Bishop's Waltham Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

116006 Unique Reference Number 25 February 2008 Inspection date Nicola Hill 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 has been registered since 1997. She lives with her husband and their two children aged 15 and 10 in a semi-detached house in Isleworth. The property is close to local schools and amenities and there is a park nearby. The ground floor of the house is mainly used for childminding, with toilet facilities available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have two pet dogs.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and has gained the NCMA Certificate in Childminding Practice. She is a member of the Hounslow, Cranford and Heston Childminding Network and attends the local carer and toddler groups, one of which she helps to run. She holds a valid first aid qualification. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children aged between 22 months and three years, one of whom attends on a full-time basis. She is not registered to provide overnight care.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable home, where the childminder maintains good standards of hygiene. The childminder acts as a good role model and ensures the children gain an understanding of the importance of good hygiene. For example, the childminder follows good hygiene practice when changing nappies and gives consistent guidance, as she reminds children to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. There is currently one minor weakness in the childminder's attempts to prevent cross-contamination as children use a shared towel to dry their hands. The childminder has a written policy on sickness, which clearly explains her practice to parents. She maintains a current first aid certificate, keeping her knowledge up to date, and there are good procedures in place to record accidents and administer any necessary medication.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The food provided by the childminder is nutritious and freshly prepared, which promotes children's good health. The childminder holds a Level 2 award in food safety in catering, and has taken the initiative to register with her local environmental health department as a food business, which ensures children remain fully protected. Children enjoy plenty of fruit and vegetables that the childminder incorporates into snacks and lunches, such as pasta with pesto, couscous, vegetable sticks and humous. The childminder prepares food in accordance with parental wishes and the children's dietary requirements. Children have frequent drinks throughout the day in order to keep well hydrated. They are developing an understanding of a healthy diet by taking part in cooking activities, such as making homemade pizzas and washing fruit for snack. The childminder also encourages children to try fruits that are new to them,

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

such as Sharon fruit, guava and rambutan.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder contributes positively to children's physical well-being. Children benefit from good daily opportunities to be outside in the fresh air as they visit the local parks, play in the courtyard garden and go on walks along the river with the dogs to feed the ducks. This enables the children to develop a positive attitude towards exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills. They visit local soft play centres and have fun riding on wheeled toys in the garden, which helps them to develop control of their bodies. Children are able to rest and be active according to their needs.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a comfortably furnished and equipped environment, enabling children to make good use of space that is child focused. The childminder has taken care to provide a warm and welcoming home for the children, with colourful posters and children's artwork on the walls. There is a good range of safe, suitable and developmentally appropriate toys and resources, that are mostly easily accessible to the children allowing self-selection, such as books, puzzles, musical instruments and dressing up clothes. Other resources are stored in cupboards and are rotated during the day to sustain the children's levels of interest. The children are independent and are confident to select the toys and resources they wish to use. The childminder regularly checks the toys to ensure they are clean and in a good condition.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is vigilant in her supervision of the children. She undertakes visual safety checks of the premises each day and has recorded a formal risk assessment of the premises,

p.3

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 which generally ensures children's safety and well-being, although she has not identified that children could lock themselves in the toilet, due to the low level bolt on the door. In addition, the childminder has not taken sufficient measures to ensure the laminate floor does not pose slip hazard, as one child slipped on the floor during the inspection. Other safety measure are in place as the front door is secure, the childminder uses equipment such as stair gates and socket covers, and ensures hazardous items are inaccessible to the children. Children are learning to keep themselves safe, as the childminder includes road safety as part of a topic on transport and has taken the children to visit the fire station. She also ensures fire drills are practised and recorded regularly.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a secure understanding of child protection issues and reporting procedures. She recognises the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and is aware of her duties and responsibility to protect the children in her care. Parents have been made aware of the name and address of another registered childminder that would be contacted in the event of an emergency at the setting and have given their consent for their children to be cared for by this person. Thus ensuring the children's welfare at all times.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children develop a huge amount of confidence and positive self-esteem through the interaction, care, love and attention they receive from the childminder. The childminder is kind and caring and her calm manner helps children to feel comfortable and at ease. Children receive cuddles and affection from the childminder, as well as having time to play imaginatively, exchange lively conversation and explore toys and activities independently. The childminder shows high regard to valuing children's efforts and praising them as they develop new knowledge and skills. She knows the children very well and demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of their individual needs, which has a positive impact on the children's care, learning and enjoyment.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make excellent progress as the childminder has a very positive and enthusiastic approach to childcare and to the children's overall development. She has a very good knowledge and understanding of early years guidance, such as the Birth to three matters framework, and uses her knowledge effectively to ensure children make excellent progress and achieve in all areas of their development. The childminder plans activities based on simple themes such as 'colours', 'shapes' and 'transport'. The current theme is 'textures', for which the children have collected leaves for leaf rubbing, they have made playdough, played with shaving foam and have made their own texture board. The childminder interacts well with the children, giving lots of attention, encouragement and motivation to play and enjoy activities. Children learn and develop their understanding of numbers, shapes and colours in age appropriate, educational and fun ways.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

For example, whilst painting, she reinforces colours with younger children, and encourages older children to try and write their names. When looking at a book about animals, the childminder reads out the names of the animals in the book and the children make the different animal sounds. The childminder then draws a picture of a spider for one child and then asks the child to count the legs. The child then tries to draw a new picture of a spider and laughs when the childminder pretends to be scared.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children thrive in the exciting range of activities and experiences offered to them. They regularly take part in messy play, cooking and art and craft activities, such as playdough, painting, papier mache, moulding sand and playing in shredded paper. The childminder also provides many opportunities for children to develop skills and increase their understanding of the world about them through varied trips, for example, taking children to the urban farm, Bushy Park, Wetlands

p.4

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 nature reserve and the local library. They have plenty of opportunities to mix with other children through visits to play centres, toddler groups and other childminders, which develops their ability to relate to a wider group of adults and peers.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminder's high regard for their individual needs. The childminder has a clear understanding of equal opportunities and ensures all children have equal access to the resources and activities available. Children feel good about themselves, because the childminder treats them with respect and as one of the family. They are learning to value diversity in society through a good range of resources including books and play materials that reflect positive images and a variety of cultures and abilities. Children also experience many trips out into the local community and celebrate festivals so that they feel a strong sense of belonging and learn to respect each other. For example, children listened to the story of the Chinese zodiac during Chinese New Year, they made pancake people during Mardi Gras and have made Mother's Day baskets.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's achievements are recognised and praised which builds their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder praises the children in their artwork and their efforts are displayed in the home. The childminder has realistic expectations and acts as a good role model, which encourages children to behave well. For example, she encourages children to say 'please' when asking for more fruit. Children begin to understand right and wrong though consistent boundaries, praise and the age appropriate methods the childminder uses to manage behaviour. Children are beginning to respect the needs of others, showing great concern and a wish to comfort the child who slipped on the floor.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder recognises and values the importance of developing and maintaining good relationships with the parents. The childminder has developed written policies and procedures to ensure parents are informed of the main aspects of her business, and they receive their own copy of these. There is a daily exchange of information with parents, which is supplemented by written diaries for younger children, ensuring they are kept well-informed of their child's day and achievements. The childminder also actively seeks parents' views about her practice so that she can continually upgrade the good quality service she provides for children. Parents are happy with the care provided and find the childminder to be incredibly accommodating, always caring and supportive. They comment that the childminder shows professionalism at all times and that she provides a loving, warm and fun environment which is an incredibly happy

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

yet grounded and controlled place to be.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is experienced, enthusiastic and enjoys her work with the children. She has a strong focus on ensuring children have fun, are stimulated and have access to a varied range of toys and activities to encourage their interests and promote their learning. Trips outside the home enhance the provision and extend children's play and learning experiences. The children are very settled and at ease within this well-organised environment. The atmosphere is one that is calm and happy and where children feel welcome. Required child ratios are maintained at all times.

p.5

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 quality of care which is offered to children, is enhanced through the childminder's commitment to continuous improvement and development. She regularly attends additional training to enable her to further develop the care she offers, and the service she provides. In addition, children benefit from the childminder's visits from her network coordinator and her contact with other childminders and toddler groups. The childminder has clear written policies and procedures in place that support the National Standards. These are shared with parents and used effectively to promote the well-being of the children. The childminder generally keeps good records and maintains confidentiality by ensuring they are secure. However, some weaknesses in the childminder's use of documentation have been identified, as she does not

p.5

Organisation

always record children's full names on her documents, and not all parents have given written consent for the childminder to seek emergency medical treatment. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.6

Improvements since the last inspection

The last inspection recommended that the childminder should develop her knowledge of notifiable contagious diseases. The childminder has now obtained a list of communicable diseases and includes this with her sickness policy to ensure parents are also fully informed of which illnesses are notifiable and prevent children from attending the setting.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.6

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 safety precautions by addressing the low level bolt on the toilet door, and by introducing measures to ensure children do not slip on the laminate floor • further improve organisation of documentation by ensuring all parents have provided consent for emergency medical treatment and that children's full names are recorded on the accident, medication and attendance records.

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 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.7