Bromham CofE Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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109611 Unique Reference Number 13 March 2008 Inspection date Catherine Hill 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 has been registered since 1997. She lives with her son, aged 14 years, in a three bedroom house in Hampton, Middlesex. Children have access to all of the downstairs areas and to two of the upstairs bedrooms, one of which is mainly used for sleeping. There is an enclosed rear garden for outside play. The home is situated close to schools and parks, and can be accessed easily by public transport. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She is currently minding three children under five years at various times during the week. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and local childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children develop an understanding of a healthy lifestyle within the childminder's care. They have good opportunities for exercise to develop and maintain healthy bodies and access to a varied, healthy diet. They are taken out daily in the fresh air for walks and are able to play in the garden with a variety of outside resources. Indoors, children have fun using their feet to

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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 propel themselves around on a sit and ride toy. They carefully and skilfully manoeuvre around from one room to another. The childminder has attended training on food and nutrition, and provides children with a good variety of balanced, nutritious meals and snacks. Children have grapes for a snack and freely access their drink when thirsty. They receive appropriate care if they have an accident as the childminder has a current first aid certificate. She has a first aid box, although the contents have not been rigorously checked to ensure they are all within their expiry dates and maintains a record of accidents which are shared with parents. Children play in a clean environment and the childminder's policies and procedures help protect them from illness and infection. Children are taught to wash their hands after using the toilet, although

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Helping children to be healthy

are not always encouraged to do so before eating their snack, and have their own individual towels and bedding. The childminder has had training regarding infection control within the home and has written policies to support her practice, for example she has a health and hygiene, and sick child policy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play very happily within a warm and welcoming home environment. The childminder displays a variety of educational posters to provide children with a stimulating surround for play and learning. Child-size furniture helps promote children's independence as they choose when they wish to sit for an activity. They freely get up when they are ready to move to play elsewhere in the home. They have access to a range of toys to help develop their skills and actively explore resources keeping themselves purposefully occupied. For example, they delight in the freedom to take a doll for a walk in a toy buggy around the downstairs areas. Everyday items are used effectively by the childminder as play materials. For example, a large cardboard box is opened out and laid flat giving all children an opportunity to sit and mark make together. The childminder checks her home before children arrive for safety and ensures the premises

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

are secure. She has fitted socket covers in unused electrical points, has safety catches on kitchen cupboards and teaches children how to safely use the stairs. She maintains written records of fire drills practised with children and has a fire blanket in the kitchen and smoke detector upstairs but does not have one fitted on the ground floor of the home. Outside the garden is securely enclosed and the rear gate padlocked, however, the slide is not securely anchored when used by children. The childminder keeps a constant watch on children and reminds children about safety as they play, for example reminding them not to put items in their mouth. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder understands her responsibilities with regard to child protection. She has attended training and has a written policy to support her practice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children engage in a good range of play activities which contributes to their development. The childminder allows children to follow their own interests which reduces the incidents when they may feel frustration. Children, for example, show an interest in the fastening on their buggy and are given time to explore how the clasps fit together. They use their imagination as they play, taking a doll for a walk and setting out play food as if serving a meal. They have fun with the childminder who takes a genuine, caring interest in what children say and do. Children sit happily next to the childminder and mark make as she demonstrates how to draw a picture of a cat. She asks children questions as they play to stimulate their thinking. Children show an awareness of their body as they correctly point to their nose when talking about parts of the body. They listen as the childminder counts, for example five grapes into a bowl and furthers

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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 their understanding of number as the childminder sings number rhymes to them. Children's eyes twinkle with glee as the childminder starts to sing 'Mousey Brown' and they join in with the actions and words. They giggle and laugh with the childminder as they finish the song and clap their hands showing they are proud of their singing. They develop an understanding of shape as they play with shape sorters and show an interest in books as they nestle closely to the childminder while she reads the story of 'Where's my teddy?'. The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn, has attended training, for example on the Birth to three matters framework and maintains development records for each child which are updated on a regular basis.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of children's individual needs and interests. She is attentive to their needs and children are totally at ease within her care showing that secure trusting relationships have been formed. Children have equal opportunity of access to all activities as appropriate to their age and stage of development. They develop a positive understanding of diversity through everyday experiences. The childminder has a positive attitude towards caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Children behave well in the childminder's care as they are occupied and sensitively supported in learning through play. The childminder has established a positive partnership with parents. She has a range of written information which she shares regarding her practice and also has information displayed within her home. Parents are kept informed about their child's progress as the childminder

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Helping children make a positive contribution

shares children's development records with them and also gives verbal feedback which parents find is 'excellent'. Parents are very positive in their praise of the childminder who they find to be 'warm, caring, fun, flexible, experienced and responsible'.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her time efficiently to provide children with a range of learning experiences both inside and outside the home. Children are happy and enjoy themselves learning through well supported play. Professional development is ongoing for the childminder. She is continually seeking to improve her knowledge and practice by attending relevant training courses and by introducing new ideas, for example a parent pack of information regarding her service to further strengthen her partnership with parents. She has been awarded a level 3 in the National Childminding Association's Quality First assurance scheme. Documentation to support her practice is confidentiality maintained and regularly updated. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since her last inspection the childminder has improved her documentation. She has developed and implemented a sick child policy and has obtained written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment.

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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

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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 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): • improve hygiene procedures for hand washing • ensure the contents of the first aid box are frequently and rigorously checked to ensure all items are within their expiry date and suitable for childminding purposes • improve fire safety by installing a smoke alarm on the ground floor of the property, which conforms to BS EN safety standards • ensure the garden slide is securely anchored when children are playing outside.

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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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