Branston Church of England Infant Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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144122 Unique Reference Number 04 December 2007 Inspection date Bridget Copson 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 satisfactory. 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 1994. She lives with her husband and two sons aged 16 and 19 years in Ferndown, Dorset. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. The childminder makes use of the nearby park for outdoor activities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. She is currently minding six children under eight, as well as children over eight years, all of whom only attend after school during the term times. The family keeps five cats.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for within a clean and hygienic environment in which the childminder has some systems in place to protect them from the risk of cross-infection. For example, regular house work routines and hand washing. The childminder also has effective systems in place to ensure the pets do not pose a risk to children's health. Children are supported in managing their own personal hygiene through hand washing routines. However, some children use hand

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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 wipes after using the toilet or before eating instead of using the wash hand basin. This does not re-enforce good hand washing practice and further prevent the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with sweet biscuits as a snack on arrival from school with fresh fruit also available. However, most children choose biscuits and are not encouraged to choose the nutritious option to promote healthy lifestyles. They have access to drinks at all times to ensure they do not get thirsty. Children have access to some physical play provision outside to promote their fitness and to allow them to let off steam after school.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health, medical and dietary needs are met appropriately by the childminder through documentation kept. For example, written records of any special dietary needs and accidents, incidents and medication administered, which parents sign for consistency of care. She holds a first aid certificate and keeps a first aid kit at home to support her in meeting children's needs in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is assured in all areas of the provision. The childminder has effective measures in place indoors and outside to protect children. Children learn about keeping safe through the house rules and expectations, such as no running indoors, not answering the door and no shutting internal doors. They learn about road safety on walks and also practise the emergency evacuation procedure to support them in responding appropriately in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for within a well-maintained premises which is organised effectively to allow them to play and relax freely and safely in all areas. They access good quality toys independently from the resources set out and are confident to find other things for themselves. This ensures they can play undisturbed with their chosen activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded effectively by the childminder who has a good understanding of her role and the child protection procedures involved. She also keeps records and documentation to support her in protecting children, such as a visitors book, existing injury records, accurate attendance times and details of any alternative adults to collect children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children arrive happy from school and settle into their chosen activities after a drink and snack. For example, two friends chose to play electronic games together, while others make Christmas cards around the dining room table. Children communicate openly and confidently with each other and the childminder. They talk about their school day and laugh and tease each other about events. They talk about what they are making and move around the rooms freely to find friends to chat with.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have access to different craft resources. Activities are suggested by the childminder, but alternative resources are close by to promote their own ideas. They also choose games and puzzles, constructional activities and electronic games and some relax in front of the television to listen to music. Many children only attend for short periods of time. To promote their sense of belonging and to keep them interested, their unfinished work is left out for them to complete next time they attend.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for equally and fairly by the childminder who encourages them to treat each other with respect and to share popular activities to ensure they are all included. Their individual needs are met appropriately through records and agreements from parents and providing activities according to their interests. The childminder is aware of the need to provide any further resources to support any additional needs for a child in her care. Children know where to put their own possessions, where to find drinks and snacks and find activities easily for themselves. This demonstrates they have a sound sense of belonging in the childminder's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are aware of what is expected of them within the provision through learning the house rules. For example, no running, bullying or shouting. They are encouraged to take some responsibility through managing their own behaviour and correcting others appropriately. For example, they negotiate sharing and turn taking with each other and show good manners. Any issues are managed through discussion, re-visiting expectations and encouraging children to discuss issues with parents on collection. They are highlighted to any potential issues by the childminder to prevent incidents and to promote a positive environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has established suitable partnerships with parents. They are provided with a 'new parent pack' detailing some examples of house rules, activities, snacks, records used and business arrangements. Parents complete records, contracts and consent sheets for most areas of care. They are kept informed through discussion at the end of the day and a written note regarding any specific issues from school. However, parents are not informed of the complaints procedure. This is due to the childminder's lack of knowledge of the required complaints procedure and not having a system in place for recording complaints. This is a breach of regulation. However, she has not received any complaints to date.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has updated her knowledge and skills in some areas to support her in meeting children's needs. For example, safeguarding children, first aid, organisation and training linked to the outcomes for children. She ensures all members of her household are suitable and does not allow anyone else unsupervised access to minded children. As a result, children are protected effectively within her home. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

Children benefit from a well-organised family home which offers them three separate play areas for quiet activities and relaxing, table top and creative play and a room for games and floor play. The childminder has some systems in place to keep up to date. However, this is not effective in ensuring she is meeting all the regulations.

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Organisation

Children's records and relating documentation is kept easily accessible to the childminder. Information is stored securely to ensure confidentiality is maintained with most information. She updates her information for parents to ensure they are informed of the care she provides in most areas.

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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 develop knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures. Also, to ensure good hygiene practices are in place regarding hand washing procedures and to make sure hazardous substances are inaccessible to the children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has attended a course in safeguarding children. As a result, she has developed a good knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures to support her in protecting children. She provides children with anti-bacterial liquid soap and separate hand towels and requests they wash hands on arrival, after visiting the toilet and before having a snack. However, not all children are encouraged to follow this practice effectively. The childminder keeps all hazardous substances out of children's reach to ensure they do not pose a risk to children's safety.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • encourage children to follow more effective hand washing routines to prevent the spread of infection • improve knowledge of the required complaints procedure and develop systems for the recording of complaints, in line with regulations.

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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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