Burntstump Seely CofE Primary Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 143297 Inspection date 20 April 2006 Inspector Gill Moore

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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 was registered in 1996 and lives with her husband and their 2 children over 8 years, in a terraced property, in Farlington, Portsmouth. With the exception of the attic room, all areas of the property are registered for the purpose of childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play, and the childminder lives within walking distance of local schools and parks. The family have 2 gerbils. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and currently cares for 16 on a part time basis, 10 of whom are under 5 years. She is

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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 also registered for overnight care for 2 children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and runs a range of toddler and music groups where other registered childminders attend, as well as being open to the local community.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children gain an excellent understanding of healthy eating as the childminder provides a wide range of healthy snacks and meals. They enjoy a nutritious two course cooked meal at tea time and are introduced to a range of healthy options, which are planned on a weekly menu and shared with parents. These include roast dinners, cheesy pasta and sweet corn, meatballs, pasta and vegetables. Children enjoy a selection of sandwiches, salad vegetables and yoghurts at lunch times and benefit from healthy snacks, such as fruit, breadsticks and rice cakes throughout the day. They talk about why certain foods are good for them recognising they help their bodies to grow and muscles to work. Children’s individual dietary requirements and preferences are fully respected because the childminder obtains detailed written information from parents and uses this to guide her planning, ensuring their individual

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Helping children to be healthy

needs are met. Children learn the importance of following very good personal hygiene routines. For example they fetch tissues to wipe their noses and wash their hands after using the toilet and before meal times, talking confidently about why this is important. They stay healthy and thrive in the provision because the childminder implements highly effective health and hygiene policies and procedures to promote children’s hygiene and prevent the risk of infection. Children benefit from ample opportunities to engage in physical activities on a regular basis, helping to increase their understanding of the importance of taking regular exercise. They enjoy wonderful opportunities to play in the childminder’s garden on slides and climbing frames and benefit from regular trips to local parks where they increase their confidence using a range of larger and more challenging apparatus. This helps to develop children’s co-ordination and their understanding of spatial

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Helping children to be healthy

awareness. Children learn how their bodies work because the childminder talks to them about the things they need to help their body grow, re-enforcing the importance of healthy eating, exercise and the need for rest. Babies and young children benefit enormously from an exciting range of physical play experiences learning to use and negotiate an extensive range of equipment with skill and confidence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely well cared for in a safe and secure environment because the childminder is vigilant, implementing safety checks and risk assessments on a daily

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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 basis, and giving high priority to ensure their safety at all times. They learn how to keep themselves safe, for example because they talk through the procedures should an emergency evacuation be necessary and practise fire drills with the childminder. Children learn how to use a range of tools competently and safely, for example knives and scissors, and recognise potential dangers. Children talk about why it is not safe to play with the marble run until the baby is asleep; recognising that the marbles are small and the baby could put them in his mouth and choke. Children’s safety is ensured when on outings and in emergency situations because the childminder obtains written parental consent and implements highly effective procedures, which contribute to ensuring their safety, both in her home, garden and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

on visits. Children benefit immensely from a very child centred, friendly and homely environment enabling them to move freely and safely within the childminder’s home. They have independent access to an extensive range of equipment and play provision suitable and safe for their ages and stages of development, which enables them to make their own decisions about their play. The childminder has an excellent understanding of her role with regards to child protection, which ensures children are extremely well protected and safe guarded from harm. She ensures detailed policies and procedures are implemented effectively in practice and has secure systems in place for the collection of children and arrangements for emergency cover. The childminder is fully aware of the procedures to follow and records to be kept should she have any concerns about a child in her care and ensures parents are fully aware of her role and responsibilities with regards

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Interaction between children and the childminder is superb and children are extremely happy and have a wonderful time in her care. They thrive in the vibrant and stimulating learning environment playing a full part in planning their own activities and making decisions about the experiences they participate in. Children’s independence is exceptionally well promoted because they can freely access the extensive range of play materials and resources from baskets and open shelving units at low level. Babies and young children benefit from the stimulating experiences provided and the childminder refers to the Birth to three matters framework to help plan these. They babble to the childminder imitating the sounds and noises she makes becoming skilful communicators. Children become competent learners building models from construction materials and work out how to make the ball roll down the slide giggling

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and clapping in response to the continual praise from the childminder. Babies’ snuggle up for cuddles showing a strong sense of self assurance and attachment and enjoy clapping and dancing to the music with the childminder and their peers. Children benefit enormously because the childminder is highly effective in the way she organises an exceptional range of activities and experiences to meet their individual needs and interests and provide appropriate stimulation. She has a secure

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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 knowledge of child development and recognises the importance of play in a child’s development. Children enjoy being imaginative and representing their own ideas, for example through role-play and exploring creativity using a range of different media. They delight in playing games with the childminder, such as ‘jumping frogs’ and benefit from her enthusiasm and willingness to join in their play. Children are encouraged to solve their own problems, for example they work out why the elephant will not fit into the cave and offer solutions, which helps to develop their understanding of size and shape. The childminder is highly effective in the way she uses situations such as this to promote children’s understanding and thinking, building on their existing skills and knowledge before introducing new skills and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

concepts. Children enjoy many opportunities to visit places in the local environment, for example they take carrots to feed the horses down the lane and go on outings to a range of parks and Southsea beach. They meet regularly with other childminders and their minded children at toddler groups and ‘music makers’, which helps to develop their social skills and their ability to form positive relationships with their peers in a secure, safe and stimulating environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are extremely confident and self assured in the childminder’s care. They develop a strong sense of belonging to the setting, for example they are encouraged to pack away toys when they have finished playing with them. Older children show a very caring attitude and are considerate towards their younger peers. They help with routines, such as nappy changing and preparing the baby for a sleep, as they kiss the baby and hand them their favourite cuddly toy before leaving them to rest. Children’s behaviour is extremely good. They know what is expected of them and gain a very good understanding of what is right and wrong. Children happily share resources and take turns and are very sensitive towards their peers, which impacts on the extremely positive relationships they build with each other. Their confidence and self-esteem is well promoted through the continual praise and encouragement

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Helping children make a positive contribution

from the childminder. Children become very aware of their own needs and those of others. They begin to learn about diversity through discussions and stories with the childminder and books and play resources reflecting a diversity of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. The childminder values all children as individuals and has a positive attitude towards caring for those with special needs recognising the need to fully include all children into her setting. She liaises extremely closely with parents obtaining detailed written information about individual needs and requirements, and ensures detailed equal opportunities and special needs policies and procedures are discussed with parents and implemented effectively in practice. This helps to ensure the provision is fully inclusive and encompasses the needs of all children being cared for. Children benefit enormously from excellent working relationships between the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder and their parents and glowing references from numerous parents

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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 highlight the childminder’s commitment and dedication to her role. Parents are well informed about their child’s day through informal daily discussion and are extremely well informed about the service she provides through a very detailed portfolio. They know how to make a complaint, through a written complaints procedure, although this has not been updated to include the new requirement to keep a complaints log ensuring information about the provision is effectively shared with all parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children thrive in the setting and receive good quality care because the childminder is extremely well organised and plans her day accordingly to ensure she meets the needs of all children attending. She has a good routine, and adapts this to incorporate those of individual babies and young children, helping to establish secure relationships and a sense of belonging. Children benefit because the childminder is qualified and has vast amounts of experience working with young children. She is active in improving her practice by identifying continual training needs and making improvements recommended from the last inspection. As a result, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The childminder keeps the relevant documentation and this is extremely well organised, for example each child has an individual file with all their relevant details

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Organisation

included. She has a very good understanding of the requirements of the National Standards and ensures these are met enabling her to promote extremely positive outcomes for children. The childminder is highly effective in the way in which she shares information about her service with parents placing high importance on the registration and induction procedures. This ensures parents are well informed about herself, her family and the policies and procedures and how these are implemented in practice. Written documentation is extremely well maintained, with only the complaints procedure requiring updating. Consequently, all children are exceptionally happy, develop secure relationships and self assurance and thrive during their time with the childminder.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last care inspection the childminder was asked to create a system where all children are able to access appropriate toys and equipment easily and to increase opportunities for children to use resources which reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity and disability. Space has been re-arranged to provide ample opportunities for all children, including babies, to independently access the vast array of play provision and resources, allowing them to make their own choices about what they play with. Consequently children's independent skills are very well developed and they display a strong sense of self assurance and belonging to the setting. The childminder has joined the toy library and has also purchased a number of additional resources reflecting diversity, including a range of books and figures of different ethnic origin and with a range of disabilities, such as a doll in a wheelchair and a man

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Improvements since the last inspection

on crutches. This enables children to increase their awareness of the differences and similarities between themselves and others gaining an understanding of the wider

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Improvements 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 society. The childminder was also asked to ensure checks are carried out on those people having regular contact with minded children and to reconsider methods used to protect children from persons who are not vetted. This relates to the assistant who worked alongside the childminder, however this arrangement is no longer in place. All adults living in the property have had relevant checks and the children are well protected because the childminder ensures she always supervises children and never leaves them unattended with anyone who has not been vetted. She was also asked to obtain written permission from parents for transporting children in a vehicle. This is now obtained and included as part of the registration procedure ensuring children's safety.

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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, 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): • update the complaints procedure to include the requirement to keep a complaints log and share this new information 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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