Bigland Green Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 100939 Inspection date 21 June 2005 Inspector Angela Cole

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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 satisfactory. 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 2000. She lives with her husband and daughters aged 8 and 5 years old in Northway, on the outskirts of the town of Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. The whole of the house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play with grassed and patio areas. The family keep a rabbit and two guinea pigs in a hutch in the garden. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children under 8 years at any one time. She is currently minding 5 children who attend part-time, including before and after school. The childminder walks to a pre-school and school to take

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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 and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and there are shops and a park within walking distance. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children develop some awareness of hygiene as they play in the warm, clean home. They regularly wash their hands after toileting, though their use of shared towels increases the risk of cross infection. In the event of an accident, the childminder uses accessible first aid equipment to respond to children's needs; however, the container includes adult medication that is harmful to children. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. At regular intervals during the day, they choose between drinking water and a range of nutritious drinks, though they do not help themselves. The childminder is aware of any food allergies to meet the children’s dietary needs. They enjoy plain biscuits for snacks but eat no fruit or vegetables, unless these are in the meals provided by parents. Children enjoy a suitable range of activities that contribute to their sound health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Through regular outdoor activity in the garden, they develop an appropriate attitude to physical exercise. They play with ample quantities of small, physical equipment to extend their large muscle skills. Young children gain bodily control regarding toileting and have plentiful rest or sleep.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in the homely, mainly child-orientated environment. The childminder has identified some potential risks so children are safe, including insecure steps to the slide left by the previous owner. However, older children play upstairs and have access to an unlocked bedroom window. There are smoke alarms in each bedroom but none on the ground floor to ensure children leave safely in any emergency. Children play with safe, suitable, quality toys and equipment. They adequately learn how to keep themselves safe as they tidy away toys before getting more out to avoid tripping. Young children access the stairs safely accompanied by the childminder. The childminder has not been consistently complying with her registration conditions. This may have serious consequences if a child had an accident while in her care, by possibly invalidating her insurance and therefore limiting the financial resources

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

available to support the family. The childminder has the required procedures in place to ensure children’s welfare is promoted. For example, she is booked to renew her first aid certificate and has an acceptable understanding of child protection in line with the local Area Child

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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 Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle very well in the childminder’s house and are interested in their play. They effectively progress in all areas of development through established routines and interesting activities. Children enjoy a varied day, usually playing with the toys after a snack on returning from the school walk. Young children‘s own sleeping and care routines are closely followed. They learn to relate well through playing with each other and regularly attending a local toddler group. They have a good relationship with the childminder and rapidly develop their language skills through sharing books and continuous conversations. For example, children talk about wild rabbits in the garden and learn the noises made by animals. They develop good mathematical thinking to make train layouts and match home play items, such as pretend food and crockery. As children play with small world toys and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

discuss what their parents might currently be doing, they begin to make good sense of the world around them. Older children enjoy cooking and a wide range of crafts, including painting, sticking and modelling with dough. They eagerly suggest themes to explore, such as ‘pirates’. Children use high levels of imagination to create associated objects, such as treasure boxes and appropriate headgear.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children develop appropriate confidence to choose their own activities. Young ones access some toys in storage boxes changed by the childminder according to their interests and stage of development. Older children freely choose and play with the varied resources in different areas of the house and garden. Children are cared for individually and with equal concern as, for example, the childminder respects their moods and feelings. They begin to respect others through some toys and books that reflect other cultures but play with few resources that reflect people with disabilities. Older children learn to be caring towards younger ones and regularly play with them. Children with special needs receive adequate support, though none is currently minded. The childminder spends time getting to know families so children are cared for according to their parents’ wishes. She exchanges information informally with parents

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Helping children make a positive contribution

each time they meet. This ensures children receive consistent care and any problems are solved jointly with families. Children behave appropriately and comply with the childminder’s house rules. They take a brief time out to calm down before they apologise if, for example, another child is upset.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home in the open plan, informally organised environment. They usually have adequate adult support to feel secure and confident. Most records are accurate and neatly maintained so these contribute to the children’s welfare. Parents sign accident records and the childminder requests permission to seek emergency treatment for the children. Documents are stored securely and kept confidentially in separate folders so children’s details are up-to-date. These include contracts and information sheets that families revise regularly to foster children’s care and safe collection. Daily contact with parents contributes to the satisfactory quality of the children’s care. This encourages parents to share information and any concerns about the child so, overall, the needs of the range of children cared for are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection, the childminder has improved safety, her partnership with parents and equality of opportunity for children. She is booked on an appropriate first aid course to refresh her knowledge so children receive competent care in the event of any accident. Sound systems are in place to obtain written permission for transporting children in a vehicle and to give them any required medication, so children's care follows their parents’ wishes. All children access suitable toys and equipment, including some with positive images of culture, to widen their respect for others.

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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 satisfactory. 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

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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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • comply with the conditions of registration for childminding at all times • assess the risks to children in relation to the lack of a downstairs smoke alarm and the safety of upstairs windows and take action to minimise these • develop procedures to ensure children's hygiene and health in relation to hand drying practice and the provision of a first aid box solely for use with minded children.

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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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