Bisham Church of England Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 144249 Inspection date 12 December 2005 Inspector Dinah Round

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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 satisfactory. 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 registered in 1994. She lives with her partner, and 3 children aged 3, 12 and 20 years. They live in a house in Three Legged Cross, Verwood, Dorset. Childminding is carried out on the ground floor of the property only. Children have access to a large enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years. She currently cares for three children, on a part-time basis. The family have a dog, chickens and ducks. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association, and the local childminding group.

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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 satisfactory. Children are developing an awareness of healthy eating. They benefit from being provided with a variety of snacks which include fruit and biscuits. Drinks are accessible throughout the day. Children are learning about the importance of following a healthy diet through topics and discussion with the childminder. For example, they visited the local supermarket to buy fruit and enjoyed making fruit kebabs. Children's individual dietary needs are discussed with parents, to make sure their requirements are followed. Children's awareness of personal hygiene is raised through the effective daily routines. They learn to wash their hands before cooking activities or after using the toilet, using the liquid soap and paper towels provided. This helps to minimise the risk of cross-infection. However, hygiene practices are not consistently maintained, as a carpet where children play was covered in dog hairs. Accident records are

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Helping children to be healthy

maintained, although written parental permission to seek emergency treatment or advice is not obtained. Children are provided with regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise, with the childminder making full use of the garden in the summer months. They enjoy visits to the local play parks and forest, and toddler gym sessions for the younger children. This promotes their physical development and helps children learn new skills. Children also enjoy visits to places of interest that provide fun experiences, for example, Alice in Wonderland and Honey Brook Farm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's safety is generally well maintained. They are beginning to learn about keeping themselves safe. For example, the childminder reminds children to sit carefully on the chair. Most safety equipment is in place within the home, for example, smoke alarms on both levels and stair gates to prevent access to the kitchen and stairs. However, some potential risks are still accessible to children. Children are kept safe on outings through the childminder's effective procedures. These include use of reins for younger children, choosing suitable venues, and maintaining close supervision at all times. Clear fire safety plans have been developed and children are involved in practices to ensure they know what to do in an emergency situation. Children have access to a satisfactory selection of good quality toys and play provision, including both indoor and outdoor play equipment. The childminder

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

provides suitable furniture and equipment for the different age groups. This includes a travel cot and highchair. The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues and procedures.

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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 This supports her in her role of keeping children safe. Clear systems are in place to make sure that children are only collected by an authorised person.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. They have good relationships with the childminder, which makes them feel settled and secure. Children's individual routines, likes and dislikes are followed, to make sure each child is happy and comfortable. Children are involved in a variety of activities that promote their development. These are planned on a monthly basis, and offer children a good range of experiences. These include outdoor play and regular cooking activities. Children enjoy gardening and growing their own vegetables, they have grown pumpkins, tomatoes, peas, runner beans and sunflowers. A competition in the summer to see which sunflower grows the tallest generates lots of fun and excitement. Children have regular access to different art and craft materials, construction toys, books, and role play activities. For example, they use their creative skills to make masks and carve out the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

pumpkins for the annual Halloween party. The younger children are able to participate in all the planned activities. However, generally the activities are geared more to the older children and do not always provide appropriate challenges for the younger children. Children benefit from the childminder's warm and caring approach. Frequent interaction, alongside her praise and encouragement, helps to build the children's self-esteem. Children enjoy looking at books and listening to stories and regularly visit the library to choose different books. Children enjoy experiences outside the home, where they get to play with other children of a similar age and meet other adults. This encourages socialising and helps to develop children's confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals, which helps them to feel good about themselves. The childminder is sensitive to the children's individual needs, and liaises closely with parents which ensures their needs are met. The older children are encouraged to make decisions about their play. Their preferences are taken into account, and the childminder makes sure that sufficient materials are available so everyone can fully participate. Children are learning about right and wrong. They benefit from the childminder's clear understanding of their individual ages and stages of development, when dealing with behaviour issues. Children respond well to the childminder's regular praise and recognition of their individual achievements, which helps to promote their self-esteem. They are encouraged to take turns and think of others, for example when sharing materials during art and craft activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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 benefit from the good systems in place to maintain effective communication between the childminder and the parents. This includes written information supplied to parents about the childminder's practices and policies. The 'daily diaries' are effectively used to share information about the youngest children. Regular opportunities for informal discussion makes sure that information is exchanged about all the children. This contributes to children's individual needs being met.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home in the welcoming and friendly environment. The play space is reasonably well organised, and children have regular access to indoor and outdoor play opportunities. However, activities do not always fully promote the younger children's learning experiences. Children benefit from the regular visits outside the home to extend their experiences. The childminder continues to develop her knowledge on aspects of child care, which contributes towards the children's care and well being. Documentation and records are satisfactorily maintained. They are kept secure and confidential. Individual contracts are formulated with parents, however, written parental consents are not in place for all children. Policies and procedures are in place and used to support the childminder's practice. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to make sure that documentation was clear and organised. This has been addressed by creating folders for each child's individual records to make sure they are all kept together and secure, and by updating the contracts with parents.

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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

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 quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. 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): • make sure that good hygiene practices are consistently maintained • make sure that safety measures are maintained to minimise all potential risks to children • develop the play opportunities for younger children so that activities provide appropriate challenges and experiences, for example, by using Birth to Three matters • review documentation, to make sure written parental consents to transport children in a vehicle and seek emergency treatment are in place for all children.

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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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