Beths Grammar School

Inspection report for early years provision

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136334 Unique Reference Number 04 April 2006 Inspection date Sue Hill 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 was registered in 1989. She lives with her partner and 2 adult children in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding plus a bedroom for rests. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has 2 cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time, and she is currently minding 7 children under five part-time during the day. She attends the local parent/toddler group and takes children on outings. The childminder belongs to the National Childminding Association.

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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 warm, clean home and are protected from infection through the childminder's clear sickness policy. The management of pets and regular cleaning routines ensures that children play in a hygienic environment which minimises risk of infection. Children's health is actively promoted. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. She appropriately manages accidents and the administration of medication, and shares the records with parents. Children learn about good hygiene practices through well-planned daily routines. Good procedures such as using individual flannels/towels for children sustain high levels of hygiene and prevent the spread of infection. Children know the routines, such as taking shoes off to go in the house and hand washing after using the toilet. They are able to enjoy a range of physical activities through using the childminder’s well equipped garden. There are regular

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Helping children to be healthy

visits to the park and playgrounds to develop their physical skills. All are able to rest and be active according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing an understanding of healthy eating through encouragement from the childminder. They have drinks easily available throughout the day, and the childminder follows parent’s wishes for the types of food given to their child. Children enjoy planned activities to encourage them to eat healthily: for example, creating collages of healthy foods and foods that are fun to eat in moderation. The childminder works with parents to support healthy eating, and ensures that special dietary requirements are met. Meal times are social occasions, as all children sit together at the table and talk to each other and the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment where children are relaxed and safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young children are free to roam and investigate their open surroundings, under the watchful eye of the childminder. The ground floor is organised to meet children's needs, with furniture placed to the side of the rooms to provide a large play space. There is a strong child focus in the conservatory area, which has been set up to encourage imaginary play with a kitchen, workbench and comfortable seating. Children enjoy using this area chatting to each other, looking at books, doing art work and making cups of tea for the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Many of the clean and safe resources are kept in this area in cupboards, tubs and on low-level shelving. Children can independently access activities from a very good range of safe and interesting toys and equipment. Children's interest is sustained by regularly providing new resources which take into consideration each child's stage of development and how this can be extended further. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children’s choice of toys to make sure they are appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children are able to access a good, safe range of outdoor equipment, for example, swings, slides and a climbing frame.

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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 The childminder is aware of potential hazards outside the home and puts appropriate measures in place so that children are safe. Children learn to protect themselves, for example through learning about road safety and not talking to strangers. Children are protected by clear and well-detailed accident and medication records and the childminder has all the required documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised through the childminder's use of effective safety measures. She expertly helps children understand why safety is important both in and out of the home: for instance, tidying up toys to prevent tripping. Children are kept safe through the childminder’s clear understanding of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child and regular

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

practices of fire evacuation procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have fun, are confident and enjoy the activities available to them. They are happy and settled and make good progress as the childminder is friendly and welcoming. She understands how to help children learn through practical activities. This enables them to practise and develop their skills. The childminder promotes language development well through her constant interaction and conversation with the children. They confidently use their language skills and gestures to communicate thoughts, feelings and needs to each other and the childminder. Musical activities include singing, rhymes and instruments, which contribute to developing children's communication skills. They listen and respond to these: moving rhythmically, developing awareness of their bodies. They relate appropriately to each other and are starting to socialise with other children, regularly attending the local toddler group. This provides them

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

with opportunities to develop and use their language skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make sound and steady progress. The childminder is aware of each child’s individual stage of development. She gives them the time and opportunity to do things for themselves and offers encouragement so that they become more independent. Children's interest is sustained as the childminder actively participates in games, resulting in children wanting to learn and to try new things. They develop independently as they choose their own activities from a good range of resources. They are happily and actively occupied.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are appropriately challenged so that learning is extended as the childminder provides toys which are all suitable for the age and stage of children's development. Children are proud of their achievements as the childminder offers praise; and completed puzzles or constructions are saved to show parents. The childminder is aware of each child’s individual stage of development, and is beginning to use the Birth to three matters framework. She is in the early stages of assessing children's achievements and planning their next stage of learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a meaningful range of resources and activities to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children’s awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, celebrating different festivals, dressing up and trying different foods.

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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 Children learn through their play using dolls, books, puzzles and games depicting positive images of difference. These are readily available to the children, and are used regularly to support children in learning respect for individuality. Awareness of their own environment is developed through use of the garden, and local visits, for example, to the park and soft play. They walk to the local amenities, so that they become very familiar with their surroundings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected as individuals, and the wide range of activities are adapted to each child's stage of development. For example, helping a younger child using scissors, and encouraging an older child to use them by himself. Children are given time and encouragement to achieve to the best of their ability. They are secure as their individual needs are met well. The childminder follows their normal daily routine as discussed with their parents. Children show care and concern for each other and play together harmoniously. The childminder provides clear, consistent boundaries and has a proactive approach to behaviour management. Children behave very well as a response to the childminder's use of positive praise, discussion and encouragement to share resources. They benefit from consistent boundaries and the calm approach of the childminder. She anticipates potential conflict and skilfully diverts children's

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Helping children make a positive contribution

attention, for example, when two children want to play with the same toy. Children make themselves at home, becoming confident about making choices and asking for what they want to play with from a young age. They are valued when they bring their own toy or activity to the childminder's home to share with her.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a strong, close and effective partnership between the childminder and parents, based on mutual trust and respect. Positive, friendly relationships with parents promote an informal exchange of information about children’s development. Parents are welcomed into the home and at the end of the day there is a two-way discussion so that both parties are fully aware of what is happening in a child's life. The childminder's prospectus provides information about her services, enabling parents to be clear about what is available for their children. She works closely with parents following routines and shares important information with them.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children’s individual needs are met and they make good progress, as the childminder is very caring, conscientious and well organised. She provides an inviting environment so that children move around without being inhibited and confidently help themselves to toys they wish to play with. Children are at home, at ease, happy and settled. Activities and toys are well presented encouraging children to explore and initiate play. The childminder attends relevant training courses regularly, using the knowledge gained to support the children's learning. Good routine enables the childminder to provide a high level of support and to maximise the time she spends playing with children.

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Organisation

Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children.

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Organisation

Documents are shared with parents to keep them well informed about the service, their child's activities and so that children receive continuity of care. Information, policies and procedures

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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 are shared with parents to keep them informed about the service and their child's activities. Flexible planning arrangements are adapted to keep children safe and to enable them make good progress in all areas of their development. The childminder is aware of the amendments to the standards made in October 2005; however, she has not yet updated her complaints policy to reflect these.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has met the three recommendations made at the last inspection. She has completed a risk assessment on her garden and lounge, and improved safety by covering small pebbles with decking, and by putting furniture in front of the fireplace. She has attended courses to develop her knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities issues. She ensures that the sandpit is kept clean by using a lid, further promoting children's health.

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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 the 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): • extend assessment to include planning to further promote childrens’ learning through use of the Birth to three matters framework

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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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