The Gill Blowers Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 131175 Inspection date 16 March 2006 Inspector Cordalee Harrison

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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 was registered in 1994. She lives with her partner and three children aged 5, 12 and 14 years old. The family live in the village of Thornborough in Buckingham, Buckinghamshire. The main childminding activities are contained to the ground floor of the childminder’s home, where children have access to the living room and kitchen. Washing and toilet facilities are located on the first floor. There is a rear garden for children to use.

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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 registered to look after 5 children, and is currently looking after 10 children. One child is aged 1 year, two aged are 3 and 4 years, three children are 5 year olds. Four of the children are aged over 8 years. All of the children attend on a part-time basis. School aged children may attend before and after school, and during the school holidays.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children get fresh air and exercise on their walks from school, as they use the garden and visit the community play spaces. They use large equipment that are designed to build their gross motor skills. They develop fine movements and eye and hand co-ordination as they do a variety of craft and construction activities in their daily play. Children eat a satisfactory range of meals and snacks that includes fresh fruit and vegetables. During the holidays, parents provide their children with a packed lunch. Perishable items of foods are stored in the fridge. Drinks of water and juice is available to the children throughout the day. School aged children are learning some good self-care skills, they learn to wash their hands before eating and to use safety items, such as, helmets when they ride their bikes. The home is maintained to a satisfactory standard of hygiene. The childminder ensures that babies are clean and

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Helping children to be healthy

comfortable. The childminder who is qualified in first aid uses appropriate first aid equipment to deal with minor accidents involving children. The childminder has suitable procedures in place to deal with children's medication.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed into an appropriately organised family home. However, all areas of the home used by children is not maintained to a comfortable temperature during cold weather, this restricts children's use of the available space. Children have easy access to good quality play resources. The childminder has addressed some safety issues in the home. However, it is not her practice to use risk assessments to ensure that all areas of the premises accessible to children is entirely safe for them to use. For example, the garden fence is not entirely secure and the front door lock is at a level. The childminder discuss road safety with the children, they learn to look and listen for traffic, and to identify safe places to cross the road. The childminder does not practise evacuation of the premises with children to ensure that they know what to do in an emergency. The childminder understands her role to protect the children in her care. However,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

she is not clear about lines of communication to deal with child protection issues in the locality. She is not familiar with the Local Safeguarding Children Board

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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 guidelines. She shares a child protection statement with parents but it does not contain all of the necessary information to help parents deal with issues of concern in the local area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has experience of caring for children of varying ages. She uses her good knowledge of child development to provide stimulating play opportunities that are appropriate for children of different ages and stages of development. Children are content in the homely environment. The childminder gives young children her time and attention in play and conversation. For example, she sits at the baby’s level and makes eye contact; the baby is responsive to her voice, he smiles readily. She engages the baby in play as she stacks the building blocks and he knocks them down, she introduces the words ‘up and down’ the baby is interested and repeats the actions several times. The baby explores the surroundings as he crawls around and investigates the suitable play resources that are within easy reach. Children settle quickly on their return from school. They make choices about play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They interact positively and communicate easily with the childminder. They approach her to ask for assistance, and talk about their activities at school. Children explain that they particularly enjoy the arts, crafts and role-play activities that the childminder provides. On the day of inspection they were involved in a painting activity. Children develop their communication and social skills whilst doing practical activities, such as, playing various board and cards games, they learn to share and take turns, negotiate and think strategically. They further explore their creativity when they build and construct with various mediums including junk materials. Activities, such as, cooking provide them with opportunity to further their understanding of basic science as they explore change. Children particularly enjoy the cooking activities; they experience a sense of achievement as they eat the bread they make as part of an

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's record forms contain sufficient information to enable the childminder to meet their individual health and care needs. Open lines of communication with parents helps to maintain continuity of care for individual children. Children use good quality resources that are non-gender specific in their activities. They use some multi-cultural resources including books and puzzles in their everyday play. They acknowledge cultural celebrations and deepen their understanding of cultural diversity with arts and craft activities. The childminder use suitable strategies to manage children’s behaviour. Appropriate levels of stimulation engage children purposefully. Clear and consistent boundaries help children to know what to expect. The childminder lets children know when their

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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 behaviour is not accessible, children learn to be considerate of others. They are polite, they say please and thank you. The childminder praises children’s achievements, they respond positively to the childminder’s guidance, cooperate with their peers and behave well.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are welcomed into a generally safe home environment. They have ready access to sufficient good quality resources and suitable activities to extend all areas of their play. All of the documentation required to safeguard children’s health and welfare is in place. The childminder’s organisation is not comprehensive, not all safety issues are addressed in the home. The childminder share some basic practice statements with parents, however, this does not include a statement for behaviour management. The childminder does not have written agreements with all parents to ensure that all parties are clear about the expectations and arrangements for the care of individual children. The childminder maintains a valid first aid certificate, public liability and vehicle insurance for the benefit of the children she minds. 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 last inspection the childminder was asked to develop knowledge of child protection, ensure the stairway is free from hazards, and to gain parents written consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice for children. Since the last inspection, the provider has put in place parents written permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice for children. She now has sound knowledge of child protection. Children are able to use the stairway safely; it is free of hazards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents. The provider must make the complaints record available to parents on request. The 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

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 all areas of the premises that children use are safe, put in place a system for regular risk assessments to ensure children's safety inside and outdoors, and maintain all areas of the home used by children to a comfortable temperature • develop knowledge of the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines • develop a behaviour management statement to share with parents, and put in place written agreements with parents.

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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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