Beckers Green Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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114794 Unique Reference Number 25 March 2008 Inspection date Helen Penticost 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 2000. She lives with her husband and family in Horsham, West Sussex. The whole of the home is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child under the age of five, who attends on a part time basis and one child over the age of five before and after school. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive whilst in the childminder's care due to the effectiveness she has to promote healthy living and high standards of hygiene. They are encouraged to independently wash their hands after visiting the toilet and they are given individual hand towels to prevent the risk of cross infection. Children have access to an immaculately clean and hygienic environment which

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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 promotes their wellbeing at all times. The childminder does not care for children who are unwell and she uses National Childminding Association (NCMA) forms and records books to record health and medical needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eat healthy snacks and meals throughout the day, which are prepared appropriately by using thorough hygiene practices. This fully prevents the possible spread of infection. The childminder provides children with milk or water and she stated this in her healthy eating policy. The parents provide other drinks if they wish. The childminder liaises closely with parents and carers regarding meal provision, allergies and preferences.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the high emphasis placed on taking daily exercise and fresh air. This involves regular walks to local parks, play at toddlers, and free play within the garden. This enables children to develop their large muscle movement and as a result children develop a positive attitude towards physical exercise. Children partake in many craft activities, which develops hand eye co-ordination and small and finger control as they hold paint brushes and play with play dough.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a warm and cheerful environment where they safely access available resources. The childminder displays children's craftwork for others to see, such as collages; this ensures the children feel valued and secure. Children play with a good range of age appropriate and challenging toys and the childminder rotates large equipment such as tents and ball pools to develop interests and skills. The home and all play materials are clean and maintained to effectively safeguard the children and are stored in the dedicated playroom.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning house rules and follow good practice demonstrated by the childminder to avoid accidental injury. They have use of a fully enclosed outdoor play area, which is equipped with sturdy apparatus suitable for the varied ages and development needs of children attending. The childminder has ensured and regularly maintains all safety measures, she is proactive in assessing dangers and minimise all risks in and outside of the home environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge of child protection issues. All the relevant reference materials are in place and used effectively to ensure the children's welfare. As a result the safety and welfare of the children in the childminder's care is always a priority.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled at the childminder's home. They have access to a range of stimulating activities that encourage their involvement. They have good opportunities to play imaginatively using a wide range of toys, role play and creative resources. Children go outdoors frequently, for example, for nature trails with the childminder to collect leaves to create collage pictures and they observe the birds within the garden. This allows children to learn about their own environment and countryside around them by using most of their senses.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are making good progress and the childminder supports their learning by giving children challenges appropriate to their stage of development. The childminder, for example, provides activities which allow children to develop their mathematical thinking such as shape sorters. Children are also encouraged to develop their language skills. They like looking at books and

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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 visit the library on a regular basis. The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn and develop and provides age and stage appropriate activities. Currently, the childminder does not write play plans for children, however, this would enhance her practice and develop children's individual interests. The childminder praises children for their achievements which increases their confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are fully valued and cared for according to their individual preferences and needs. The childminder gets to know children well, being aware of their individual personalities and preferences. Children develop an understanding of their needs and are learning about the needs of others. They are helped to learn about cultures from their own lives and are helped to develop a positive attitude towards people from their immediate and wider world, through their access to books, puzzles, puppets, dolls, play people and play materials that are provided.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and are supported by the childminder's use of praise and encouragement. She uses appropriate strategies, such as discussion and distraction, which is consistent to the age and developmental stage of the children to ensure they understand right from wrong. The childminder promotes positive behaviour by praising the good behaviour by, for example, using sticker charts.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

An effective partnership with parents ensures that children are settled and secure. Parents receive information regarding the service offered by the childminder. Information about individual children's progress and interesting events are shared with parents in daily chats at handover and with the use of a daily diary. Parents record their satisfaction with the quality of care provided in written comments on the parental questionnaires.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of childcare and development. She is enthusiastic and motivated in her role and has a high regard for the well-being of children in her care. This contributes significantly to the overall care and childminding practice. In response, children are secure in the warm family orientated environment.

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Organisation

Space and resources are organised to maximise play and learning opportunities for children, and allows children to develop independence skills. The childminder has a clear purpose towards improvement. She continually attends relevant training and updates her knowledge, which reflects the overall good practice. All legally required documentation is in place and available for inspection. Policies and procedures are organised and work well in practice, to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was requested to ensure that the updated version of the Area Child Protection Committee procedures are available. All required documentation is now available.

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Improvements 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

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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. 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): • develop play plans for children that promote their individual needs and interests

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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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