Bohunt Horsham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 147187 Inspection date 04 October 2005 Inspector Gulnaz Hassan

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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 2000. She lives with her husband and three sons in a three bedroom house in the London Borough of Barnet. A dedicated playroom is used for childminding and a fully enclosed garden is available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding five children. The childminder drives to a school in a neighbouring borough to take and collect children. She attends the local library and parent and toddler groups and takes children to the park.

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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 are cared for in a warm and clean home where the childminder has excellent cleaning and hygiene routines that protect the children in her care from infection and cross-contamination. Children learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care such as hand washing by following the childminder's good examples and through discussion. Children benefit from a nutritious and balanced diet that meets their cultural and religious needs very well. The childminder works with the parents to offer suitable and varied meals that also appeal to children's taste and preferences. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet and know for instance, that biscuits are weekly rather than daily treats. Children have easy access to fresh drinking water and older children enjoy helping themselves to water from a water dispenser. Children receive regular opportunities to develop their physical heath through regular

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Helping children to be healthy

outdoor exercise and play, for example children enjoy walking to and from the park. Children are given daily opportunities to enjoy a range of outdoor play equipment in the garden, promoting their physical development and coordination skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have access to a designated play area that is bright and welcoming and where they are able to play and have quiet times according to their needs. Children independently select from a wide range of toys and resources, that are of good quality, well organised and stored at low levels so that they are easily accessible, encouraging choice and independence. Children are safely cared for as the childminder has taken positive steps to identify risks and remove potential hazards in the home, ensuring that children can play in a safe and secure environment. Children are familiar with procedures for fire drills as the childminder ensures that she practises with the children on a regular basis. Children understand why fire drills are important for their safety as the childminder offers good explanations. The childminder is vigilant about outdoor and road safety and she helps children to learn about keeping themselves safe as they discuss and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

practise good road safety when they go out. Children's welfare and wellbeing are safeguarded as the childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues, she knows the procedures for recording and reporting concerns well.

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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 provision is good. Children are very settled and happy to attend the provision because the childminder values them as individuals and builds a warm and trusting relationship with each child. The childminder knows the children very well and provides a consistent routine that meets all their needs. Children enjoy a good range of activities at home that are stimulating and that help children make progress in all areas of their learning and development. A good balance of adult and child initiated games at home help children to make progress in areas such as language and speech development. Children benefit from outings to the park, where they enjoy fresh air and extend their physical development by playing outdoors. The childminder continues to develop her practice with younger children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

ensuring that she has a good understanding of Birth to three matters and she has obtained the materials and resources necessary to promote this aspect of her provision.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children build positive images of the world they live in as the childminder promotes this aspect of her provision exceptionally well. Children have access to a very good range of activities and resources that reflect diversity and positive images. Children's religious and cultural dietary needs are very well met, as the childminder has developed a creative range of meals and snacks that reflect their requirements very well. The childminder has worked very effectively to ensure that she has a good understanding of children's individual, cultural and religious needs. This helps children to develop a strong identity and to feel good about themselves, their family and others. As a result, children are gaining in self-esteem, self-assurance and confidence. Children behave well as the childminder provides consistent boundaries and offers lots of praise and encouragement to children. Children are developing a strong sense

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Helping children make a positive contribution

of right from wrong, they are learning to take turns and share. They develop positive relationships with the childminder and they learn to be caring and considerate to each other. Children's needs are met very well through the sharing of good written information about children's individual needs as well as through the daily verbal exchange of information between the childminder and parents. The childminder ensures that she works effectively with parents by maintaining a friendly but professional relationship which promotes children's wellbeing and development in all areas.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. 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 Children's welfare, care and development are very well met as the childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of caring for young children. She is well organised, warm and affectionate towards the children who are relaxed and very happy in her care. The childminder is keen to develop her knowledge and skills to benefit the children, for example by attending Birth to three matters and Child Protection training. Children's overall care, learning and welfare are enhanced by the information shared between parents and the childminder. All relevant records and documentation necessary are accurately maintained with very good detail. There are currently no policies and procedures available to further enhance her practice and to provide parents with written information about her service, the childminder has agreed to

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop the range of resources to reflect and promote diversity and to provide parents with information about how to make a complaint. Children have access to a good range of resources that reflect and promote diversity and parents have been given written information about how to make a complaint about the service.

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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): • develop a range of policies and procedures for health (including accident and sickness procedures), managing behaviour and child protection and share these with parents.

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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 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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