Bignold Middle School

Inspection report for early years provision

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120930 Unique Reference Number 24 May 2006 Inspection date Patricia Jane Daniels 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 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 was registered in 1993. She lives with her husband and adult children in Woking, Surrey. The ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. A bedroom is used on the first floor for sleeping children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding five of varying ages, who attend on a part and full time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and takes children to the local park.

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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 home, in which a number of good hygiene procedures protect them from potential cross infection. For example, the childminder provides individual towels for children and uses anti-bacterial sprays to clean surfaces. Children learn about the importance of good personal hygiene. The childminder makes sure that they wash their hands before eating and explains why this is important, to develop their awareness. She has a current certificate in first aid, which means that children have access to appropriate care if there is an accident. A suitable sick child policy ensures that minded children are not exposed to contagious illnesses.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents supply food and the childminder offers nutritious snacks, so that children learn about healthy eating from an early age. The childminder finds out about any allergies the children might have and takes this into consideration. Children are offered drinks, to make sure that they do not become thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Daily walks and opportunities to run around in local open spaces promote children's physical development. The childminder makes use of her garden, so that children play outside and enjoy the benefits of fresh air and exercise. Babies have space to crawl around and the childminder encourages them to gain control of their bodies by supporting their attempts to take steps.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to a good variety of toys that are carefully selected to be suitable for different age groups. The childminder makes the environment welcoming by displaying the toys in the lounge for the children's selection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has undertaken a risk assessment and taken some steps to minimise hazards to children. For example, she places a stair gate at the foot of the stairs and has socket covers in place. She is currently reviewing the security of her front door, to ensure that children cannot leave the premises unsupervised. She has spoken to children about what to do if they hear a fire alarm. However, she has not fully considered the actions she would take in case of a fire on the premises and has not practised an evacuation with the children. The childminder talks to children to raise their awareness of safety. For example, she tells them to be careful around very young children and teaches them about road safety when out walking.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a reasonable understanding of the possible signs of abuse and informs parents of her role. However, she does not always record existing injuries and her understanding of the procedures to take if concerned is not secure.

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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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a homely environment and have a regular daily routine, which involves outings to local open spaces and opportunities for play and rest at home. Children enjoy the outings; they talk about playing pooh sticks on the bridge and waving to the boats when they go for walks. The childminder talks to the children about nature when they are on outings, to develop their understanding of the wider world.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have a range of activities and the childminder likes them to make choices about how they want to spend their time. When the children loose interest, the childminder asks them what they would like to do next, offering alternatives for them to enjoy. Sometimes she does not anticipate the children's short attention spans and move them on to another activity promptly, to maintain their interest. The childminder offers opportunities for children to play with paint and play dough. This helps the youngest children explore and play creatively.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a warm relationship with the childminder and approach her freely, indicating that trusting relationships have developed. These relationships help the youngest children develop the confidence and skills needed for communication.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder seeks information from parents about children's needs and preferences. She uses this information to provide care, which reflects that given at home and meets the children's needs. This helps children settle and develop a sense of belonging. The childminder helps children to develop an understanding of the diversity within society by providing resources, such as small world toys and puzzles.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is managed through the childminder using appropriate strategies, but these are not always effectively applied. For example, the childminder sets boundaries for children and endorses good behaviour with praise. However, when children display unwanted behaviour they are not always diverted quickly towards another activity to distract them effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder welcomes parents into her home and makes time for conversations with them at the end of the day. This fosters a positive relationship, which benefits the children. The childminder likes to offer continuity of care for the children by finding out what they do at home from the parents. She uses this information to provide care that reflects the home provision. The childminder provides a portfolio for parents containing an outline of her policies, but does not include a complaints procedure.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises a regular routine and makes her home welcoming to children and parents. This helps the children to be settled and confident in her care. She has planned some

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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 training in the Birth to three matters framework, to enhance her practice. She shares her policies with parents in a portfolio. Regulatory requirements are met and the documentation relating to the safety, health and welfare of the children is in place.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection, Ofsted requested that the childminder should ensure that all adult members of the household are suitably vetted. This has now been undertaken, ensuring that children are not in the company of unsuitable adults.

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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

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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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 the premises are secure at all times so that children can not leave them unsupervised and implement a fire evacuation procedure • ensure a comprehensive understanding of the procedures to take with regard to child protection • implement proactive strategies to manage children's behaviour effectively • provide a complaints procedure for parents.

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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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