St Thomas More's Catholic Primary School, Havant

Inspection report for early years provision

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116377 Unique Reference Number 15 May 2006 Inspection date Samantha Hunt 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 1991. She lives with her husband and three children aged twenty, eighteen and eleven years in Hazlemere, near High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire. The whole ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five and two children over five before and after school/nursery. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group and takes children to the library and local parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a current first aid certificate.

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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 learn to become healthy through positive discussion and activities with the childminder. They know that fruit makes them grow strong. Children are beginning to record on individual charts, fruits and vegetables they have eaten throughout the day. Children access drinks of water freely when thirsty and fruit when hungry, from a bowl on the side in the playroom. Parents provide all meals. The childminder takes effective measures to store and reheat food for children. She checks it prior to giving it to children and then encourages them to check it before eating it. The childminder gives parents written information on how much their child has eaten.

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Helping children to be healthy

Hygiene standards are good. Children wash hands before and after completing activities such as cooking, playing in the garden and meal times. They are able to access the toilet and sink with ease, a step helps develop independence. The childminder provides all children with individual marked hand towels for drying hands and wipes for faces. This promotes their good health and hygiene.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities to develop physical well being both in the setting and out. They have access to bats, balls, ride on toys, sand and a playhouse in the garden. Visits to local parks and school daily provide access to fresh air and exercise regularly. The childminder holds first aid certificate this enables her to act in the event of an emergency. She maintains all accident and medication records accurately and shares information with parents at the earliest opportunity.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment that is welcoming and secure. The childminder carries out daily informal checks of her home to keep risks to children to a minimum. Cupboard locks, socket covers and regularly checked smoke detectors help to promote children's safety. Children learn to become aware of their safety. They know how to evacuate in the event of an emergency. The childminder supervises children well. She ensures they are in hearing distance or sight at all times, displays a notice to visitors asking to see identification and records visitors to the household during childminding hours. This promotes children's safely and well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from playing in a setting that is well organised and spacious. The home is arranged so that they are able to relax, spread out and play effectively and safely. They have access to a good variety of toys and activities to stimulate their development. Toys are of good quality and stored within easy reach for children to access when they wish. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection. She is aware of the signs and symptoms to lookout for and is clear about the procedures to follow if she has a concern about a child in her care.

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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 good. Children are settled and very at home in the childminder's house. They know where toys and resources are and freely access them when they want. Children play well with and without support from the childminder. She shows them lots affection and warmth, this makes them feel comfortable and valued. They have opportunities to mix with other children both in the setting and on outings outside the home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children clearly enjoy the activities on offer such as baking and gardening. For example mixing the ingredients for the cakes together, developing early maths skills such as counting and measuring. The childminder engages herself well in their learning asking questions to make the children think, such as "what will happen if we ice the cakes whilst they are still hot? Children are making choices as they decide which activities and toys to play with. They are confident and eager to try new skills and proudly show off their achievements displayed in the playroom, garden and in photo albums collated by the childminder. They begin to use their imagination when dressing up and interacting with others in the playhouse. Children enjoy sharing favourite stories with the childminder. They cuddle up together on the chair, the childminder encourages them to turn the pages and predict what will happen next. Children develop good self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder involves herself well in their play and gives lots of praise and encouragement.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans a balanced routine of activities that are developmental appropriate and stimulate the children. She shows a good understanding of the children's stages of development and knows what they like. This contributes to the children being happy and settled in the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's behaviour is good. Children are aware of the clear boundaries set by the childminder for example asking to leave the table after lunch and saying please and thank you. They respond well to praise and encouragement from the childminder. Children feel a good sense of belonging. They proudly show off their own pictures displayed in the playroom. Individual towels, cups and files for artwork, help to make them feel secure in the setting. Children receive lots of cuddles, support and affection from the childminder. This helps them to build their self-esteem and to move their learning forward.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about the world they live in, through visits into the community, meeting with friends, and accessing a good selection of activities and resources in the setting. All individual needs are valued. Children receive good care to meet their individual needs. The childminder works effectively with parents to ensure she follows individual routines and requests. Parents receive information both written and verbally about their child on a daily basis. This ensures children receive consistent care.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are able to move around a settling that is well organised. They have space to spread out and play effectively. Accessibility of toys and resources enables them to initiate their own play. Support from the childminder helps them to feel confident and secure in the setting.

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Organisation

Information kept about the children is relevant, organised and stored well. There is a minor area for improvement; information regarding how to make a complaint is not up to date. The childminder is committed to improving her practice. She regularly attends training to up date her knowledge, this helps her to support children's learning, enjoyment and care well. Written policies and procedures shared with parents such as behaviour management and child protection enhance the care for children. Overall, 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 complete a regular risk assessment and ensure potential hazards were made safe or inaccessible and ensure that floor level heating pipes where not exposed or accessible. She was also required to provide children with fresh drinking water and healthy options and keep an accurate record of children's arrival and departure times.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder now carries out a daily check of her home before children arrive; she identifies all potential hazards and ensures they are stored in inaccessible areas away from children. Radiator covers have been installed; this ensures that heating pipes are no longer exposed or accessible to children. The childminder provides children with fresh drinking water accessible in a jug on the side in the playroom and fresh fruit that they can help themselves to. She liaises closely with parents and encourages children to try healthy options first. The childminder has reviewed her method of recording children's attendance and now records children's arrival and departure times accurately.

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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 may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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Complaints 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

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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 complaints procedure shared with parents has correct details for contacting Ofsted.

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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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