Badsley Moor Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 106832 Inspection date 13 March 2006 Inspector Janice Clark

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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 has been registered for 6 years. She lives together with her husband and 2 children, aged 8 years and 4 years, in a 3 storey terraced house in Ashton, Bristol. The ground floor area and a first floor bedroom are used for childminding purposes. There is a small enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. There are currently 3 children on roll. The family have a pet rabbit and a kitten.

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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 cared for in a warm clean home. They enjoy the benefits of a routine that ensures the appropriate balance of rest and play. Regular outings to the park, zoo and a soft play facility provide children with plenty of fresh air and exercise; this contributes to their good health. The childminder implements satisfactory hygiene practice in the home and children begin to learn about the importance of hygiene and personal care. For example, the childminder ensures that they clean their hands before eating food and explains the reasons for doing this. Although she cleans toys and equipment regularly, some toys are not always maintained in a hygienic condition as the kitten has access to them. Therefore, children are at risk of infection. Children learn the benefits of a balanced diet. For example, they enjoy cereal and toast for breakfast, plenty of fruit for snacks and sandwiches such as, cheese

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Helping children to be healthy

toasties for lunch. Drinks are always available. The childminder works with parents to ensure that she meets the dietary needs of the children and to find out their likes and dislikes. Children eat together at the table at meal times and this assists in developing social skills. The childminder uses appropriate seating for young children to ensure that they eat in safety and comfort.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are safe in a secure indoor and outdoor environment where they grow in confidence. There is adequate room for them to play independently and to choose from the toys that are on offer. The childminder has identified and minimised some risks such as, providing a gate to prevent children from gaining access to the kitchen and dangerous substances are inaccessible. She ensures their safety when walking on outings and when travelling in the car. However, the childminder has not identified some areas that require attention, for example, there are trailing wires in the dining area. Although smoke detectors are in place, not all fire safety requirements are adhered to. For example, the fire safety blanket is not easily accessible and the childminder does not practise the evacuation procedure. This compromises children's safety and well-being. Most policies and procedures are in place to help safeguard and promote children's

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

welfare. For instance, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a satisfactory understanding of child protection in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures. However, some documents regarding children's health and safety lack necessary detail and are not shared appropriately.

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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 flourish in a comfortable environment. The childminder interacts well with the children; she talks to them, understands and attends to their needs. For example, a young child was slightly unsettled during the visit, the childminder sat her on her lap on the floor, cuddled her, read stories and made sure that she was comfortable. The childminder encouraged an older child to help her to tidy up to enable them to build a train track together. Children enjoy a satisfactory range of resources and activities that are suitable for the age and stage of children attending. However, they do not benefit from variety and choice in their play because of the limited range of toys and activities made available to them at any one time. As a result, they lose interest in what is on offer and do not always become fully involved in their play. Children do not

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

have access to interesting objects and materials, such as natural resources and household items to enable them to explore by using their senses or further develop their natural curiosity. Children enjoy listening to stories. The childminder makes them interesting by involving the children, changing the tone of her voice and bringing the stories alive. As a result, children listen intently and this helps to develop their concentration and language skills. They grow in confidence and gain a sense of achievement as they engage in new experiences. For example, when they visit a soft play facility, they climb large apparatus, jump on trampolines and explore a ball pool in a safe environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a wide selection of books to help promote a positive view of the wider world, and to assist children to gain some awareness of diversity and an understanding of others. For example, children enjoy looking and listening to books that include characters that portray positive images. Visits to the park, library, zoo and groups enable children to learn about their local community and the diversity of the people who work and live there. The childminder discusses the children's needs with parents when they first visit. She encourages them to settle children slowly into the setting. Consequently, they benefit from a routine similar to what they already know. Therefore, children are happy and confident in her care. Daily discussions with parents assist in the sharing of information and this promotes continuity of care. The childminder has a positive approach to behaviour management. She promotes

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Helping children make a positive contribution

good behaviour through praise and uses strategies that are developmentally appropriate, such as, offering alternatives, using distractions and giving explanations for unacceptable behaviour. For example, a child who was throwing a toy was asked not to do so as it might hurt someone. Children learn to say 'please' and 'thank you' and to share. She encourages them to be gentle with the kitten. As a result, children learn respect and behaviour in the setting is generally good.

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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 The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her week to incorporate visits to local groups and facilities. Therefore, children enjoy the benefits of a home environment, as well as socialising with other children and exploring different resources and activities. She helps to promote positive outcomes for children by only caring for small numbers at a time. The childminder discusses policies and procedures verbally with parents when they first start. This assists in promoting good understanding, resulting in a happy, comfortable atmosphere for children to play, thus, contributing to their well-being. However, not all required documentation is in place. For example, the childminder does not have a complaints log that she can share with parents. Records for the

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Organisation

administration of medication lack detail and are not appropriately shared. The childminder does not consistently obtain required written permission from parents. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

During the last inspection, the childminder was requested to complete a first aid course for infants and young children and to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. Since the last inspection, the childminder has completed a paediatric first aid course. This assists in promoting children's health and welfare. The childminder provides some resources, such as, books which helps to promote positive images and assists in developing children's understanding of others. However, toys and activities to support this area are still limited.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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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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): • ensure that pets do not pose a hazard to children • conduct a risk assessment within the setting identifying actions to be taken to ensure children's safety and minimize identified risks; ensure that all fire safety requirements are implemented and put into practice • improve outcomes for children from birth to 3-years by using an approach in line with Birth to three years matters; ensure children have access to a wide range of resources that promote positive images of culture, ethnicity, disability and gender • ensure that all required documentation meets the required National Standards

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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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