Bradwell Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 112512 Inspection date 31 August 2005 Inspector Jacqueline, Ann Connell

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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 has been registered since 1999. She is registered to care for 6 children under 8 years, of whom, no more than 3 may be under 5 years and of these only 1 may be under 1 year. She does not provide overnight care. She currently cares for 4 pre-school children and 2 school-aged children. She lives with her husband, two adult children, and one child who is at primary school. The family live in a detached chalet bungalow in Oliver's Battery, on the outskirts of Winchester. Minded children have access to the ground floor of the house, with the exception of the front bedroom. There is an enclosed garden for

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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 outside play. The family has a cat. The childminder takes children to the local schools, pre-schools and toddler groups. She has an NVQ, level 3, in Childcare and Education.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, warm home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care through the daily routines and discussion with the childminder. They consistently wash their hands after visiting the toilet and before mealtimes and know why this is important. The childminder follows effective procedures which help to protect children from illness and infection. Children enjoy a range of outdoor activities such as playing in the garden, visits to the park and walks in the local area. They develop and practise their physical skills through activities such as; riding on wheeled toys, playing on climbing apparatus, and digging in sand. They become increasingly aware of the way activity affects their bodies and know when they need a drink or rest. Children understand the benefits of a healthy diet and enjoy healthy and nutritious snacks. They understand the importance of having regular drinks, especially during

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Helping children to be healthy

hot weather, and are able to access drinks for themselves. The childminder works very closely with parents to ensure she is respecting their wishes and meeting the children's individual dietary requirements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a spacious, child-orientated home where the childminder identifies all risks and minimises hazards. They develop their independence as they explore and play freely in the well-planned space where there are attractive wall displays showing the children's creative-work. This makes it especially welcoming to them. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe in and outside the home environment. Children independently select toys from the broad range of good quality, stimulating toys and play materials, which meet safety standards. The childminder checks the equipment regularly to ensure it is safe and clean for the children. She monitors and supervises the children's choice of toys to make sure they are appropriate for their age and stage of development. The childminder consistently applies her clear policies and procedures which

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

safeguard and promote the welfare of children. For example, she holds a current first aid certificate and has a good awareness of her professional duty to protect children. She understands the child protection 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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well in the childminder's house, they enter confidently and make themselves at home. The children take pleasure in each other's company they have a secure and relaxed relationship with the childminder. They enjoy playing and learning together with activities such as; drawing, cutting and sticking, baking, and jigsaw puzzles. They have fun as they experience different textures, for example sand and water, and find the planned craft activities stimulating and interesting. Children's communication skills develop as they engage in friendly and relaxed conversations. They grow in confidence in response to the childminder's praise and encouragement. They talk enthusiastically about outings to country parks, and other places of interest, and benefit from regular visits to toddler groups which help them to socialise with other children and adults.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel valued as they have a good relationship with the childminder who knows them very well and responds to their individual needs. They learn to understand and value other people through discussion, outings within the community, and a well-planned balance of activities, pictures and toys which reflect our diverse society. Children play very well together and show concern, kindness and respect to one another. They learn right from wrong and behave well because of consistent boundaries which are linked with clear explanations about appropriate behaviour. Children's confidence and self-esteem rises as they take simple responsibilities, such as tidying away toys and laying the table. The childminder develops good relationships with parents. She gives them clear information about her policies and procedures, and a daily update of their child's activities and progress so that they can work together to get the best outcome for the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

child. Parents speak positively about the care their child receives.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel secure and comfortable in the homely, organised environment. They are familiar with the daily routine and confident to initiate their own play. The childminder plans the routine around the children's needs and combines a good balance of activities with periods for rest and quiet play. The childminder is committed to further training in order to increase her knowledge and understanding of her work and to enable her to provide a better quality of care for the children. She recognises that additional training in 'Birth to Three Matters' material will enhance the care she provides for younger children. She shares her policies and procedures with parents and uses them effectively to ensure the

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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 children's needs are met. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, it was recommended that the childminder increase her knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures and ensure that parents give written consent before medication is administered to children. She has done additional training in child protection and now has a sound knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and she obtains parental signatures before administering medication. These measures contribute to ensuring children's continued health, safety and well-being. The childminder was also asked to increase the resources to reflect diversity. She has done this through additional equipment, posters and activities. These measures help children to extend their knowledge of the community and the world.

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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 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): • increase knowledge and understanding of the 'Birth to Three Matters' material in order to enhance the care provided for children under three years.

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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 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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