Bahr Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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136258 Unique Reference Number 27 July 2007 Inspection date Amy Skilton 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 outstanding. 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 and her husband live with their four children, aged 21, 19, 14 and 12 years, in a detached house in Almondsbury, South Gloucestershire. They have two pet cats, one dog and four tortoises.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The areas of the house used for childminding are, on the ground floor, the play room, the lounge, the kitchen, dining room and the cloakroom/toilet. On the first floor, there is a bathroom/toilet and two bedrooms designated for children to sleep in cots.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the South Gloucestershire Children Come First childminding network. She has undertaken training to become an accredited childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are exceptionally well protected from infection, due to the childminder's meticulous attention to hygiene. She ensures that her home is spotless and that toys are cleaned regularly,

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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 including sterilisation of baby toys. Children have their own bedding for naps, face cloths and individual towels for hygienic drying of their hands. They learn very good hygiene routines, as they are reminded to wash their hands appropriately, throughout the day. An effective sickness exclusion policy is given to parents, when their child first attends, to protect all minded children from the spread of infection. Children receive excellent care, when they are unwell or injured. The childminder has a current first aid certificate, and has arranged to renew her qualification, before it expires. All records of accidents and medication are extremely detailed and shared effectively with parents, to ensure that children's care is consistent.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from very healthy eating. They enjoy participating in preparing fruit snacks and eat nutritious meals, mainly supplied by parents. They learn about healthy foods, as the childminder discusses the benefits of choosing fruit or vegetables and a poster on the wall re-emphasises this. She works closely with parents, to ensure that each child eats balanced meals and that their special dietary needs are met. Children have plenty of fluids, as water is always available to them, in named bottles.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy an outstanding variety of physical activities, which contribute to their good health and help them to develop their skills. They play in the garden, using an extensive range of equipment, including wheeled toys, climbing frames, slides and a tunnel. They run around, take part in physical activities, such as obstacle courses, and enjoy daily walks. For example, they visit the local park to collect natural resources to make collages.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy the facilities of a very attractive, child-friendly environment, where their safety is given the highest priority. They are cared for in a designated play room, where the space is used extremely well, to provide them with a wide variety of activities. The childminder has worked hard to create a stimulating environment for them, displaying their work, colourful posters, for example a map of the world, and providing an excellent variety of toys and resources, from which they choose freely. All toys are in good condition and exceptionally clean. Children are secure in the house and garden, due to locked doors and gates, as well as high fences around the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an excellent understanding of all safety issues. She constantly risk assesses her home, ensuring that children are safe, whatever their stage of development, and adapting the play rooms to meet their changing needs. Children learn to manage their own safety, as, for example, she teaches them about safe play and road safety awareness.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe in emergencies, as the childminder regularly practises evacuation procedures and implements effective measures to protect them, such as a fire evacuation plan using one of three exits on the ground floor and a further exit on the first floor. They are very well protected from abuse or neglect, due to her excellent understanding of all child protection issues and procedures. She has attended relevant training courses and kept up-to-date with current practice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy a very good variety of appropriate activities, which help them to make progress in all areas. They choose from a vast range of toys and resources, including construction, small

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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 world toys, books, puzzles and musical instruments. They experience a variety of textures, for example, exploring natural and man made resources in a treasure basket. Messy play is also available and children are able to enjoy playing with paint, play dough, sand or water. They benefit from educational trips, such as to the museum. They make good progress with their communication skills, as the childminder interacts effectively with them and uses Macaton for younger children, encouraging them to express themselves. They become independent, making choices and helping themselves to the carefully-organised toys. They develop lively imaginations, as the childminder engages effectively in their role play. The childminder has a good understanding of the Birth to three matters framework and Foundation Stage, and uses this

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to assess and record children's development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are nurtured in a loving environment, where they are settled and content. They enjoy very warm relationships with the childminder and respond to her gentle manner and copious praise for all their efforts. They learn about right and wrong, as she clearly explains how they should share toys and take turns with resources. They behave exceptionally well, showing understanding of the childminder's clear routines and high expectations of their behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children use excellent resources, such as books about race or disability, or small world multicultural toys, including a small wheel chair and a visually impaired doll. Their self-esteem is thoughtfully enhanced, as their work and photographs are displayed and they record on a wall chart how tall they are, comparing how much they have grown. Children's individual needs are understood and skilfully met, due to very effective assessment systems for all ages. There are no children with special needs on roll, but excellent systems are in place to allow all children to be included and supported.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents receive excellent information from the childminder, which enables them to be fully involved in all aspects of their children's care and learning. Their introductory pack includes detailed information about policies and procedures, as well as details of the Birth to three matters framework and the Foundation Stage curriculum. The childminder provides excellent information on a daily basis, both verbally and through a diary, which is tailored to each age-group, and gives details of activities and all aspects of care. She also keeps video and photographic records, as well as comprehensive records of children's progress, all of which are shared regularly with parents, to ensure consistent care for children. Parents receive newsletters every term, for example, updating them on key dates and healthy eating. Their feedback is welcomed, as the childminder sends out evaluation forms for them to complete on any area of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

her practice. All feedback has been positive, which reflects the high levels of care that she provides.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are cared for by a well-qualified and experienced childminder, who is committed to constantly improving her practice, by attending relevant training courses. She occasionally works with an assistant, who helps out at times when there are extra minded children. She has her own effective vetting procedures in place to ensure that any assistants are suitable. Children's care is underpinned by all the required documentation, as well as written policies and procedures being in place, which are shared effectively with parents, to ensure that children's care is always

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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 consistent. The childminder has a complaints policy in place and is confident of the procedure to follow. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

Exemplary records of children's progress enable parents to be closely involved in their child's development. Assessment records also contribute effectively to the childminder's planning of themes and activities, to meet children's individual needs. Space and resources are carefully organised, to provide a safe, attractive and child-friendly environment, and a wide range of interesting activities.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to further develop her skills in observation and assessment, to assist in planning the next steps in children's learning. She has put in place excellent recording systems for these purposes, clearly identifying children's stages of learning and future needs, through written comments, annotated photographs and videos. She has a good understanding of the Foundation Stage, matching children's abilities to the appropriate stepping stones.

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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

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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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