Bentley High Street Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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106752 Unique Reference Number 11 December 2007 Inspection date Valerie Anne Curotto 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 registered in December 2000 and is a member of the National Childminding Association. She lives with her husband and their two younger children, aged 16 and 19. The family live in the St Andrews area of Bristol. Childminding generally takes place on the ground floor. While the garden is not registered for use, children have access to local parks and regular walks. The childminder is registered to care for up to six children under eight years. There are currently four children on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from regular outdoor activities which promote their health and physical development. Local walks and park trips are part of their daily routine, in addition to outings to local facilities, such as city farms. While children's snacks and light meals are currently provided by parents, the childminder has an appropriate understanding of children's nutritional needs. She ensures children have sufficient drinks throughout the day and discusses healthy eating with children as they become older. Relevant information about children's individual

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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 needs is shared with parents to promote their health, including appropriate accident and medication records. General information, such as exclusion periods for sickness, is also shared with parents to minimise the risk of cross infection and promote the wellbeing of all children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are appropriately safeguarded within the setting as equipment, such as a fireguard, socket protectors and fire fighting equipment is in place to minimise hazards. A health and safety policy outlines daily checks undertaken to promote their wellbeing and suitable arrangements are in place to safeguard them on outings. While the childminder has not updated her child protection training in recent years, she is sufficiently aware of the local authority's role and related procedures to safeguard children. Children are appropriately supervised within the setting and resources are organised for them to develop skills in a safe environment. For example, young children develop mobility and strength as they support themselves using furnishings around the room. Equipment is rotated to provide ongoing interest and is at a level which enables young children to have independent access.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a range of outings which provide interest and regular opportunities for social contact with other children. They enjoy music and craft activities at local community groups and gain confidence as they use equipment at parks. Within the setting, children relate warmly to the childminder who is involved in their play. Young children babble and happily sway to music as they sit on the floor. They bring books to the childminder and sit on her lap as she reads favourite stories to them. Young children learn to hold and manipulate crayons, and complete simple puzzles with support. Older children undertake a range of seasonal craft activities, such as leaf printing and biscuit making. Activity planning is informal, although the childminder has begun to undertake occasional written observations of children's activities to assess their impact on children's development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Individual children's needs are met appropriately as initial information is gathered from parents and there is ongoing, informal discussion. This enables their individual routines, such as sleeping and eating to be observed appropriately. Children's awareness of diversity is supported by a good selection of multicultural resources, such as puzzles, books and dolls. Children behave well as the childminder uses suitable strategies, outlined in a behaviour management policy, to positively reinforce desired behaviour. Additional policies, based on those of the National Childminding Association are in place and shared with parents. However, these are not yet fully developed to effectively reflect practice within the setting and provide meaningful information to parents. Parents comment positively on the care their children receive, in particular the childminder's reliable and friendly manner. Information about their children's day is generally

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Helping children make a positive contribution

discussed with parents informally each day, although written daily journals are also available.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children undertake a suitable combination of activities within the setting and the local community. Within the home, available space is used appropriately to provide comfortable areas for children's play. Placement numbers are kept low by the childminder which ensures children receive individual attention and that activities reflect their interests. While further training has been limited since the last inspection, the childminder uses informal contact with other local childminders to reflect on her practice. In addition, this also provides positive social opportunities for children in her care. Documentation is generally well organised, including the daily register and individual children's records. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made good progress towards the four recommendations made at the last inspection. Resources to promote equal opportunity and anti discriminatory practice have been increased to support children's understanding of diversity and a fire safety plan is now in place to promote their safety. An appropriate system of recording daily attendance is now in place and written agreements with parents more clearly set out the arrangements for children's care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been two complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take action in order to meet the National Standards. The complaints related to National Standard 1 (Suitable person), National Standard 2 (Organisation), National Standard 6 (Safety) and National Standard 12 (Working in partnership with parents).

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Complaints since the last inspection

The first complaint raised concerns regarding the supervision of children and that the childminder did not have written agreements with all parents regarding the arrangements for care of their child. An unannounced visit to the childminder was made, resulting in two actions under National Standard 2. The childminder took appropriate action to ensure the Standards were met and remained qualified for registration. The second complaint raised concerns that the childminder was exceeding her registered numbers and that there was a lack of supervision of minded children. As a result, Ofsted carried out an unannounced visit which led to three actions being set under National Standard 6 and National Standard 14. A response to the actions was received from the childminder and Ofsted was satisfied that the childminder met the National Standards and remained qualified for registration.

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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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Complaints 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): • review policies and procedures to ensure they reflect practice and are meaningful to parents • continue to develop children's observations to further impact on activity planning.

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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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