Bovingdon Primary Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 136857 Inspection date 08 December 2005 Inspector Kay Bateson

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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 was registered in 1998. She lives with her husband and their 3 children aged 14 ,9 and 5 years. The family live in a residential area in Shortlands, Bromley. Parks, schools and shops are within easy walking distance. Minded children have access to all rooms on the ground floor, and facilities for sleep or rest periods are provided upstairs. There are downstairs washing and toilet facilities. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The childminder includes regular visits to local drop sessions for childminders, toddler groups, parks, library, and dancing sessions. The childminder walks to local schools

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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 to take and collect children. The family has a pet cat and hamster. The childminder is a member of National Childminding Association and attends the Bromley network sessions, trainings and workshops. She is presently a support childminder for the Bromley Childminding Association and a support childminder for Bromley Mencap Association. The childminder is currently registered to care for a maximum of 4 children under 8 years at any one time. She has 5 children under 8 years and 1 child over 8 years on roll all attending on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene practices and personal care, through daily routines. The childminder gently reminds young children to wash hands after painting and before helping with the preparation of their snack. Young children automatically wash hands after using the toilet and are beginning to understand why it is important when they talk with the childminder. This heightens the children’s awareness of the importance of good practice and keeping themselves free from the spread of infection. Children benefit from a healthy diet, of fruit snacks and daily balanced meals. The children are fully involved in the preparation of their snacks and meals as well as having other opportunities for cooking with the childminder. The children have healthy snacks and readily accessible drinks of water or fresh fruit juice at all times. This

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Helping children to be healthy

helps young children’s learning about the important benefits of good eating habits and water has to their growing bodies. They eat well and are developing good social skills, as well as table manners as they sit together at the table for their meals. Children enjoy a good range of opportunities for physical play. They can use a variety of outdoor equipment with sufficient space to run about in the garden, as well as plenty of space indoors for playing on the floor with toys. They benefit from additional visits to local parks for extra physical play of running, playing ball and climbing on large play equipment. They walk daily to and from school and join in with dancing sessions after school with the childminder’s children. Children are developing good hand control skills through activities planned with the childminder. This is apparent when children paint heart decorations, sprinkle glitter, fill a tube with spoonfuls of rice

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Helping children to be healthy

and spread a slice of bread with margarine.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe, secure, welcoming home. There is plenty of space inside and

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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 out for active play and quiet rest periods. They play with good quality toys, use suitable and safe equipment to meet their individual needs. The childminder pays good attention to protecting them from possible hazards in and outdoors; such as, reminding them about sharp knives before using them together, scissors when cutting, and to sit carefully on chairs at the table. She ensures all required training in First aid is renewed, up to date and keeps accurate signed records of any accident and administering medication to children. Children learn about fire safety and the evacuation procedure through the childminder talking to them about what to do if the alarm sounds. They have yet to practise it together on a regular basis reinforcing the importance of keeping safe in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the event of a fire happening. Children learn about how to keep themselves safe when out, as the childminder follows firm procedures. She reminds them about road safety when walking to and from school. She insists they hold hands, wear safety belts when riding in the car or in a buggy, and encourages parents to dress children brightly when going on an outing. Children’s welfare is safe-guarded and promoted by the childminder’s clear understanding of matters relating to child protection, how and who to contact for advice. She has firm arrangements and procedures in place in the event of an emergency situation. She carries identification cards with contact details on her person when out, has written permission from parents to seek emergency treatment or advice and has arrangements for emergency cover with another childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children become very involved and interested for a good length of time in their chosen activity. The childminder supports them well by providing a wide selection of toys and materials that interest, stimulate, and challenge the wide ranges of ages of children. This is apparent when they carefully paint and decorate heart baskets for Christmas, also when they plan to make a shaker, using a tube, rice, paper and glitter pens. Children are able to access all the materials required themselves, find puzzles and games when interest changes. They enjoy using the software package on the computer and are able to operate the mouse controls with skill. They are able to make good choices from the wide range of toys, equipment and activities that are organised by the childminder. She regularly rotates toys, which provide children with variety and renewed interest. They benefit from the extra activities the childminder

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

provides and organises for them. For example, dancing sessions, rhyme time at the library, toddler groups, visits to parks and Christmas Tree Farm. This ensures children receive a balance of opportunities and learning experiences, which also supports the development of important socialising skills. Children are keen to share information and talk readily about what they are doing. This is clear when the child talks about the colours of paint being like the colours

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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 seen on flags and how she wants to make a shaker. The childminder sits listening intently to the conversations that occur, joining in with reinforcing new vocabulary and skilfully extending the child’s thinking skills in a fun way as they play together. Such as when trying to remember the difference between gold and silver colours, working out how much rice to put into the shaker and how many slices of cucumber to eat.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very happy and contented in the childminder’s home. They are valued, respected and treated as individuals. They learn about the wider world when they play with toys that reflect positive images of people and disability. They also share books and talk to the childminder about different traditions from her own cultural background. They are making good firm relationships with each other and the childminder. This is apparent in the warm, mutual, affection observed between them when playing and working with the childminder. This ensures children feel safe and emotionally secure whilst away from their parents. Children’s growing independence is encouraged and supported by the childminder allowing them to master self help skills. They know where to find toys and equipment to play with and are able to make choices throughout the day. They are encouraged to find materials they want to use to make with, take themselves to the toilet, prepare

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Helping children make a positive contribution

snacks and make their lunch alongside the childminder. Children behave well as they are cared for in a calm, pleasant and child organised environment. They receive consistent praise and encouragement from the childminder that encourages them to demonstrate good social skills. For example, children automatically use please, thank you and excuse me. They are fully occupied, involved and stimulated throughout the day preventing them from becoming bored and disruptive. Parents are very happy with the care provided by the childminder. They benefit from the good working relationships fostered by the childminder, as she keeps contractual and all written agreements signed and regularly reviewed. She shares verbal information about her practice and procedures at the initial meeting with parents. She intends to review her current practice so that parents receive a written copy of her provision. This will ensure parents are clearly informed about important procedures

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Helping children make a positive contribution

that the childminder will follow. This ensures the children are well looked after according to their wishes.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel secure and at home due to the way the childminder organises the play space for them, with areas for quiet and active play. They have a balance of outdoor and indoor play experiences, with additional activities organised by the childminder to broaden their experiences, such as trips to parks, libraries and ‘drop-in’ groups.

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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 The children benefit from the childminder’s sound child care knowledge and experience which she puts into practise on a daily basis. She pays particular attention to attending training and workshops, increasing her knowledge in special needs and ‘Birth to Three Matters’ framework. She is presently working towards becoming a support childminder for Mencap. The childminder shows good commitment to childminding and the care of young children as she helps other local childminders through her role as a support childminder. Her well organised portfolio, well written policies, procedures and detailed records all demonstrate how very well she organises her business to provide good quality care for children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was required to ensure children had a range of activities and resources that promote areas of disability and special needs. The childminder provides a good range of toys and resources that support images of disability and special needs. She has attended training to become a support childminder for children with disabilities and special needs. Therefore she is able to fully support the parents and their children with special needs; providing a good standard of care and learning activities that will support their individual abilities and skills.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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): • develop current practice of informing parents about important procedures and

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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 information related to childminding services.

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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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