Swinton Brookfield Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 131437 Inspection date 29 September 2005 Inspector Alison Large

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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 1988. She lives with her husband and 3 adult children in the Bitterne area of Southampton. All of the ground floor and 1 bedroom are used for childminding There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time. She is currently minding 4 children under 5 years, all day, and 2 children over 5 years, before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a dog and tropical fish.

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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 childminder is a member of the Southampton Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a warm, clean home. They begin to understand the importance of good personal hygiene through daily routines. By washing their hands, for example, they gain an understanding of personal care, and how to reduce the risk of germs. The childminder keeps the appropriate accident and medication records. However, the consent forms to seek emergency treatment are not up to date. The children's well-being is, therefore, not fully safeguarded. Children enjoy a varied range of outdoor activities which contribute to their good health and physical development. The childminder recognises the benefits of daily exercise. The children have opportunities to develop their small and large muscles. The childminder provides a good range of outdoor interests for the children, including wheeled toys and regular trips to the park. Children begin to understand the advantages of healthy eating. The childminder

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Helping children to be healthy

offers them snacks that regularly include fruit. Younger children are regularly offered drinks, including water and squash, while older children are able to request drinks for themselves. This ensures that their needs are met. The childminder takes into account the parents' wishes. She also meets each child's dietary needs to ensure that they remain healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder cares for the children in a bright, spacious environment. The playroom is laid out well, allowing children to move around safely, and has low level furniture. Resources are stored in a way that allows children to access them. The childminder meets the children's needs for development by providing a wide range of clean, safe and well-maintained equipment. She monitors and supervises the children's choice of toys to make sure that they are appropriate for the age and stage of the their development. The childminder has a good understanding of safety issues and pays a lot of attention to potential risks and hazards. She sees to it that these are minimised, in order to promote the children's safety. She has all the required documentation and procedures, which ensure that the children's welfare is safeguarded, are in place. She has good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues, has a written

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

policy and recognises her role and responsibilities in keeping children safe.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children build strong relationships with the childminder, which helps them settle well. They enter confidently and make themselves at home. The childminder gets to know the children well and provides for their needs on arrival. She interacts well with them and joins in their play. This contributes to their developing communication skills. The children respond well to the praise and encouragement they receive, and have built close and caring ties with the childminder, something that increases their sense of trust and helps them develop a sense of self. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and develop independence through accessing an exciting range of resources. Children enjoy opportunities to express imagination through role-play. They are able to choose from a variety of books, toys and games, which appeal to all. Children are interested in a range of indoor and outdoor activities, which are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

appropriate for their development. The childminder gets to know the children well by talking to them about their likes and dislikes, and this makes them feel valued and special.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder values and respects the children as individuals. Children make themselves at home and are confident in choosing which activities to do. They have time to relax as well as be active. Children are able to access some resources which promote a positive view of the wider world. This increases their awareness of diversity and helps them to understand others. Children behave well. The childminder sets boundaries, supports younger children and uses plenty of praise and encouragement. She commends their achievements and helps them develop their confidence. The children benefit from the childminder's good relationship with the parents. Information is shared daily to ensure that the children's individual needs are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are able to move around confidently and freely, both indoors and outdoors. This maximises their play opportunities. Children are, therefore, confident to initiate and extend their own play. The childminder uses policies and procedures to promote the children's welfare and care. Such policies and procedures are made available to parents, in order to ensure the continuity of care. The verbal discussions that the childminder has with the

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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 parents are effective. Children are, therefore, supported and cared for appropriately, while parents are kept informed of their children's activities. Most of the required documentation, which contributes to the children's health, safety and well-being, is in place. It is stored confidentially and is reviewed regularly. However, first aid training has yet to be renewed. 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 last inspection the childminder was asked to provide individual towels for the children. The childminder has met this recommendation by providing paper towels, ensuring that the children's health and well-being is maintained.

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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): • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice and treatment

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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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