Beacon Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 137982 Inspection date 21 September 2005 Inspector Mauvene Burke

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1998. She lives with her husband, two daughters aged 17 and 19 and a son aged 15. They live in a three bedroom, mid-terraced house in the London Borough of Merton, it is close to a railway station, local shops and schools. The ground floor is used for minding with a sitting room/play room, kitchen/diner and downstairs toilet. The main bedroom and son's bedroom on the first floor is used for children's rest. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time

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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 and is currently minding five children under eight, some full time and some part time. Two of the children attend before and after school. Her husband occasionally works as her assistant. The family have two cats. The childminder takes the children to local parent and toddler groups, parks and the library on a regular basis and occasionally on outings further a field. She is a member of the National Childminders Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and clean environment. They participate in appropriate personal hygiene routines such as washing hands before and after food. The childminder has mostly developed effective procedures to ensure that children are protected from the risk of illness and infection, however, not enough attention is given to ensure that children are fully protected from infection because the nappy changing mat is not always cleaned between individual children being changed. The mat is however cleaned each time before it is put away. Children have regular opportunities to play outside and their physical development is sufficiently promoted as they move around freely in the available space both indoors and out and by using the swings, slide and pedal cars in the garden. Children have recently been involved in their own "Sports Day" where they were able to run, play hoops and other sports

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Helping children to be healthy

day games. The dietary needs of the children are generally well met. The childminder takes into account the wishes of parents to ensure meals meet the individual needs of all children. Children request drinks throughout the daily routine, and do so confidently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has a good awareness of safety and uses her knowledge to identify and minimise risks to children. As a result, children are able to move around the home safely and independently. The childminder has developed systems to safely evacuate the house in an emergency and the children have been involved in practising the fire drill, extending their knowledge of safety within the home. Children accept safety measures, for example the childminder is vigilant about older children keeping small pieces of toys away from the babies and the older children happily move small pieces out of their way. Children independently select activities and resources from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment that are clean and safe. Toys are stored appropriately and in age and stage of development.

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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 Children's welfare is further safeguarded as the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a basic knowledge of child protection, recording and reporting procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in this well organised environment and have a good awareness of the daily routines. The organised environment provides ample opportunities for children to initiate and extend their own play as they enjoy making choices from a range of toys which interest them. Children relate well to the childminder who has a good rapport with them, i.e. she interacts verbally with them and gives the occasional hug when required, this contributes to their sense of well-being. Children are becoming independent, for example by selecting their own resources and have plenty of opportunities to socialise with other children through regular attendance at children's groups. Older children have had the opportunity to go fishing - they are able to relax after school, watch a limited amount of TV and choose from age appropriate activities such as art and craft materials for free

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

creativity. The childminder keeps a photo album of activities the children have been involved in, these are shared with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are being met as the childminder follows a daily routine for playing, eating and sleeping and follows parents wishes with regard to food preparation. Children are gaining some understanding of the wider world through their outings to places such as Godstone Park, museums and are gaining some knowledge of their local community through trips to the local market. Children are learning to value and respect differences as the childminder provides a good range of positive images and resources available to reflect diversity. Children behave well, as appropriate and sensitive methods of behaviour management are used. Children are beginning to learn right from wrong from explanations given by the childminder and are being encouraged to share and to take turns. Effective partnerships with parent's ensure that children receive consistency in the care that they are given. Parents are given on request, copies of the childminder's

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Helping children make a positive contribution

policies and procedures. Parents, past and present regard the care that the childminder offers as being of a very high standard.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The children feel at home and at ease with the well organised environment, they get

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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 on well with each other. Indoor and outdoor space is laid out to maximise play opportunities for children. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Children stay with the childminder for long periods of time - often starting when they are babies and continuing into school-age. Comprehensive policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. The childminder regularly attends training relating to child care which helps to further enhance the service she provides. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to seek written permission from parents to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment, this has now been achieved. The childminder was also asked to ensure that the cats bowls were made inaccessible to minded children, this too has been achieved. As a result, children's welfare is being safeguarded.

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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): • improve nappy changing arrangements to minimise the spread of infection

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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