Beechcroft School

Inspection report for early years provision

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101100 Unique Reference Number 10 October 2007 Inspection date Carole Elizabeth Price 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 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 was registered in 1996. She lives with her partner and teenage son in a three-bedroom house in Stroud. The whole of the house is available for childminding although the main care takes place on the ground floor. 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 eight children at various times across the week. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. The childminder attends toddler groups and goes for walks within the local community.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean, warm environment. They are encouraged to learn about hygiene routines and personal care, for example, using individual flannels and towels, wiping their own noses and appropriate toileting routines. Routines are in place for the children to carry out appropriate hand washing before eating, however, these are not always followed closely. Nappies

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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 are changed in the main room which does not allow for children's privacy. Most of the procedure is appropriate, however, the changing mat is not cleaned after use. This increases the risk of the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is protected by the procedures in place for cleaning surfaces before meals, the effective cleaning of equipment and toys and the administration of medication and first aid. The childminder has completed an appropriate first aid course, ensuring her knowledge is up to date and the children receive suitable treatment for minor injuries.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from fresh air through daily outings and a range of physical play opportunities outdoors. They play in the garden with toys and resources, walk to the woods, toddler groups or within the local area and have opportunities to run, slide and climb in the park.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to learn about a healthy diet through nutritious meals provided by their parents or the snacks which are provided by the childminder. These are healthy and balanced and include fresh fruit, dried fruit, savoury and sweet biscuits. The childminder works with parents and caters for their individual dietary needs. Children have regular drinks throughout the day which help to keep them well hydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for within a bright, welcoming and appropriately maintained environment. Hazards have been identified and made safe. For example, stair gates are in place, an appropriate fire blanket is available and toys with small pieces are kept out of reach of young children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder carries with her contact details of the parents at all times, so that she can contact them in an emergency wherever she is with the children. She also takes wound coverings on outings to attend to any accidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Available play space is limited to one main room. This is mainly used effectively to ensure that children have different areas to play safely with different activities, for example, craft activities organised at the table with play space on the floor. Toys and resources available to the children are easily accessible, safe, and appropriate for their ages.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted through the knowledge and understanding of the childminder. She has attended a child protection awareness course and has an understanding of the safeguarding children procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a range of activities and resources over time. They have access to toys which are stored appropriately to allow them to choose for themselves. These toys are then changed regularly to keep children's interest. Children are happy and relaxed within the childminder's home. They talk about their friends who attend and enjoy each other's company. The childminder makes eye contact and interacts well with the children when she gives them individual attention. She asks appropriate questions, for example, 'What colour is this brick?' and 'What shape is this?'.

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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 Activities are very loosely planned during the day to incorporate outings and individual sleep patterns of the children. For example, they go for walks in the woods and collect leaves to use for rubbing or in a creative activity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Appropriate activities are organised which involve the children going out into the community each day, for example, trips to the library, singing groups and park. These are organised around the individual routines of the children, which the childminder knows well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled and happy within the childminder's home and confidently choose what they want to play with from the resources offered. Children have positive relationships with the childminder and each other, helping them to feel secure and settled. The childminder knows the children well and provides activities and resources which interest them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder helps to raise children's awareness of diversity by providing a few resources which reflect positive images of the wider community. Activities to further develop and extend this area of the children's knowledge and learning are not regularly organised.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about the local community as they visit the local shops, library and parks. Children's individual care needs are met as their individual routine is followed, as discussed with their parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is calm in her approach and has positive strategies in place for managing children's behaviour. Children are learning to share and co-operate as they play together and discuss why they should share and take turns using the glue sticks or play telephone.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder builds positive working relationships with parents. They share information about the child's individual needs before their care starts, ensuring continuity of care. The childminder is available to discuss issues with parents at the end of the day. She shares information on how their child has been and what they have done. This helps to keep parents informed and involved.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder clearly enjoys her work and being with the children. She understands the need to keep up to date and is currently attending an appropriate childminding course. Children are happy as they play with their friends in a relaxed and homely environment. Children's health is protected through many of the routines in place, however, the lack of some routines increases the risk of the spread of infection.

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Organisation

The limited play space is organised to provide areas for different activities. Children learn about others in the community through outings, however, limited activities are available for them to extend their learning of diversity.

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Organisation

All regulatory records are in place and stored securely. The times of children's arrival and departure are recorded daily but siblings are recorded together making it very unclear as to who is on the premises at any one time.

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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 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 recommendations were made for the childminder to complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children and to increase children's access to activities and resources which reflect positive images of disability and support their imagination. The childminder has attended an appropriate first aid course to ensure her knowledge is up to date and children receive appropriate treatment in the event of an accident. Resources which reflect diversity have been increased and are available to the children to help their awareness as they play. Activities organised to reflect diversity still need further development.

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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 the 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 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 appropriate hygiene procedures are followed to minimise the risk of spread of infection. • ensure children's times of arrival and departure are clearly recorded for each child. • further develop and extend play resources and activities to help children learn about diversity.

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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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