Great Bradfords Infant and Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

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114989 Unique Reference Number 31 January 2008 Inspection date Shan Gwendoline Jones 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 was registered in 1993. She lives with her husband and two children aged 17 and 15 in Worthing, West Sussex. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding with toilet and sleep facilities on the first 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding five children under five years and four children over five all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also cares for over eights. The childminder regularly works with her daughter who is her assistant.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local childminding groups, takes children to the local library and to the local park. The family has a cockatiel, tortoise, guinea pig, two rats and some reptiles.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are beginning to learn about good personal care as part of their daily routine because the childminder talks to them about the importance of this. For example, learning to wash their hands at toilet and meal times and handling of the family pets. Their independence is promoted as young children use wipes to clean their hands after play and before meals. Children are protected from unnecessary illness as they do not attend if they are contagious. They are well cared for in the event of an accident as the childminder and her assistant hold a valid first aid certificate and good systems are in place for recording and administering medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that all children receive an individual package of care. This ensures that the children's health, safety and dietary requirements are fully met. Clear information is shared with parents regarding sickness and injury, which also contributes to the children's well-being. Children enjoy a wide range of interesting activities that contribute to their good health, for example regular visits to local parks, places of interest such as the beach and opportunities to use the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular drinks throughout the day and from a range of healthy snacks, which include fresh fruit. The childminder is fully aware of the importance of appropriate food-hygiene practice in order to prevent the risk of infection, and to maintain the children's good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment where their safety is given a high priority as the childminder completes regular risk assessments, identifying possible risks or hazards and she actively takes prompt action with utmost importance. She adapts her environment and assesses the ages and abilities of the children teaching them from a young age how to keep themselves safe. Identified hazards are dealt with promptly and effectively. The outdoor play space has been designed to be child friendly and safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Required documentation such as accident records are accurate and additional procedures such as alternative cover in the case of an emergency support children and parents. They play safely with an extensive range of good quality, age appropriate toys and resources that are regularly checked.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder plans outings carefully, ensuring these are suitable for the children attending and is well prepared for any eventuality. She has clear strategies in place in order to keep them safe, for example, all of the children wear badges with the childminders details and younger children also have wrist straps. Older children are made aware of safety on outings, they know if they do get separated to find a staff member or police officer. The childminders good understanding of issues related to child protection and local procedures to be followed, ensures children are protected from harm. Parents are fully informed of her responsibilities through discussion and her written policy.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy warm and caring relationships with the childminder and her assistant, who supports them extremely well, thus making them feel part of the family. The childminder recognises the children's efforts and achievements, and provides plenty of praise and encouragement.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy and learn from an excellent range of worthwhile and stimulating activities which support their all round maths, language, social and imaginative development. The childminder is using the Birth to three matters framework in a very positive way to support her care for the children under three years. This means that they are clearly having their individual needs and stages of development appropriately supported. The childminder makes excellent use of the environment and adapts the activities to occupy and stimulate the children. For example dry sand was brought indoors on a wet day. Children can access role play area and art and craft materials to support children's play and learning needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are interested, explore and play purposefully with activities, sometimes for extended periods of time. This helps with increasing their concentration skills. Children are encouraged to choose activities for themselves and are equally supported in their choices. Children have good access to a wide range of toys and play resources to support their needs and development. They are learning well about colours, shapes and simple numbers. Children enjoy looking at books and listening to stories.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

She plans a well balanced and exciting curriculum which engages the children's interest. Children have their own individual assessment file and reports about their progress. Children spend time learning about colours, numbers and shapes. They are developing their problem solving skills as they explore volume in the water and sand play, build with bricks and complete puzzles. Children are able to make excellent progress in all areas of their development. Outdoors there is a wealth of activities to stimulate and interest the children, they have a vegetable patch and grow radishes, tomatoes and lettuce. This enables them to learn about the food cycle and observe their growth and discuss healthy eating and the food chain.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder cares for the children extremely well. She works effectively with parents, ensuring the individual children’s needs are fully met. All children develop a sense of belonging, feel valued and are fully included in the life of the setting. The childminder provides an age appropriate range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children’s awareness. For example, younger children are introduced to different cultures and festivals via creative activities and discussion.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses the naturally occurring events to discuss differences and help children develop positive attitudes. She chats to children about differences in a positive light, for example autistic children and the various ways they may communicate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

They are well behaved as the childminder uses effective distraction techniques with the children and positive strategies to manage any difficulties that may arise. They are developing a positive self-image of themselves as the childminder offers praise and encouragement in their daily activities. Children are respected and valued as individuals. She has incorporated a behaviour

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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 management statement into the information she provides for parents, ensuring they are fully aware of the strategies, thereby encouraging consistency.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the strong and effective partnerships that have developed between the childminder and parents. Children's individual needs are accommodated as thorough discussions take place prior to the commencement of care, enabling children's needs to be fully met. However, written permission from parents as to the individual sleeping arrangements of children is not in place. A wealth of information on the effective care practices used, daily routine, activities and use of a daily dairy, keep parents up to date with their child's care and experiences. Individual Birth to three development progress sheets are also used and shared with parents charting the progress their child makes.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy, confident and feel at home as they receive lots of warm, individual attention to promote their emotional wellbeing. The childminder and her assistant organise the day to include a good variety of indoor and outdoor play activities. This helps to ensure the progress of children's individual development and learning.

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Organisation

The childminder's professional approach and effective practice ensure that all children are well protected. They also ensure that the children enjoy an extensive range of stimulating activities within a warm and welcoming environment. The childminder has a sound knowledge of child development and refers to the Birth to Three Matters and the Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage in her planning and organisation. She continually undertakes additional training and development, and is extremely well-qualified as a childminder and childcare practitioner.

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Organisation

The childminder ensures that good information is available to parents about the service she offers. She has developed policies and procedures to support her work in caring for the children. Children's health, safety and wellbeing are promoted as the childminder maintains efficient documentation. 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 the childminder was asked to ensure the daily attendance register is accurate and up to date and review the arrangement with parents to ensure children are adequately supervised when sleeping.

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Improvements since the last inspection

An accurate record of children attendance is kept which includes children's arrival and departure times. The childminder regularly checks on the children whilst they are sleeping to ensure their welfare and safety needs are met.

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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 parents, which they can see on request. The complaint 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 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): • obtain written permission from parents as to the individual sleeping arrangements of children.

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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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