Belmont House School

Inspection report for early years provision

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128761 Unique Reference Number 28 August 2007 Inspection date Claire Jean Douglas 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 1997. She lives with her husband and their three children aged 16, 12 and 11 years old. The family live in a three bedroom house in a residential area of

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Bromley, close to local shops, schools and parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the house is used for childminding purposes and there is direct access to a secure garden for outdoor play. The family have three cats and two rabbits.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under 8 years old

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

at any one time, and there are currently three children on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children begin to learn about the importance of good hygiene practices, when they are encouraged to wash their hands before they eat and after messy activities, which helps reduce

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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 the risk of cross-contamination. They benefit from regular home cooked meals, which meet their nutritional needs. The childminder encourages children to develop healthy eating habits by offering fruit, such as banana, for a dessert. Children take part in physical activities daily, for example, visiting the local under fives club, which, offers indoor and outdoor exercise, as well as visits to local parks and playing in the garden, all contributing to a healthy lifestyle.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is generally well protected because the childminder has systems in place to keep a record of any accidents children have and any medicine they need to be given. The childminder has ensured that parents have given their written consent so she can seek medical advice or treatment for their child in an emergency. This means that parents' wishes regarding action to be taken in an emergency are clear.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a tidy, maintained environment with facilities to meet their needs. Their risk of accidental injury is minimised, as the childminder takes steps to identify and reduce potential hazards. For instance, children cannot access the kitchen when the childminder is cooking, she has a stable door which allows supervision but prevents access and socket covers are used on all exposed electrical sockets. Children play with toys that are regularly washed, in good condition and suitable for their age. This helps ensure they can play safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is well safeguarded because the childminder has attended recent training and is familiar with possible signs of child abuse or neglect. She is aware and ensures parents are made aware, of her responsibility to report any concerns if she is worried about a child. The childminder keeps the required documentation and a list of appropriate local contact numbers to hand. This means relevant information would be readily accessible to enable the childminder to act quickly if required.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children take part in a range of stimulating activities that are suitable for their age, they also enjoy outings to an under fives play centre, the park or go to play with friends at another childminders home. Children can choose from a variety of toys that are available at the childminder's home, independently. The childminder varies toys regularly so children remain occupied, and they have opportunities to take part in some planned creative activities such as painting and making glitter play dough.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make good progress in their development as the childminder adapts activities according to their abilities to provide challenge for all children. They quickly become competent communicators because the childminder uses supportive and enthusiastic interaction at all levels that enable children to develop confidence and make progress in their social learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder demonstrates a good awareness of child development. Young children have their needs met because the childminder has an understanding of the way they develop and is beginning to use the Birth to three matters framework to inform her practice.

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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 satisfactory. Children respond well to the childminder's calm approach and this helps them to behave well. She uses positive strategies to manage behaviour, which are appropriate to the age and understanding of the children. Children are encouraged to share and be kind to one another, they receive meaningful praise which encourages their confidence and self-esteem and subsequently, they play happily together within a child orientated setting. Children are encouraged to learn about the world around them when they go on outings and visit the local play centre. The childminder is aware that some children may have learning difficulties and/or disabilities and is proactive in ensuring that all children's needs are met appropriately in partnership with the parents and other relevant parties. Children benefit from positive relationships between the childminder and their parents. They talk to each other every day to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

exchange information, which helps children experience consistent care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from being cared for in an environment where their needs are taken into account. For instance, an area of the dining room is set out with a selection of toys within children's reach. Children have space to set out resources to play, enabling them to make the most of the play and learning opportunities provided.

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Organisation

The childminder has regular informal discussions with parents where she shares the children's progress ensuring that she effectively meets all the children's needs. The childminder keeps documents and records required to promote the health, safety and welfare of minded children, however, the medicine record book needs to be updated to ensure clarity when obtaining parental signatures. The childminder is aware of the revisions to Day care and childminding: guidance to the National Standards, however, further knowledge and understanding of the regulations relating to complaints procedures, is required, to enable appropriate action to be taken should the childminder receive a complaint. Children benefit from being cared for by a childminder who dedicates her time and attention fully to the children whilst they are present. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to ensure the contents of first aid box are checked frequently and replaced as necessary, improve fire precautions by ensuring a smoke alarm is fitted to the ground floor and to Keep a written record of individual children's progress and development. The childminder has improved children's safety by regularly checking that the three smoke alarms are in working order and by ensuring that the first aid kit is maintained with up to date contents. Positive contributions have improved, as the childminder, has systems in place to ensure children's individual progress and development is shared regularly with the parents.

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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.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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 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 medicine records show clearly where the parents must sign to acknowledge the entry • improve knowledge and understanding of the regulations relating to Complaints procedures and update Complaints procedure information.

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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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