Churchend Primary Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 136457 Inspection date 03 August 2005 Inspector Kay Roberts

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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 satisfactory. 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 first registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and eleven years. The home is a three bedroom detached property. It is located within walking distance of Holy Trinity, Wheatfield Road and Meadow Brook Schools. Minded children have access to lounge/diner. The main bedroom is available for babies requiring sleep. There is a fully enclosed back garden suitable for outdoor 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 Registration is for a maximum of four children under eight years and there are currently four children on roll, all of whom are under five years of age.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is actively promoted. There are regular opportunities to go into the fresh air. In the garden children develop large muscle skills as they play on bikes. Children are encouraged to remain in the garden as the childminder sets up activities, such as the water table and sand, which will appeal to children and sustain their interest. Babies are able to play with toys on a blanket that is laid out on the grass in the shade. As the local woods are away from traffic, the young children have an opportunity to walk, as they explore nature. They study caterpillars and collect sticks and leaves. In autumn the childminder points out the colour of the leaves. On returning to the childminder's home, children use the leaves to make pictures. Children are developing an understanding of healthy eating through the provision of snacks such as dried raisins, pieces of bread stick and bananas at snack time. Snack

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Helping children to be healthy

time is a relaxed occasion when children are able to watch a short television programme. Fun activities such as providing a tray of tomatoes allow babies to become familiar with the texture of foods in preparation for inclusion in the diet. The childminder is alert to special dietary requirements and provides suitable alternatives for children who have an allergy, for example when making iced biscuits at toddlers, each child decorated a biscuit. When the children ate their decorated biscuits, the child with an allergy was provided with a plain biscuit, and the creation taken home to show parents. The provision of a clean environment and exclusion of children who are sick minimises the risk of children becoming infected. Even though very young children are learning the importance of hygiene as their hands are wiped with wet wipes before meals and after playing outside. The childminder explains to children that she

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Helping children to be healthy

is cleaning their hands. The risk of babies and young children having an allergic reaction whilst they are with the childminder is minimised as the childminder does not administer medication and parents provide sun cream, wet wipes and nappies for their own children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children move freely around the home as potential hazards are removed and placed out of reach. Areas, such as the stairs and kitchen which may pose a risk are made inaccessible through the provision of safety gates. However, in the event of a fire, children's safety may be compromised, the fire blanket is wrongly sited and may be inaccessible in the event of a fire. Although the childminder has an emergency evacuation procedure it has not been fully considered or practised. The garden is

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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 fully secure and the childminder ensures children's safety through close supervision. The slightly raised pond is covered with a metal grid, but this is not secured and could be removed by some children, exposing a hazard. On outings the childminder teaches children the importance of staying close and warns them about the danger of cars. Children are protected from abuse and neglect as the childminder has a sound knowledge of the signs and symptoms, and is aware of the local child protection procedures. The home is appropriately organised. There are suitable arrangements so that babies who are tired can sleep undisturbed as they lie in the travel cot located in the main bedroom. Furniture has been placed to the side of the room in the lounge/diner to create space for children to play and babies to crawl. Children confidently help

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

themselves to toys, such as cars and books which are available in a large chest and drawers. Toys are placed in front of babies so they are able to reach; others are placed slightly out of reach to encourage to them to crawl. Toys are rotated on a regular basis so that children remain interested. Children are relaxed as the home is well maintained throughout and sufficient furniture and equipment in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are content in the childminder's home and like sitting on her lap as they complete puzzles. The childminder is alert to what the children are doing and when a baby attempts to reach the toy telephone she gives encouragement by saying "go on …. you can do it". She explains to another child that the helmet is normally worn by a fire officer. As the dustbin lorry arrives in the street she picks up a child so they can watch. Babies have fun as they play 'peek a boo' with the childminder. On the day of the inspection children enjoyed the company of the childminder's daughter. She showed children how to put a doll into a carrier and provided them with a toy bottle so they could feed the baby. Opportunities to socialise are encouraged through weekly visits to a toddler group, soft play and a colleague who offers care to similar age children. In the summer months children are taken on day to trips to places such as Avon Valley Country Park

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and Cattle Country. There are broad activity plans which are generally undertaken when the baby is asleep, such as junk modelling and cooking. Sometimes babies are included and may do painting as they sit in the high chair. However the childminder is unclear as to how she promotes all aspects of development for each child and planning does not focus on the needs of babies.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. A gradual introduction to the setting helps children settle quickly. To assist this process the childminder spends a lot of time with new children and remains in the home during the first week so that children do not become confused. Initially, children's home routines are followed, but these may be changed over time to take

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 into consideration the regular outings such as visits to toddler groups and school runs. The close working relationship with parents helps children to feel relaxed in the childminder's care. Parents are reassured about their children's care as they are verbally updated about the day. The childminder has a sound knowledge of children's individual interests, likes and dislikes. The childminder has some experience of caring for children with special needs. At present she would be reluctant to accept a placement for a child with special needs because of the impact on other minded children. Minded children are generally well behaved and are able to share. They are provided with praise for positive behaviour and unwanted behaviour is sensitively managed according to children's age and level of understanding. The word "no" and distraction

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Helping children make a positive contribution

is used with babies, but as children get older there is explanation and discussion. Story books are used to inform children about why it is wrong to be selfish and to fight. Incidents are rare, they are not recorded and may not always be shared with parents. Children learn about the local community through regular outings to the woods. There are opportunities to experience different modes of transport, travelling by bus into Bristol, touring around the docks on a boat and taking a train ride to Weston-super-Mare. As children are still very young they have not yet been introduced to the cultures of others, but have daily access to resources reflecting positive images of diversity and look at books with the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care. She is appropriately organised so that she is able to offer children a suitable environment in which to play and is able to protect children from people who have not been vetted. Time is planned so that all children have some individual time with the childminder. Documentation is up to date and confidentially maintained. A folder of information which includes a few brief, pertinent, personalised policies, such as sickness make parents aware of the childminder's practice. The childminder has many years of experience working with children, but has not sought to extend her practice through further training. A paediatric first aid training course is to be undertaken in October, as the current first aid certificate has now expired.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to meet two actions. Ofsted are now notified of significant changes within the home and adult to child ratios are maintained at all times. There was also a recommendation to develop an understanding of the Standards and regulations to child care. The childminder has obtained and read an up to date copy of the Standards and this has prompted her to improve documentation. However, a fuller understanding needs to be developed in order to extend practice and to ensure full compliance with the Standards, for example recording of incidents and sharing this information with parents.

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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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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 satisfactory. 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 children's safety is not compromised by undertaking a further risk assessment in relation to the pond and taking acting to minimise these, and improving fire safety measures • further develop planning and activities so that the needs of all children, particularly babies are taken into consideration • ensure incidents are recorded and details shared with parents • extend your knowledge of the National Standards and develop your practice accordingly

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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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