Birkenshaw Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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107730 Unique Reference Number 24 May 2006 Inspection date Helen Ann Woods Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 lives with her husband and two school age children. Their house is situated in a cul-de-sac on the outskirts of Chesham. The ground floor area of the property is used for childminding, with toilet and sleeping facilities provided on the first floor. She is currently caring for four children part time aged under five years. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have two guinea pigs which are kept in a hutch in the garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds a current paediatric first aid certificate. She has experience caring for children with special needs.

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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 good. Children are cared for in a clean healthy environment where procedures are in place to maintain good levels of hygiene through daily routines such as hand washing and nappy changing. Policies and procedures are in place for first aid, accidents and medication ensuring they are well cared for. Children are protected from unnecessary illness as they do not attend if they are contagious.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered a healthy diet that takes account of individual requirements and personal preferences such as home prepared vegetarian meals and variety in menu choices that tempt children to try new tastes. Children are developing well physically through daily opportunities to climb, balance and slide on outdoor play equipment in the well organised garden. Weekly outings to the park and local toddler group offer a wider range of physical activities and social interaction with peers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a warm, welcoming home where children feel safe and secure. Space within the house and in the garden is well organised allowing children to move about safely and independently. Risks have been carefully identified and minimised, for example, radiators covered and rugs removed. The childminder uses a monitor for children sleeping in cots in the bedrooms upstairs. Toys and resources are checked regularly to ensure that there are no broken parts to harm them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder gives priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and to maintaining children's safety inside and outside the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of safety issues with the relevant policies and procedures in place to ensure the children's safety. She has a secure understanding of child protection and her role in keeping children safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, enjoy coming to the childminder's home and have a positive attitude towards learning. They are interested and engaged in a broad range of purposeful and developmentally appropriate activities which provide good levels of challenge. Children demonstrate curiosity, excitement and enthusiasm for learning. They are lively and persist for extended periods of time at activities such as building a roadway and drawing with crayons.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident and have good self esteem which is fostered well by the childminder who listens with interest to the children and frequently praises them. Children express themselves and communicate confidently using gesture, expression and language.

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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 have opportunities to refine and strengthen their small and gross movements through the daily routine.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Toys and equipment are well placed allowing children to help themselves and make independent choices. Children involve the childminder in their play and they receive lots of warm, individual attention, which enables them to successfully extend their learning and experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a sound knowledge of child development. This means that children's personal, social and emotional development are well supported.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are learning to take turns and share. They are well behaved as the childminder provides consistent boundaries and offers lots of praise and encouragement. Children enjoy close relationships with the childminder and they learn to be respectful, caring and considerate towards each other. Children make themselves at home, they select toys independently and are beginning to help tidy up afterwards. They have time to be active and relax, for example, the childminder knows they are getting tired so she gives them some quiet activities before they sleep.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A range of resources reflecting different cultures, gender and disability enable children to gain a positive image and to learn about the world they live in. The childminder understands the importance of helping children to develop a strong identity and feel good about themselves, their family and others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are happy and content because the childminder and parents share information every day about their child’s individual needs, interests and experiences.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and at ease within the well organised environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Children use all available play space in and outside the home. Children benefit from a variety of outings such as visiting the library to choose reference and reading books and local places of interest.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps up-to-date with new childminding developments by attending regular training programmes in order to develop her skills and improve the service she provides to children and their families. The childminder is keen to develop her knowledge and skills to benefit the children, for example, by making use of Birth to three matters.

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Organisation

All documents are in place according to regulation. They are stored securely and made available for inspection. She regularly shares them with parents but needs to record any concerns separately to ensure confidentiality. The childminder keeps parents well informed about the care that is provided. The childminder meets the needs for the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that children were not able to leave the premises unsupervised. All exits have been secured and the children are not able to go outside unless accompanied by the childminder or parent.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. he complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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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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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 recording of concerns is kept separately to maintain confidentiality.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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