Burscough Bridge St John's Church of England Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 119376 Inspection date 20 March 2006 Inspector Janette Elaina Langford

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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 1998. She lives with her husband and four children aged six, nine, and two adult children. They live in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. There are local shops, schools, pre-schools and parks within walking distance. The whole ground floor and bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to provide care for five children aged under eight years; of these not more than three may be under five years and, of these, only one may be under one year. An exception to this ratio to allow four children under five is made 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 children named on a variation request. At present, the childminder cares for eight children aged from two years to under eight years. All children are cared for part time. It is a non-smoking household. The family keep fish. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and part of an accredited network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder has well-written policies on health and hygiene and children are cared for in a strictly non-smoking environment. Posters made by the children and the childminder remind children when and why they have to wash their hands to help prevent the spread of infection. If children are ill or have an accident the childminder follows her written policies, which ensure their needs are met. She records medication and accidents clearly in the appropriate records and parents and carers sign it. Attendance at workshops help children learn about the importance of eating healthily and how to have five fruits and vegetables a day. Making fruit smoothies, creating a collage and making up songs about healthy foods help children to learn and remember what is good for them to eat. Children enjoy going out for walks everyday and wrap up warmly to go to the beach or the park to run about and get lots

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Helping children to be healthy

of fresh air. The childminder plans exciting activities for physical development, for example, she took them to Egyptian dancing, where they learned to follow a range of movements and to control their bodies in new ways.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The home is organised well for the care of children, with particular areas used for specific activities, including effective use of the garden all year round. Children have access to a wide range of good quality equipment both inside and out which helps create an accessible and stimulating environment. Children are learning about ‘people that help us’. During this project the childminder made a large ‘stop’ sign, which is used for role-play. Children take turns in being the ‘lollipop’ man to learn road safety. The childminder recently attended training with the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) to improve her understanding of child protection and help her to safeguard children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are motivated to learn because the childminder plans exciting and stimulating activities, incorporating the 'Birth to three matters' framework. Planting

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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 carrots and broad beans to see how they grow and taking part in children’s projects around the local area help develop children’s thirst for learning. The childminder encourages children to make their own choices in their free play. The written planning for children is divided into different areas of play and learning and links into long-term projects. Baseline assessments and progress records ensure the children can build on what they already know and can move on to the next steps in learning. The childminder keeps evidence of progress and examples of their work in a scrapbook for parents to see.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about different festivals and have access to books and other resources that reflect positive images of people from other cultures. The childminder learns words to help her to communicate with children who have English as an additional language. There are systems in place which help the childminder to value all children as individuals and to help them to progress at their own pace. Children are learning some simple rules to help them play harmoniously with others. They become independent by learning to manage appropriate tasks such as picking up their coats or eating their lunch from their lunch boxes. The childminder has a very well written and informative prospectus which she shares with parents, and meets them regularly to see records and talk about up and coming issues. She keeps a daily diary for the youngest children and parents are given a copy of the entry

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder shows commitment towards her own personal development. She improves her knowledge by attending relevant courses and workshops as well as reading childcare and educational magazines for further inspiring activities and up-to-date information. Detailed and well-written records, policies and procedures and an informative prospectus help the childminder to deliver a good quality service to the children and their families. The childminder has a clear sense of purpose and makes the best use of her time, space and resources to support children. Overall the children’s needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Complaints 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 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): • ensure children cannot lock themselves in the bathroom

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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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