Bailey's Court Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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131225 Unique Reference Number 07 March 2008 Inspection date Patricia Joan Latham 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 1996 and lives with her husband and two children, who are now young adults, in a residential road close to the centre of Buckingham. Childminding takes place on the whole of the ground floor and upstairs two rooms are used for sleep purposes only. There is a garden available for children's outside play. Her home is within walking distance of local shops, pre-school and schools. The family has one pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is currently caring for six children, most on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s health is maintained and their physical well-being promoted. The childminder minimises the risk of cross infection by excluding children when they have a contagious illness and by following good hygienic practice. All areas the children use are kept clean and children

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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 are encouraged to wash their hands frequently. The childminder is trained to deal with medical emergencies and maintains all medical records accurately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive nutritious food and regular drinks. The childminder provides meals as requested and has a sample menu to show to parents. Parents provide a packed lunch and the childminder provides snacks and a hot evening meal if required. The childminder obtains information regarding any allergies a child might have and caters for all dietary needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to a garden area, and are taken on regular walks, to ensure they get plenty of exercise and fresh air. The childminder has suitable outside toys to help children develop and practise physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and welcoming environment. The rooms children use are comfortable and well maintained. The playroom, where most of the resources are stored, has wall displays of the children’s work and photos of those minded. This makes the room bright and inviting. All exits from the premises are kept secure and the childminder carries out daily checks to make sure there are no hazards present which place children at risk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to good quality toys and resources, most of which they can easily access themselves. The childminder selects a range of toys for younger children to use and rotates this to provide variety. All resources are cleaned and checked regularly to ensure they are safe to use. Toys cover all areas of play and are suitable for all ages minded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are closely supervised and appropriate safety equipment is used as needed. The childminder has safety rules for children to follow, such as no running indoors. When going for walks children are taught to cross roads safely and to keep close to the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is safeguarded. The childminder updates her knowledge of child protection issues and ensures parents understand her responsibility to refer any concerns she has regarding children’s care. She never leaves minded children unsupervised with unchecked adults.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children take part in a wide variety of stimulating activities which ensure they develop necessary skills and enjoy their time with the childminder. She plans activities in advance and ensures she has the resources available to ensure children can fully participate. A daily routine is followed, but this is flexible enough to allow children to be able to follow their own personal routines, such as sleep times. Activities offered enable children to progress in all areas of learning and are presented in such a way as to engage children and make learning fun. The childminder involves herself in children’s play and is skilful in extending activities and introducing a variety of experiences. For example, when following the theme of winter children made ice cubes so that they could explore how water changes as it freezes. The childminder added vegetable colouring to some so that children could paint with them as the cubes thawed and turned back

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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 The childminder meets all children’s care needs very well. She is attentive to their needs at all times and forms a close relationship with them to make sure they are happy and relaxed in her care. She gives lots of cuddles, talks and plays with them and helps them to feel secure.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children’s self-esteem is promoted and they feel valued. The childminder gives lots of praise and positive attention. Through planned activities children develop a respect for cultures different from their own; and by enabling all children to take part in activities the childminder raises children’s awareness of differing abilities. Children are taught to be polite and to follow good codes of conduct which will enable them to play well together and remain happy.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is able to give children who may have a learning difficulty or disability any additional support they may need. She has a good understanding of normal development and able to work with parents if a need is identified and extra care needed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder forms a close working relationship with parents and they rate her service very highly. She provides detailed information regarding the care given and ensures parents feel comfortable with leaving their child with her before minding begins. The childminder ensures parents receive detailed information about what children have been doing throughout the day and makes time for private discussion whenever needed. She provides parents with copies of all policies and procedures that she follows; however, the complaints procedure does not give parents the contact details of Ofsted.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder offers a very professional service which is well organised. She follows clear policies and procedures to ensure children are safe, remain healthy and developing appropriately. The childminder has relevant qualifications and updates her knowledge regularly to ensure she maintains standards. She keeps Ofsted informed of any relevant information and any changes there may have been in her household.

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Organisation

All documentation is maintained in an organised fashion and all records, such as children’s attendance, is recorded accurately. The childminder obtains relevant information regarding the children minded and keeps this securely in a locked cupboard. This ensures children’s details remain confidential.

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Organisation

Overall, 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 develop the use of written plans. This she has done which enables her to ensure a broad range of activities are offered which ensure children’s progress in all areas.

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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

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 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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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): • ensure the written complaints procedure contains the contact details of Ofsted.

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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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