Barons Court Primary School and Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 114787 Inspection date 13 June 2005 Inspector Chris Mackinnon

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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 1991 and lives with her husband and two children aged sixteen and ten years in Henfield, West Sussex. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, including access to the conservatory. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding five children aged from one year to eight years. The childminder takes and collects from local schools and attends toddler groups. She also visits nearby parks and play areas.

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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 family keep guinea pigs in the garden. The childminder has an early years training qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are protected from illness and infection by effective and consistent hygiene routines and frequent attention to cleanliness. Children learn to keep clean and have supervised access to animals, protecting their health and safety. Children's exposure to illness and infection is well safeguarded by the childminder who has experience of infections. Clear medication records are kept. Children's health is promoted effectively by the provision of a broad range of nutritious foods. Children learn how eating a variety of foods promotes good health. Children enjoy and share new taste experiences and learn about new and exciting foods during well organised food activities. Children's exposure to foods that cause allergies is closely monitored. Children's eating, sleeping and care activities are recorded daily and shared with parents. Individual children's growth and well being is fostered well by the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder, who works closely with parents, resulting in good support for children with developmental concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe within the childminder's home, with well organised safety precautions in place. Children learn to play safely with others and have road safety guidance. Children have safe and supervised contact with animals. Children have access to an exciting and extensive range of appropriate play and learning resources, including outdoor play items. Children have access to plenty of art-craft materials and use a range of suitable resources to observe nature. Younger children explore a colourful and stimulating range of tactile toys and resources. Children are enthusiastic and imaginative in their use of role-play and music resources and make good use of books and reading materials. Children are kept safe outdoors and safeguarded in the home by suitable fire safety precautions. Parents are made aware of car safety precautions. Children are protected from non-vetted persons and their welfare is monitored by the childminder

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

who is aware of child protection procedures.

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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 Children are confident and eager to explore well prepared child care areas within the childminder's home. Children's speech and use of words is effectively encouraged and frequent reading opportunities are provided. Children experience different tastes and learn how to prepare food. Children explore counting, colours and shapes during a broad range of well organised play activities. An exciting range of role-play activities encourages children to be imaginative and children create and are inventive with art-craft activities. Expressive and lively musical activities provide fun for the children and children also gain physical confidence with challenging outdoor games and activities. Children are encouraged to explore and study the natural world, they learn about the weather and seasons and make frequent visits to parks and nature trails. Children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

learn to play and interact well together and are given time to develop and extend their play activities. The good quality of the play and learning activities, encourages and motivates the children to be confident learners. The clear planning and preparation of the play and learning activities, encourages children to achieve easily and reflects the childminder's experience and understanding of children's development stages.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are encouraged to settle and feel secure in the childminder's home. Children develop stable relationships with others and benefit from steady praise and encouragement. Children learn what is acceptable behaviour and are encouraged to share resources and work together positively. The childminder gives consideration to home and family matters and how they effect the children in her care. Children with special needs are welcomed by the childminder. Children have access to an acceptable range of resources and activities that reflect cultural diversity. Children are encouraged learn about where they live and their knowledge of the wider world is sufficiently promoted. Children's progress is monitored by the childminder, but parents lack clear information on individual children's learning and achievements, resulting in reduced opportunities for parents to contribute to the

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children have well organised and active daily routines. Children play happily and expressively and become engaged in challenging and absorbing activities through the effective preparation of the play areas and resources within the home. Children's development, care and welfare needs are successfully supported by the childminder who is motivated, well qualified and experienced. The childminder has completed a wide range of supportive training courses to enrich her childcare practice, including training in developing children's communication and working in partnership with parents. The childminder has also attended appropriate first aid training to work with children.

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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 Children's individual contact details and family material is kept secure and confidential and children's development is discussed with parents. The childminder has taken time to prepare a full range of written policy documents and guidance material, but this is not easily accessible to parents. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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): • develop clearer methods of recording individual children's learning and achievements • reorganise documentation and guidance material to be more easily accessible to parents

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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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