The Bolsover School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 112963 Inspection date 10 August 2005 Inspector Lynn Reeves

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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 has been registered since 1994. She lives with her husband and daughter aged over eight years in a residential area of Hardway, Gosport in Hampshire. The property is within close proximity to local parks, pre-schools, marina and shops. The childminder is registered to care for six children aged under eight years and is currently minding one child aged under eight years on a full time basis. The ground floor of the home is available to minded children, with toileting facilities on this floor. Rest facilities are provided on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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 National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are developing good self-help skills and are learning the importance of good hygiene practices through routines, discussion and encouragement. Children's good health and physical development is promoted with regular walks where they benefit from fresh air and gentle exercise. Children begin to understand the importance of a healthy diet by being provided with fresh fruit and vegetables for snacks and healthy and nutritious meals. Parents wishes are respected regarding children's dietary needs and these are recorded on children's records. The childminder has daily cleaning routines in place to safeguard children from cross contamination, for example, keeping worktops and toilet areas clean, using a steamer in the kitchen and ensuring children can access tissues and fresh drinking water from a dispenser. Children are protected and kept healthy through the childminder's clear

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Helping children to be healthy

understanding of procedures regarding accidents and the administration of medication.

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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 home that is well organised to encourage them to be independent and where they are able to move around the allotted areas with safety. Children's own artwork and creations are displayed on the walls offering children a sense of pride. Children learn about possible dangers through discussion and routines, for example, practicing fire drills, knowing who to contact in an emergency and discussing road safety issues when out walking. The childminder ensures emergencies contact details are taken with her during outings, although there is no written fire plan in place to fully support children's safety. Children are protected as the childminder has a good understanding of the child protection procedures and is aware of who to report her concerns to. Children are provided with an extensive range of play provisions, which they can access easily. These are regularly checked for damage and cleanliness to ensure

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children's safety. The childminder is vigilant about children's safety, she has minimised risks within the home and garden to safeguard them from harm. The childminder fully explains to children about staying safe, for example why they should not run around indoors or climb on the furniture as they might fall and hurt themselves.

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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 Consistent support and meaningful praise encourages children to become increasingly independent, for example, the childminder encourages the children to choose what they want to play with from the low storage areas. Children's imagination is promoted as they play in the Barbie house, selecting resources for the picnic and choosing dressing up clothes to become a fairy. Children's creative development is promoted as they take part in messy activities, for example, making a kite for a new visiting child and a crown out of cardboard. They have access to a range of media for decorating their creations such as glitter, glue and foam shapes and problem solving as child realises they could use the stickers to join the ends together on the head band. Children are kept fully stimulated by being provided with activities that cover all

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

aspects of play which includes free-play, messy-play, role-play, baking, musical instruments, singing and dancing. Children gain good self-esteem and confidence, knowing when to ask for help, for example, asking for help when trying on dressing up costume. The childminder builds strong relationships with the children, which contribute to their sense of belonging. She gets down at the children's level, taking an active part in their play and extending their learning, asking them to name the colours and shapes of the stickers and playing in the Barbie house. Children benefit from regular visits to the library, parent and toddler groups and when mixing with other children which extends their social interaction and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children gain a knowledge of the wider world by celebrating a range of familiar and unfamiliar festivals, for example, birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Diwali and Chinese New Year. They access a good range of toys that reflect diversity and promote positive images of gender, culture and disability. Children gain a good understanding of the local community with regular visits to the shops and library and learn about the environment as they feed the ducks, swans and horses and visit the local marina. The childminder maintains a very positive approach in dealing with special needs and un-wanted behaviour, children learn what is acceptable through discussion, praise and encouragement. The childminder has realistic expectations from children, she uses eye contact, smiles and merit stickers to promote self-esteem. Strategies used are discussed with parents to ensure a consistent approach.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are catered for as parents are provided with a range of information regarding the childminder's business via the notices displayed and through daily discussions. Children benefit from the strong links with home and the information shared at drop-off and collection time.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has the required training, child care knowledge and clear

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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 understanding of the requirements of her registration to fully support the children who attend. Play resources are laid out at low level to encourage children's independence. Children are fully occupied and engaged with many play opportunities during their time at the setting. Children benefit from a well-organised, safe, secure and stimulating environment, where their health, safety and well-being are promoted through documentation, which is secured well. The childminder maintains high adult-child ratios and ensures children are well supervised. 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 address the following, make sure that children have independent access to a wide range of toys and play materials. All play materials are now easily accessible to the children in the lounge and dining room to encourage independence and choice. She was also asked to maintain the outside area in a clean condition with regard to smoking and ensure children's attendance is recorded accurately. The garden has been maintained in a clean condition and the registers are recorded accurately which ensures children's safety.

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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): • devise an emergency escape plan

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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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