Sir William Borlase's Grammar School

Inspection report for early years provision

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136781 Unique Reference Number 22 February 2008 Inspection date Laura Brewer 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 1990. She lives with her two children aged 16 and four years. The property is a house, situated in a residential area of Bromley. The home is accessible to transport services, parks, schools and shops.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

All areas of the home are used for childminding, except for two of the bedrooms. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family have no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. Currently she has provides out of school care for one child aged six years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has a current first aid certificate. She has completed various training courses relevant to childminding practices, including the DCP (Developing Childminding Practice).

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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 have opportunities to learn about the importance of good hygiene practices through everyday routines such as washing their hands after using the toilet and before meals. This reduces the risk of cross contamination. Children are well nourished and benefit from balanced, nutritional meals that ensure their dietary needs are met consistently throughout the day. The children are often involved in the meal preparation, which provides them with many opportunities to talk about healthy eating issues to develop their understanding of what foods are good for us.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in a varied range of activities that contribute to their good health and physical development, such as vigorously playing in garden. They frequently visit local parks to develop balancing and climbing abilities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder's effective implementation of her written sick child policy informs parents of her clear procedures and so helps to stop the spread of infection. Children's health needs are met well as the childminder has developed comprehensive systems to support her work.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has organised her home well to meet children's needs effectively. Pictures and posters are displayed to help create a welcoming environment for children and parents. Children are able to move freely and safely around the home because the childminder takes effective steps to reduce potential risks. Children can play safely because they have access to a wide range of safe and suitable play materials that are appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder assists children in taking responsibility for their own safety. For example, they frequently have discussions about road safety issues and potential risks when outside of the setting. However, at home, fire drills have not been practised with children to help them extend their learning further.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected, the childminder recognises her responsibility to the children in her care and understands the procedures she should follow if concerned about the welfare of a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident, sociable and settled due to the positive relationships established with the childminder. They are provided with good opportunities to be independent and make their own choices about what they want to play with. The children relate well to the childminder because she supports them well and is interested in their chosen activity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The daily routine includes visits to a range of interesting places such as garden centres and parks which provides children with good opportunities to stimulate their interest in the local environment. Outdoor play, fresh air and exercise play a very important part in the daily routine.

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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 gives children's learning high priority every day and she uses all opportunities to promote their skills, such as developing mathematical concepts and linking sounds to letters. The children have access to a wide range of stimulating activities to develop their learning. For example, they regularly make cakes, explore the garden for mini beasts and experiment with dough and glue.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and their individual needs are met because the childminder spends time getting to know them well. This enables them to feel at home in the setting. The childminder works closely with the parents to identify the children's likes, dislikes and routines to ensure they settle easily and experience consistent care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents have clear information about the childminder and the setting as her portfolio displays clear policies and procedures. The childminder promotes a gradual settling-in process to ensure that children are comfortable within the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well because of the good relationships fostered. The childminder's effective use of praise and encouragement builds children's self-esteem. Children are aware of the expectations of the setting, for example, they spontaneously tidy up one activity before starting another. The childminder ensures that children learn about diversity and provides them with a range a play resources with positive images of race, gender, culture and disability to develop positive views. Children's awareness of diversity is further developed through joining in music and movement sessions using different types of music from around the world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards caring for children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is aware of the appropriate levels of support required to promote children's welfare and development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The effective organisation of the setting enables children to feel at ease and at home. This allows children to develop confidence and to be independent. Play resources are stored to enable children to access equipment freely which allows them to initiate their own play and learning.

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Organisation

Procedures followed work well in practice to keep children healthy and safeguard their welfare. The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to wanting to improve her practices by attending various training courses. This supports her work and ensures she is kept up to date with current guidelines.

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Organisation

Children's needs are well met because of the good relationships and communication systems set up with the parents. Parents are consistently informed about their child's day and the care provided. Documentation is well maintained and kept confidentially. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to ensure that children have an appropriate range of resources that promote anti-discriminatory practice, record children's hours of attendance and request written consent from parents to transport children in a vehicle and to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder now provides children with a good range of play resources to promote anti-discriminatory practice which assists children to learn positively about diversity. She has all of the required parental consent records in place to ensure parents wishes are followed and records the hours of children's attendance to meet regulatory requirements.

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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 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 fire drills are regularly practised with 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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