Shield Row Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

141997 Unique Reference Number 20 November 2007 Inspection date Elaine Douglas Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2000 and now refers to her provision as Busy Bees Childcare. She lives with her son aged four years. They live in a terraced house in Bridgwater within walking distance of local schools and parks. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five all day. The family has a dog and a rabbit. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is protected by good hygiene procedures. They play in clean premises which are appropriately heated at a comfortable temperature. High chairs and surfaces are hygienically maintained, and children are protected from cross contamination by having individual flannels and towels. The childminder holds a current first aid qualification and has a suitable supply of

p.2

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 first aid equipment. Good records are kept of the administration of any necessary first aid or medication and parental consent is requested for seeking emergency advice or treatment, so children are protected in the event of an accident. A sensible sick child policy is shared with parents to protect children from illness.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is promoted through daily opportunities to enjoy going for walks, and playing in the park and garden. For example, they use the slide and roundabout, play ball and ride a bike to develop their large muscles skills. Children are active, sleep and rest, according to their own individual needs.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Older children develop good routines which promote their awareness of healthy practices, such as washing their hands after using the toilet and all the children wash their hands before eating. However, the youngest children do not wash their hands after having their nappy changed. Children develop an awareness of healthy eating through discussions while reading books and trying different foods. They have good, regular access to drinks, which prevents them from getting thirsty. Parents provide most of their children's food. However, the childminder is aware of providing healthy options when requested.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe and secure due to constant, good supervision. The front door is kept locked and has an alarm which sounds when it is open. The childminder carries out good risk assessments of her premises and uses appropriate safety equipment to protect children, while allowing them independence. For example, older children are able to access the toilet safely, while the stair-gate prevents them from going upstairs. A high chair enables younger children to sit safely at the table and a small step is used for children to reach the sink. The garden is completely enclosed, and the shed and side gate are kept locked. The trampoline has a safety net but this is not currently accessed by the children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have good space to play and can access some of the wide range of developmentally appropriate resources. Others are well-organised in a large walk-in cupboard and all equipment and toys are in good condition. The childminder checks to ensure there are no small pieces when younger children are present. Children develop an awareness of helping with the own safety through practising the emergency evacuation procedures. Children are transported safely and with their parents consent; the childminder provides appropriate car seats. The childminder has good written procedures to follow in the event of a child being lost or uncollected.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded through the childminder's sound knowledge of child protection issues. She knows the correct procedures to follow in the event of a concern and has them in writing to share with parents. However, she is unsure of the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation against herself or any of her household and does not have the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance .

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children under three years benefit significantly from the childminder using the Birth to three matters framework. She identifies children's schemas of learning and uses very well documented observations, by written and photographic evidence, to record the children's development. She uses this information to plan an exciting range of activities, which ensures children are

p.3

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 purposefully engaged and provided with effective challenge; this promotes continued development in all areas.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children display excitement as they chase bubbles and dance to music. Excellent interaction promotes children's communication skills as they look at books with the childminder, who asks good open-ended questions and introduces new words. Their mathematical skills are enhanced as they sort shapes and count along with the childminder.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to make choices and initiate games for themselves. For example, when the childminder says she is going to make a drink, one child goes to the play kitchen and does the same; the childminder then extends their game into having a picnic. Consequently, children are motivated to learn through their play and relish their time with the childminder. She plans stimulating art and craft activities, such as bark rubbing, leaf printing, leaf pictures and paper plate faces. Children take care of their own environment both inside and outside; they enjoy planting bulbs and seeds, and looking after the garden.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have excellent opportunities to attend groups and services which benefit them. For example, they regularly use the library, a music group and the Family Centre, where they experience a wider range of resources and activities. This also promotes children's social skills as they interact with other children.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very settled and happy because parents are invited to stay and settle their children, and the childminder seeks good information from parents to enable her to meet their individual needs. Children are extremely well-behaved and are gently reminded to use please and thank you, so they develop an awareness of expectations.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the very good exchange of information with their parents, which ensures they receive appropriate care and are looked after according to their parents' wishes. Parents are provided with extensive information on the childminder's provision; many of the policies and procedures are in writing. Parents receive excellent information on their child's development and the childminder uses diaries if verbal communication is difficult, for example, if someone other than the parents collect their child.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop a good awareness of people's differences through accessing a range of positive images of cultures and disabilities, and attending 'sing and sign' classes. The childminder has not cared for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, however, she is aware of the need to work with parents to assess her premises and provision, to ensure children's needs are met.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are relaxed in the friendly, child-centred environment. Children benefit from the good organisation of the childminder's time, premises and documentation. The childminder is committed to ongoing improvements and seeks feedback from parents. She evaluates her own practice and continually updates her knowledge by attending training. For example, since her last inspection she has attended training in understanding children's behaviour, observing,

p.4

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 recording and evaluating the Birth to three matters framework and Foundation Stage curriculum, and looking at how children learn.

p.4

Organisation

Children's welfare is effectively protected by well organised documentation which is stored confidentially. Each child has their own individual file which is easily accessible and contains all necessary records. Many of her policies and procedures are in writing and individual to her own practice, consequently, they are effectively implemented. However, the written complaints policy does not contain information on timescales to investigate complaints or the correct contact details for Ofsted. The childminder meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure her first aid training is kept up to date, ensure children have an appropriate range of activities and resources which provide positive images of people's differences, and request written permission to seek emergency advice or treatment.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Since that inspection the childminder has maintained her first aid qualification, which ensures she is able to deal with minor accidents effectively. She has obtained written consent from parents to seek emergency advice or treatment, which enables her to act quickly to protect children in the event of an emergency. She has increased her resources for children to use which provide positive images of cultures and disabilities, this helps children to gain a positive awareness of people's differences.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1st April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take action in order to meet the National Standards.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • develop the younger children's awareness of healthy practices with regard to hand washing after nappy changing • increase knowledge and understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board and the procedures for allegations against members of the household

p.5

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 • update the information for parents on the complaints procedure, to include timescales for investigations and the correct details for contacting Ofsted

p.5

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

p.6

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

p.6