Barton Hill Nursery and Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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131993 Unique Reference Number 21 August 2007 Inspection date Lindsay Ann Farenden 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 was registered in 1985. She lives with her husband and one adult daughter in New Malden, Surrey. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have one pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding three children and also cares for children over eight on a full and part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children to various parks and toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive because their physical, nutritional and health needs are met extremely well, as a result of very effective practices carried out by the childminder. She carries out daily cleaning

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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 routines to ensure children are cared for in a very clean and hygienic environment. She follows the guidelines from her training in food hygiene, when preparing foods.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop very good personal hygiene routines, as the childminder reminds them to wash their hands before eating food and after using the toilet. To prevent the risk of cross infection each child is provided with individual towels and the childminder explains to them how to wash their hands properly.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s health needs are very well protected because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and keeps well stocked first aid boxes. She also takes a small first aid box with her when she takes the children on outings. This means she is able to respond appropriately to minor injuries or accidents. The sharing of the accident record with parents enables them to watch for any further symptoms which may develop. Parental consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment has been obtained, so children are safeguarded if a serious medical emergency occurred. Documentation is in place to obtain written consent for the childminder to administer medication to ensure children receive the correct dosage according to their needs. The written sickness policy informs parents that children who are infectious are unable to attend, thus preventing the spread if contagious illnesses.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy very nutritious meals and relish in taking part in devising the weekly menu. This enables them to make healthy choices with support and discussions about food that is good for them with the childminder. Children are also sometimes actively involved in the making of the meals, for example, making home made chicken nuggets with the help of the childminder. Children are encouraged to select nourishing snacks, such as fruit bars and a wide variety of fresh and dried fruit. To prevent children getting thirsty or dehydrated they are able to help themselves to drinks whenever they want them, as these are always kept within their reach.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children thrive on being physically active and take part in many activities which promote their physical skills and develop their enjoyment of a healthy lifestyle. They use slides and wheeled toys in the garden. They enjoy taking the dog for a walk and visiting parks where they are able to use swings and large climbing equipment. They take part in activities, such as hip hop dancing. Children talk with great enthusiasm about going to soft play centres and adventure play grounds, where they are able to jump, climb and move their bodies in a variety of ways.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are care for in a home in which the childminder gives very high priority to safety and security. She makes sure that all chemicals are locked away, plug covers are in place and a safety gate is in place to prevent children’s access to the stairs. She does regular checks in the house and garden to ensure they are safe for children of all age groups. Children’s safety when on outings is also given high priority. For example, the childminder ensures children sit in appropriate car seats for their ages and explains to them that they must not release their seat belts until she tells them it is safe to do so. When walking younger children sit in the buggy or hold the childminder's hand. Children learn about road safety as the childminder talks to them about waiting for the green man and to also look both ways before crossing the road.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well safeguarded because there is a fire blanket in the kitchen and smoke alarms fitted on every level of the house, all of which are in working order. Children learn how to keep themselves safe in the event of a fire because they regularly practise the written emergency evacuation procedures.

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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 Children are extremely well supervised throughout the time they are present, due to the areas of the home used for childminding and the excellent organisational skills of the childminder. Children have access to a very good range of quality toys and equipment which the childminder makes sure are clean, safe and age appropriate. The resources are neatly stored and regularly rotated, so children have a very wide variety to play with and keep their interest.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare and safety is promoted by the childminder’s child protection policy. She has attended training on child protection and has an excellent knowledge of signs and symptoms of abuse and is very aware of what procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children are very happy, relaxed and at ease within the homely environment. They eagerly choose what they want to play with from the excellent range of resources set out in boxes on the floor. The childminder is very kind and caring towards the children and enjoys their company. They benefit from the childminder’s ability to balance her time between interacting with them when appropriate and letting them develop their own fun as they play freely.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are extremely imaginative as they dress up and set up a small table with Chinese dishes and invite each other for a meal together. The childminder responds immediately to children’s request to have the play dough out. They very enthusiastically roll it out and talk to the childminder about how they are making different kinds of pasta. They play games together, such as connect four, happily waiting for their turn. Children are thrilled when they count counters with the encouragement from the childminder to a high number.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children flourish as they are provided with many stimulating experiences, which promote their learning and development. They have made a scrap book of the different activities they have done during the school holidays with the childminder. This includes art work they have done, baking activities, visits to the cinema, visits to soft play centres and a story telling session in Richmond park. The children talk about the childminder very positively, saying how much they enjoy the different outings she takes them on.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children talk with great relish about visiting the library to choose books and doing a cooking activity which involves baking cakes using cranberries. Children are taken on many outings which give them plenty of further opportunities to extend their knowledge and interests. They visit different farms where they are able to see different animals and the feeding of them. They also like playing on the outdoor play equipment and a large sand area, as part of the farm facilities for young children. They thoroughly enjoyed a visit to the Bluebell railway, where they rode on a steam train and then had a picnic afterwards.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have regular opportunities to socialise, as they attend toddler groups. This also enables them to access further art activities, music sessions and ride wheeled toys.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a very good understanding of child development. She has attended training on the Birth to three matters framework and induction to the early years Foundation Stage.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit significantly from the very good partnership the childminder has with the parents. The childminder discusses at length with the parents their child’s individual needs, preferences and routines. The childminder implements a settling-in period to help support children with separating from their parents. She gives parents verbal feedback about their child’s day when they collect them and keeps them fully informed of activities and outings planned for the following week. This contributes to the continuity of children’s care. The childminder provides parents with photos of their children enjoying activities and also sends parents pictures of their child via her mobile phone. This provides parents with excellent information of their child’s time at the childminder’s. The childminder provides parents with good information about the service she provides through portfolios and policies and procedures,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

which are fully shared with the parents. The complaints policy ensures parents are made fully aware of procedures to follow, if they have any issues about the childminding service provided.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about difference and respect for others, through accessing an extensive range of books portraying positive images of race, culture, gender and disability. These are fully integrated into everyday play, as children enjoy dressing up in saris and playing imaginatively with cultural resources. Children gain knowledge of cultural festivals through activities, such as making lanterns at Diwali. They develop a further awareness of diversity, as they go on special outings to Korean supermarkets in the local community to explore different types of food available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and play extremely co-operatively together sharing and taking turns with the resources. They thrive on lots of positive praise for good behaviour and achievements from the childminder. This contributes to their very high self esteem and confidence. Children are kept constantly occupied which prevents any difficult behaviour occurring. The childminder manages children’s behaviour very appropriately through explanations and by using distraction.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are no children with learning difficulties or disabilities currently on roll, although the childminder would welcome children with special needs into her setting. She is very committed to providing them with an inclusive environment and would work closely with the parents and professionals involved with the child to ensure their needs are fully met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s care is greatly enhanced by the childminder’s enthusiasm and effective organisation of space, resources and documentation. The childminder is highly motivated and designates her time to the children when they are present. She provides children with a stimulating and exciting time both inside the home and on outings.

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Organisation

The childminder has developed substantial policies, documents and records which contribute to children’s health, safety and welfare. However the attendance record does not include children’s surnames. The childminder makes very good use of contracts to invite discussions with parents about their children’s individual needs. She also monitors the quality of the service she provides through feedback from parents' questionnaires. The childminder’s registration certificate is prominently displayed for the parents to view.

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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 benefit from the childminder's good knowledge of child development and she strives to continually improve her childminding practice by attending training courses. The childminder provides a most delightful environment for children to play and be cared for in. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has obtained the government booklet on safeguarding children and information on communicable diseases. She now retains all required regulatory documentation for two years. This further safeguards children's health and welfare.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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 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): • ensure children's surnames are included in the daily attendance record

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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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