Burwarton CofE Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 129805 Inspection date 24 January 2006 Inspector Anneliese Fox-Jones

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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 outstanding. 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 lives with her husband and two children aged seven and ten years. They live in a house in Bushey, Watford. The premises are within walking distance to schools, shops and parks. The whole area of the house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to provide care for five children under eight years at any one time. She currently has seven children on roll, minded on a part-time basis and at various times throughout the week.

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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 childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and a local Childminder Network Group. She has completed extensive training including all three levels of the Childminding Practice course and the Herts. Quality Assurance assessment scheme.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive because the childminder follows highly effective health and hygiene practices, together with thorough policies and procedures. This ensures children are protected from illness and infection. Children gain an excellent understanding of good health and hygiene practices through consistent daily routines. Children benefit from healthy lifestyles and the daily opportunities they have for fresh air and physical exercise. They enjoy walks to the local school, shops and parks, as well as outings to a variety of toddler groups, where the childminder ensures children are able to access physical play equipment. Children are provided with active and restful periods that meet their individual needs. Children are well-nourished. They have their health and dietary needs effectively met because the childminder takes account of the children's choices to provide a variety

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Helping children to be healthy

of healthy meals and snacks. Children enjoy wholesome meals each day that contribute to their growth and well-being. A weekly menu is planned to take account of any preferences and different children's attendance. They learn the importance of nutrition and the benefits of a healthy diet. Children have access to drinks at all times, ensuring they are well-hydrated. Children enjoy many different cooking or tasting opportunities. They develop an excellent awareness of healthy food choices and the importance of good nutrition through ongoing discussions and practical cooking experiences. For example, children play imaginatively with toy foods, such as pretending to make leek soup, which is then turned into a real practical cooking experience.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a clean, tidy and child-friendly environment. Children's safety is fully protected because well implemented policies and procedures reduce any potential hazards. Children avoid risks of accidental injury because the childminder is vigilant in maintaining high standards of safety. There are exceptional measures and boundaries implemented for the downstairs areas to ensure children play safely. Children use an extensive range of well-maintained and safe equipment, stored accessibly in a dedicated playroom. Further opportunities exist for resources to be rotated on a regular basis to stimulate the children's interest. Children learn to keep themselves safe because the childminder gives high priority to helping children understand safety. For example, children learn about road safety

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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 when out walking. They stay safe on outings as they are closely supervised. Children are very well protected by the childminder who has attended children protection training. She has accurate and detailed knowledge of child protection issues and ensures relevant supporting information is readily accessible. There are clear child protection procedures in place. Children's welfare is further safeguarded in the event of an emergency situation as the childminder has carefully planned and practised evacuation procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are involved in a well-balanced range of fun and exciting experiences. Activities are thoroughly planned to stimulate and interest the children. They thrive as they experience a variety of dynamic activities that contribute to their development inside and outside the home. Children also make choices and decisions in their area of play and the childminder follows their interests. They receive excellent support that helps them maintain their enthusiasm. Children benefit from regular walks and outings to various groups, the library, parks, shops and schools. This provides children access to different resources, opportunities to socialise with others and experiences of other environments. Children learn new skills and knowledge through their play because the childminder seizes every learning opportunity. High quality interactions and questioning stimulates children's thinking and listening skills. Children are learning to become

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

independent and talk confidently. The childminder spends time talking and listening to the children and provides excellent opportunities to develop and extend children's communication and language skills. Children respond to challenge and are very adept at identifying the correct day of the week from the clearly labelled hand towel in the cloakroom. This promotes children's reading skills and colour recognition. Therefore children make very good progress in their play and learning which has a significant impact on their overall development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children have extensive opportunities to value the wider community through an excellent range of resources and positive images. They are involved in meaningful activities and are developing a good understanding of different people in society. They learn about cultures and celebrations through fun activities and are involved in a wide range of activities covering festivals from around the world. For example, they celebrate Chinese lifestyles by tasting foods and exploring unusual creative art work. Thus their awareness of diversity is further promoted by innovative ideas and purposeful resources. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Children learn responsible behaviour because expectations are high. They benefit from the childminder's understanding of appropriate methods for managing behaviour. This helps 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 children develop an understanding of right and wrong. A strong partnership with parents enables the childminder to work closely with the children ensuring their well-being is significantly enhanced. Parents are kept fully informed on a daily basis of their children's activities. An informative picture scrap book is also proudly presented to parents to highlight their children's activities, progress and achievements whilst in the childminder's care. Thorough information is shared and reviewed through robust policies, records and effective communication to ensure children's needs are effectively met.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder organises her time exceptionally well to meet the requirements of the children who attend, as well as ensuring all children are included and participate in all areas of play and learning. She plans a wealth of play and learning opportunities and uses her space and resources thoughtfully to provide an inviting play space for children of all ages. The childminder has a high regard for the well-being of children and adjusts routines accordingly to the developmental needs of the children. Children feel very much at home in an environment which is welcoming and exceptionally well-organised. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to training to further her knowledge and skills which are later implemented into her practice. Therefore, children make excellent progress in the childminder's care. The childminder has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the National Standards for childminding.

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Organisation

She is very professional and has developed systematic polices and procedures to ensure she is meeting these to a high standard, which she regularly uses to review and improve the care she provides. Overall the childminder meets the needs of all the children who attend.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the 1 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.

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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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