Billingham Campus School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 111754 Inspection date 26 October 2005 Inspector Sue Stuart

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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 one adult daughter. The family home, a three bedroom house, is situated within a residential area of the Brighton Hill, Basingstoke, Hampshire. Play areas, a pre-school, and shops are within walking distance. Minded children have access to the whole house. The family have two pet cats. There is an enclosed secure rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for 6 children under the age of 8 years. Currently the childminder minds 3 children under 5. The childminder is a member of

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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 local childminding network and National Childminding Association .

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a clean, comfortable home environment. Their dietary requirements are understood by the childminder who works closely with parents to ensure their individual needs are met. Children bring healthy lunch boxes. Drinks are readily available throughout the day for the children. This practice ensures they are well nourished and enjoy a healthy diet. Children are encouraged to learn about personal hygiene through their daily routine, for example they wash their hands before snack. They learn about the effect of weather, such as changing wet clothes after getting wet in the rain. Their health and hygiene is supported by effective procedures, for instance preventing cross infection by wearing gloves for nappy changing. The childminder is a qualified first aider. Systems for administering medicines and recording accidents are in place, this ensures children are appropriately cared for in

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Helping children to be healthy

the event of an accident or illness. Children are developing a healthy life style. They benefit from regular exercise as they climb and slide on apparatus at the local play parks, or take walks around the local area, combined with visits to the small animal farm. In addition they play in the garden with larger toys and equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is a priority and maintained through regular assessment of potential risks within the home and on outings. They have a safe, clean environment in which to play as the childminder has taken appropriate steps to minimize potential hazards, such as installing a stair gate between the main play area and the hall. The childminder has developed an emergency evacuation plan to ensure children’s safety is supported. The use of a monitor ensures sleeping children upstairs are safe and secure. Children are able to move around the room and use the space well for their chosen activities. They select from a very good range of well maintained resources to support their learning and development. Resources are stored effectively to enable children to select them safely. Children have access to the fully enclosed secure garden, where they can use the outdoor equipment safely. Children's welfare is effectively promoted through the childminder's good

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

understanding of child protection issues. The childminder has attended child protection training with the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children

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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 and is aware of her responsibility to the well being of the child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. All children have good opportunities to choose from a range of age appropriate toys to initiate their play. Children benefit from the childminder's encouragement and praise as they achieve a task, for instance as they complete a jigsaw. They are confident in her care responding with pleasure as she involves them in activities together, for example playing a board game. Their learning is well supported, for instance children have the opportunity to choose from a selection of books both for pleasure and information. The childminder engages their interest and encourages their language skills, for example as she helps a toddler post dinosaurs through a small space. They have opportunities to participate in a range of activities, including attending local groups to access additional resources and meet with other children to develop their social skills. For example, an outing on public transport gave children the chance to learn about their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

surrounding environment. The childminder effectively helps children develop their ideas to promote their imaginative play, for example making connections from a previous cooking session to role playing with play dough. The childminder has a good understanding of children’s developmental needs and uses this knowledge to offer appropriate challenges, for example younger children are given freedom to learn about their own abilities as they feed themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a positive partnership with parents which supports her well in meeting children's individual needs. Regular exchanges of information between the childminder and parents ensures that children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes. She implements their requests and will readily discuss concerns and issues which may arise in promoting their health and welfare. Daily activities and domestic routines are shared with parents to ensure children's well-being. Children develop an awareness of our diverse society as they use appropriate resources such as small world people and books. They have opportunities to play and share resources together, such as musical instruments. They take pleasure from the social interaction at the shared meal times together. Children behave well, and know what is expected from them, for instance the childminder's appropriate firm and fair 'house rules'. They have a good relationship

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Helping children make a positive contribution

with the childminder, they are confident in her care seeking help with a task, such as help with threading. Children’s sense of responsibility is developed through their involvement with the daily routine, for example helping to tidy away the toys. The

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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 childminder praises and encourages the children for their achievements and this helps to promote their self-esteem.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She makes good use of her home and local facilities. The childminder’s home is welcoming and child friendly, she offers children a range of appropriate play opportunities to meet their individual learning needs. They have access to a good range of toys and equipment for them to develop their play. All children's records and documents are complete and secured safely in files. Policies and procedures are in place and shared with parents. However, currently the child protection policy omits the local authority procedures and Ofsted contact number. She accesses the local childminding training to support her in providing a safe stimulating environment for children in her care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to plan and practise an emergency evacuation, and maintain a record of medication administered. The childminder has developed and practiced an emergency evacuation plan. A record for administering medicine is in place and implemented correctly. These procedures have had a positive effect on the safety provision for children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint 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

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 improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure the local child protection procedures are shared with parents

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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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