Brownhills School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 104248 Inspection date 13 December 2005 Inspector Anne Legge

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1996 and was previously a playgroup leader. She is registered to care for six children under 8 years. She currently has eight children on roll, including 5 under 8 years. She lives with her husband and teenage daughter in the village of Tipton St John, near Ottery St Mary. She uses the ground floor of her home and the front garden for childminding. The family have three pet dogs.

p.2

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROVISION

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from healthy eating as the childminder provides nutritious snacks after school, such as fruit, cheese and crackers. She offers breakfast before school, to those who have not already eaten, to make sure that no child goes to school inadequately nourished. Children learn about healthy foods as they discuss nutritious options and know why they should not eat sweets too often. They have plenty of fluids as drinks are always available and the childminder encourages them to drink regularly. Children have many opportunities to be physically active. They play ball games in the garden or go to the local park where they run, climb, swing and balance. They walk to and from school or pre-school and regularly walk in the village to exercise the dogs and develop their own fitness. Children's care is not always consistent when they are ill or injured. The childminder's

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

first aid qualification has lapsed, although she plans to complete a new course in January 2006. Records of accidents and medication administered are incomplete and not shared appropriately with parents. There is no system in place to request parents' consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. Children are effectively protected from infection due to the childminder's appropriate attention to cleanliness and hygiene. She ensures that the dogs do not pose a risk to children's health. She treats them regularly for infestation and restricts them to a separate area of the garden where children do not play. She has appropriate systems for keeping the house clean. Children learn good hygiene routines as they wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet or touching the dogs.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a safe and secure environment. Locked doors ensure that they are secure and regular risk assessments protect them from hazards. They are safe in emergencies due to appropriate fire safety measures. On outings, children respond to the childminder's clear rules about how to proceed near roads and where to wait before crossing roads safely. In the house, they understand that rules about rough games and balls are for their own protection from harm, as the childminder explains this to them. They choose from an adequate range of toys and resources, which are mainly clean and in good condition. The childminder has clear systems for checking all toys and resources for damage and cleanliness. Children are protected from abuse or neglect. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect and she knows who to contact if she has concerns. However, she lacks confidence about some aspects of

p.3

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 Children choose from a satisfactory variety of resources and activities, which are appropriate for their age. They are happy and settled with the childminder and purposefully engaged in activities throughout sessions. Children enjoy playing with dough or using their imagination when playing with toy animals. They choose to be creative when drawing or role playing and sometimes dress up to play parts in their stories. They play card games, use construction sets or enjoy cooking cakes, biscuits or pizzas with the childminder. Children take part in regular outings in the local area. They go for walks or play in the park and sometimes go for a picnic or by bus to local towns. They develop good relationships with the childminder and respond to her as she talks and plays with

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about right and wrong as they respond to the childminder's clear rules and high expectations of their behaviour. They behave well and understand why they must not, for example, touch the Christmas tree or talk with a full mouth. Their individual needs and interests are respected as the childminder plans appropriate activities for them. They have some opportunities to learn about cultural differences as they play with resources reflecting diversity, such as a multi-cultural doll. No children with special needs currently attend but the childminder would welcome and support any such children should the opportunity arise. Children's care is mainly consistent as the childminder develops good working relationships with parents. She exchanges information with them daily. She is flexible in meeting the needs of children and their parents, such as by collecting sick children

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

from school and caring for them until a parent arrives. She shares policies and procedures verbally and some documentation is not shared effectively with parents.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for by a very experienced childminder who also has experience as a playgroup leader. They enjoy the facilities of a family home. Space and resources are satisfactorily organised to provide an adequate variety of play experiences. Good adult:child ratios ensure that children have plenty of individual attention. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children's care is underpinned by most of the required documentation, although some documents are insufficiently detailed. Not all adults in the home have been appropriately checked to ensure that children are well protected.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder has made all documentation available for

p.4

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 inspection, to ensure that children's welfare is appropriately fostered. She has not yet developed her understanding of some details of child protection procedures due to difficulties in accessing a suitable training course. She has not improved children's care in emergencies by requesting consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

p.4

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since April 2004. 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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 everyone living in the home and aged over 16 years is appropriately checked, so that children are fully protected • improve children's safety, by updating knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures • ensure that children's care is consistent when they are unwell or injured, by updating records of accidents and medication, requesting consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment, and ensuring that first aid qualifications are always up-to-date.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5