessible to the children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has sound knowledge of child protection issues. She has recently attended a child protection course to further her understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children's Board procedure.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder and achieve well through her consistent interaction and support. The children are involved in a good balance of experiences to encourage the development in all areas of their learning. The childminder listens to the children's requests and observes their interests in order to provide enjoyable activities. For example, the children thoroughly enjoy creating musical instruments from a bottle and some rice. Their fine motor skills are further developed as they decorate their shakers as they peel stickers off to place on their shaker. Younger children enjoy mark making as they use the chalk and water on the chalkboard, giggling happily as they interact with the childminder.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children show good coordination as they select ride-on toys. They manoeuvre themselves well up the slope and descend in a controlled manner creating pathways as they go. They play cooperatively on the seesaw, singing rhymes and songs together. Younger children thoroughly enjoy their role play and achieve well through the childminder's interaction, for instance, showing them how to wash and dry the dirty dishes which they imitate. Consequently, children are excellent communicators as the childminder consistently questions the children and encourages them to share experiences.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are settled and confident within the homely environment. Close and caring relationships have been established which encourages children's independence. They learn about the diversity in our society through everyday experiences. For example, toys reflect positive images of different cultures, disabilities and equality. Children are treated equally and their differences respected. Activities are adapted to ensure all children are included and their individual needs met.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well. The childminder establishes clear 'house rules' which she applies consistently to ensure children are clear on expectations and boundaries. The childminder has good understanding of how children develop and ensures her behaviour management strategies are varied according to the age of the child. For example, older children are given clear explanations as to why the behaviour is unacceptable and are given opportunities to 'chill out'. The childminder is aware of recording behaviour incidents, however this record has not been needed.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's welfare is protected by the good partnership with parents. The daily exchange of information ensures consistency and that parents' wishes are adhered to. Parents are verbally informed of childminding practices during the settling in period, such as the complaints procedure.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. 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, especially within the garden. The local environment is used well to provide children with additional experiences, such as visits to the shops and park to encourage their understanding of the community. With the help of an assistant, children are closely supervised and high ratios maintained. However,

p.4

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 there is little information available to ascertain the assistant's suitability to care for children. On the whole, a daily register accurately records most children's attendance, however some entries are inaccurate.

p.4

Organisation

Children are cared for by an experienced and caring childminder. She has completed all necessary training and has identified further training to increase her knowledge, for instance child protection training and 'a healthy child' course. Children's welfare is protected as all regulatory documentation is well-organised and stored confidentially.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were raised relating to behaviour and child protection. These have been satisfactorily addressed.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has been proactive in accessing a relevant child protection course to extend her knowledge of recording concerns relating to children in her care. Consequently, children's welfare is safeguarded.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder is aware of appropriate recording of behaviour incidents but, as yet, has no entries in her incident record as children are well-behaved. Concerns would be shared with parents to ensure consistency in care for the children.

p.5

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.

p.5

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 complaint record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.5

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): • develop systems to ensure a record of assistants is maintained which includes vetting, recruitment, training and any qualifications • develop further systems to accurately record children's attendance

p.5

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 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.5

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.6