Balksbury Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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115852 Unique Reference Number 22 January 2008 Inspection date Mandy Mooney 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 1987. She lives with her husband and two adult children in a four bedroom house in Blackfen, in the Borough of Bexley. The home is within walking distance of local shops and schools. Children have access to the through-lounge, dining area and fully enclosed garden for play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years at any one time, of these only three may be under five years. There are currently two children under eight years on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder has a clear understanding about the importance of good hygiene practices and the home environment is clean, brought about by effective hygiene practices that protect children from illness and risks of cross infection, such as polishing and mopping the wooden floors on a daily basis and wiping down surfaces with anti-bacterial spray. Children are

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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 encouraged to have effective personal hygiene routines, such as, regular hand washing, before eating, after using the toilet and playing in the garden. Furthermore, they learn the importance of this as the childminder reinforces the message of stopping germs from spreading. Children's health is well promoted because the childminder implements clear procedures for dealing with accidents and for the administration of medication and has a clear agreement with parents that unwell or infectious children cannot be looked after. This promotes the good health of all children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in a good range of physical activity which contributes to a healthy lifestyle, this includes, walking to and from school every day, using the garden and the local park. This ensures they get regular exercise and lots of fresh air. Children benefit from a balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs, they are given regular meals, drinks and snacks that are in adequate quantities for their needs and comply with dietary needs. The childminder provides a home cooked meal every day; this includes dishes such as, casseroles, curries and pasta dishes, which are all firm favourites with the children. These are served with a variety of vegetables. Children enjoy healthy snacks and drinks, such as, fruit and water, which are readily available to them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a bright, welcoming and well maintained environment. The childminder identifies and minimises risks for children in the spacious home. This means they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and to maintaining children’s safety both inside and outside the home, such as, having a clear fire evacuation procedure in place which is discussed with children. This ensures the children know how to keep themselves safe. Also, when travelling in the car, the childminder has written consent for children to travel in the vehicle and she ensures children wear their seatbelts and have appropriate car seats.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children’s choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Toys and resources are stored at low level to enable children to make choices and also to learn to be responsible for tidying up when they have finished. The childminder safeguards and promotes children’s welfare and has all the required procedures and documents in place. For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a secure understanding of child protection procedures in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children develop close and caring relationships with the childminder, who is very attentive to their individual needs. Children settle well and freely explore the activities and opportunities available to them. This is well supported with appropriate resources, such as, dot to dot books and role play equipment for making tea and cakes for the childminder and inspector. Children are confident with the childminder, they enjoy solo play where they use their imagination well and equally they enjoy the company of the childminder who plays alongside them, for example, when playing board games. The opportunities provided are based on the children's interests and the childminder's knowledge of the different age groups being cared for. Although the

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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 childminder is not caring for young children at the moment, she has some understanding of the Birth to three matters framework, however she acknowledges this is an area that requires more exploration to ensure the benefits to children are evident.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are included and are encouraged to have a positive view of the wider community. The childminder endeavours to ensure that all children's individual needs are met. This is achieved by getting as much information from parents to meet children's all round developmental needs. The childminder gets to know the children, their ways and personalities. She gives each child individual, quality time and acknowledges their strengths, differences and similarities. This helps children feel valued. Children have access to a sufficient range of resources to reflect diversity, including a range of books and the childminder uses every day opportunities, such as, when cooking and eating different foods to enhance and reinforce children's understanding of people in the community. The childminder is aware that some children have specific needs and is proactive in ensuring that appropriate action can be taken when such a child is identified

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Helping children make a positive contribution

or admitted to the provision. Steps are taken to promote the welfare and development of the child within the setting, in partnership with the parents and other relevant parties and although she has limited experience in caring for such children, she demonstrates a positive attitude to meeting the needs of all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children respond to childminder's consistent, calm approach to managing behaviour. Children learn right from wrong because the childminder is fair and ensures children understand why certain behaviour is unacceptable. A strong emphasis is placed on teaching children good social skills, such as, sharing and taking turns. Children have good manners as they routinely say 'please' and 'thank you'. Good behaviour is acknowledged with lots of praise and encouragement and this contributes to the children developing good self esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from effective communication between their parents and the childminder. Time is given each day so that the childminder and parents can exchange information relating to the children. Clear written information, such as, written agreements, children's details and required consents are in place to ensure consistency between the parents and the childminder's home. Parents are aware of the childminder's responsibility to promote the safety and wellbeing of the children and policies and procedures for the safe management of the provision are in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by an experienced and motivated childminder, who is keen to provide a good quality of care for them. She keeps herself up-to-date with advancements and changes in childcare through her link to the Local Authority and information from Ofsted. The children feel at home and at ease in the well-organised environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder effectively uses the policies and procedures to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. Required ratios are maintained and an accurate attendance record, reflecting the actual times of arrival and departure is in place. A certificate a registration is displayed and this contributes to ensuring the conditions of registration are complied with at all times. Records relating to the provision

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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 are in place and are stored in a confidential manner. The provider meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

One recommendation for good practice was agreed at the last inspection. The childminder agreed to increase toys and resources to promote equality of opportunity. The childminder has purchased books to reflect diversity and the range of toys and resources are selected to meet the individual needs of the children attending.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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): • further develop knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework

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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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