Brinsworth Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 136301 Inspection date 28 April 2005 Inspector Sue Hill

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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 1996. She lives with her husband and 3 children aged 10, 15 and 17 years in Downend, Bristol. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children and she is currently minding five children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group and takes children on outings.

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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 The family has two cats. She belongs to the National Childminding Association. The childminder is a member of an approved childminding network She has the NVQ level 3 certificate in childcare and education, and is working towards her accreditation to enable her to take funded children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities to encourage their physical development. There are regular visits to the park and playgrounds to develop their physical skills, which are extended as the childminder has a good awareness of the children's different ages and capabilities. Children's good health is promoted as they are well cared for in a warm, clean home. They are encouraged to learn about personal hygiene and personal care, for example, through an activity using hand washing machines which shows the germs on the children's hands. The childminder's clear sickness policy ensures children are protected from infection. Children are developing an understanding of healthy eating through planned activities such as creating collages of healthy foods enjoyed by the children. The childminder provides healthy meals and snacks and offers drinks regularly. The childminder works with parents to support healthy eating, and ensures that special

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe as they move around freely in a spacious, well maintained home where risks have been identified and minimised. Children learn to protect themselves, for example through learning about road safety and not talking to strangers. They can independently access activities from a good range of safe and interesting toys and equipment. The range of toys available is suitable for the age and stage of the children being cared for. The childminder has all the required documents in place to ensure that the children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted, for example she has a good understanding of child protection and knows the contents of the Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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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. The children are well settled in the childminder's house. They are happily and actively occupied. Children relate well to each other and socialise with other children through regular attendance at local toddler groups. They have planned activities that are suitable for all the children, for example using playdough, the older child cutting and shaping, the younger child exploring texture. The childminder has begun to assess younger children, but is not using this in her planning for their development. She has begun training to use the Birth to Three Matters framework. She is working towards being an accredited childminder, and is using the foundation stage for older children. Children are making good progress in the setting. Records of children's achievements are shared with parents and are used

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to inform future planning for older children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a good range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world, enabling the children to learn positively about differences. Awareness of their own environment is developed through local visits, for example, to the park and soft play. Children are secure as their individual needs are met well. The childminder follows their normal daily routine as discussed with their parents. The children show care and concern for each other and play together harmoniously. They behave very well, encouraged by the childminder's use of positive praise. Children respond well with spoken words and gestures to what they see, hear taste and feel.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and at ease as the childminder organises her time to give the children individual attention. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. They are shared with parents to keep them well informed about the service and their child's activities. The childminder attends relevant training courses regularly, using the knowledge gained to support the children's learning. Overall the setting meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection, the childminder has improved the children's safety. There is a secure fence around the garden, so that children cannot leave the premises. She has purchased a second fire blanket, and now has one in place at both ends of the kitchen, so that they are easily reached whichever way the kitchen is approached.

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Improvements since the last inspection

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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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): • extend assessment and planning for the younger children to develop their learning.

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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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