Blackwater Academy Sandwell

Inspection report for early years provision

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151555 Unique Reference Number 23 May 2007 Inspection date Claire, Alexandra Parnell 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 2001. The childminder lives with her partner and her daughter. They live in a three-storey house in Northfleet, near Gravesend. There are shops, parks, schools and pre-schools close by. The lounge, bathroom, kitchen and bedrooms are used for childminding. There is a secure rear garden available, for supervised outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is registered to provide care for three children under eight years and overnight care for one child. The childminder currently cares for one child on a full time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's understanding of personal hygiene is promoted well whilst in the childminder's care. Children have their own towel and flannel accessible to them to prevent cross infection. They

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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 are introduced to a familiar routine, such as, washing hands and faces after eating and cooking, washing hands after toileting and cleaning teeth after their breakfast and before bedtime. The childminder provides a clean environment for children to play in.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's ongoing health needs are promoted well. Accidents are recorded accurately and shared with the parents to ensure continuity of care. Consent is sought to administer medication and careful consideration is given to children's health when staying overnight with the childminder. However, the childminder does not have consent from parents to seek emergency treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to eat healthily and develop a good sense of what is healthy and unhealthy to eat and drink. The childminder encourages children to eat fresh fruits and vegetables as much as possible, by acting as a good role model herself and by providing a good range of tasty healthy foods to entice children's appetites. Children have access to drinks throughout their time with the childminder but are encouraged to drink milk as well as water. Children's dietary requirements are recorded and used well by the childminder to meet their dietary needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have plentiful opportunities to take part in physical exercise and experience fresh air. Children walk to and from school on a daily basis and have access to a range of resources to promote physical skills such as a small trampoline, footballs and hoops.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe and secure environment due to the security measures put in place by the childminder and the regular household checks. Children have access to all three levels of the house, but the childminder assesses children's abilities and understanding of safety before allowing children to have a free rein of the house. The childminder has carefully considered sleeping arrangements for children to ensure that they feel safe and secure at night time. Good security measures are in place to ensure children cannot leave the premises unattended. Children are always supervised in the garden due to a low level gate to the rear, which gives access to a public alleyway. The front door and backdoor are always locked with keys accessible to the childminder in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have use of a good range of appropriate and safe equipment for their age and stage of development, promoting their safety and independence. Children have a step in the bathroom for toileting and washing their hands, a low level chair and table for eating and a pull out bed for overnight stays with clean and appropriate bedding.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about the importance of keeping safe whilst in the house and when out walking. The children's safety is promoted well regarding evacuations and fire safety. The childminder has all the relevant equipment accessible for emergencies, such as, fire extinguishers and fire blankets. Careful thought has been given regarding a place of safety in the event of an evacuation. Children learn to walk safely along the roadside. The childminder discusses road safety every day and encourages children to walk holding hands and to cross at appropriate places. The childminder has relevant equipment such as reins to re-enforce road safety rules for younger children. The childminder does not drive but does have a written agreement with parents to take children in a relatives car on occasions. Children's safety in the car is promoted well as the childminder has a separate car seat for minded children and gains consent each time

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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 The childminder has a clear understanding of how to promote children's welfare through rigorous safeguarding procedures. The childminder has attended additional training and is fully aware of her responsibility towards recognising signs of abuse and who to contact for advice and guidance. The childminder is very aware of not leaving children with other people. She has a good understanding of promoting children's dignity and privacy when children stay overnight, particularly when bathing and dressing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have access to a good range of pre-planned or pre-selected activities and resources. They are encouraged to talk and discuss about what they want to play with, take part in or where they want to go. Children are taken on regular trips to local places of interest to promote their participation in the outside environment. Children learn to grow plants and vegetables, taking a keen interest in their care. They participate in cooking activities with the childminder, who talks to them about what they are making and how it is made. The childminder promotes discussions with the children about what they have been doing at school and at home and shows a genuine interest in their welfare and development. The childminder has long standing relationships with children and their parents. She has positively participated in their childhood by keeping a photo diary of their achievements, places they have been to and people they play

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

with. Children relate well to the childminder, discussing immanent changes in their lives, such as, the arrival of a new sibling. The childminder has a clear understanding of promoting young children's development through the Birth to three matters framework, demonstrating good use of interaction and introducing new activities to extend children's progress further.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individuality is celebrated and promoted well. The childminder has a clear understanding of equality with childminding and ensures children are treated equally and fairly. She introduces children to new experiences, such as, children from Africa being introduced to snow for the first time. Good use is made of children's details, such as, family background and religion. This is reflected carefully in the children's care to promote their self esteem. Children have access to some positive images of a diverse society which helps them to understand about people's differences. The childminder openly and positively answers children's questions about these differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is willing to offer care to children with learning difficulties or disabilities. She has a clear awareness of gaining relevant information and possible training to enable her to meet children's particular needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

In practice, the childminder makes a great emphasis of children's positive behaviour and uses good strategies for unwanted behaviour; such as distraction and discussion. Plentiful recognition is given to children's achievements, such as, displays of children's art work around the childminder's home. The childminder works with parents to discuss common strategies for ongoing behaviour, therefore children receive consistency in the behaviour management.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good. The childminder has longstanding relationships with parents. Both work closely together to meet children's ongoing needs, such as, providing overnight care for when the arrival of a sibling is due. Therefore children feel secure and content in familiar surroundings with familiar people. Parents have access to a robust complaints

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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 procedure, informing them of who to contact regarding any unresolved concerns. The childminder also has a folder of recommendations from other parents. This is used positively to promote the quality of care offered to children and their families. The childminder encourages parents to enter the house at the end of the day to discuss their child's day, to ensure all information is received and shared appropriately.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a childminder who holds relevant checks enabling her to have unsupervised access to children. The childminder ensures that all members of her household also have relevant clearances. Children receive appropriate first aid treatment due to the childminder's regular attendance and updating of first aid training. She also attends local workshops to update her knowledge and skills in child care practice.

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Organisation

Children are very settled, confident and happy in the childminder's care. This is due to familiar routines, surroundings and long term relationships with the childminder and her family. Children are given appropriate care when staying overnight due to the childminder's attention to detail to promote children's welfare. Children's attendance is recorded accurately, showing exactly when they are in the childminder's care.

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Organisation

The childminder has a good record system and is aware of confidentiality, security and safety of children's records. Therefore children's welfare is promoted well.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that requires 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.

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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): • obtain consent from parents to seek emergency treatment for children.

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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 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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