St John's RC Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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119426 Unique Reference Number 04 August 2006 Inspection date Patricia Mary Champion 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 1999. She lives with her two children aged three and two years. They live in a first floor flat in a residential area within walking distance of schools, shops and the railway station in Westcliff. All areas of the flat are used for childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding two school-aged children aged under eight years and three children aged over eight years before and after school, and during holidays. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children to the local park. She is a member of 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 satisfactory. Children stay healthy because they learn the importance of personal hygiene through the daily routine. They know that they need to wash their hands prior to eating or after using the toilet. Children are protected from the risk of infection because the childminder keeps a wealth of information about childhood illnesses, and other health related issues easily accessible on file. Appropriate paperwork is in place to record any accidents and when medication is administered. However, the childminder may not be able to act in all eventualities as she has not yet requested parental permission to seek any necessary medical advice or treatment for all of the children and her first aid certificate has now expired.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet. There are flexible arrangements regarding food and the childminder provides home-cooked meals. Some children bring packed lunches and the contents are stored in the fridge. Children are encouraged to make healthy choices and eat fruit for snacks between meals. Drinks are freely available so that children do not become thirsty. The childminder gathers information about allergies or special dietary requirements to meet children's individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities for exercise and fresh air each day, which contributes to a healthy lifestyle. They go for regular walks and have fun in the parks in the vicinity. Children can relax or rest in comfort according to their needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a comfortable and generally safe environment. Safety gates and cupboards catches are in place to protect children. However, potentially children's safety is compromised because cleaning materials are easily accessible in the bathroom. Although the childminder tells parents when she is taking the children on outings, she has not yet requested parental permission to take them for outings or to transport them in her car.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about personal safety. They know how to evacuate the premises in an emergency because they practise fire drills. They develop a good awareness of road safety when they go for walks with the childminder. Children know to pick up tripping hazards from the floor and to keep small and inappropriate items away from the youngest children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play with suitable and safe play equipment. The childminder puts thought into buying new toys that the children will find interesting and enjoyable. All play materials are checked regularly for damage and cleanliness.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded as the childminder is aware of her child protection responsibilities. She keeps child protection literature on file so that she knows the procedures if she has concerns about a child's welfare.

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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 have the opportunity to take part in appropriate creative, imaginative or physical activities each day. They have a warm relationship with the childminder and feel at ease in the family environment. Interaction between the childminder and the children is lively and interesting. They chat animatedly and ask questions in what they do and the childminder patiently deals with their requests. Children make their own decisions and choices about their play and distinguish right from wrong as fair and consistent boundaries have been set.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

School-age children take part in activities they find interesting and enjoyable. They draw and colour pictures and have access to a variety of books. Children respond well to challenge. They play enthusiastically and competitively with the electronic games console. During school holidays children enjoy a variety of outings. They go swimming with the childminder, visit the farm or play crazy golf.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are made to feel welcome and part of the family. They behave generally well and take turns and share the toys. The childminder skilfully negotiates any minor disagreements they may have using effective strategies. Plenty of praise and encouragement is given to raise confidence and self-esteem. Children are proud of their achievements and enjoy showing visitors their drawings and pictures. There is an adequate range of play materials and books that reflect the wider world to support children's awareness of diversity. The childminder knows that some children have additional or special needs and is aware of the information she would need to gather to provide the best possible care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the supportive partnership with parents. The childminder provides flexible care to meet each parents working arrangements. Some families have stayed with the childminder for some considerable time and clearly appreciate the care she provides. There are clearly written contracts and information is shared verbally at the end of each day. The childminder is now fully aware of the need to keep a record of complaints that she can share with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled as they are cared for by an experienced childminder who is also a qualified nursery nurse. The childminder has knowledge of first aid. However, her first aid certificate has now expired so she may not always be able to deal with children's accidents in the approved way. The childminder organises her home so that children are free to move around and play materials are arranged to meet children's needs. Toys are carefully rotated to provide additional interest. The term-time routine is efficiently organised around taking children to and from school. Although the childminder is clear about her responsibilities about providing for the children's day-to-day needs, she is in beach of a regulation by not informing Ofsted

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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 about changes to members of the household and the changes in the rooms used for caring for children. However, this omission has not had a negative impact on the children's care.

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Organisation

The required documentation is mostly in place with regard given to confidentiality. However, the childminder may not always be able to act in the children's best interests as she has not yet requested all the relevant consent agreements from parents.

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Organisation

Overall the range of children's needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004.

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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): • make sure that Ofsted is notified of all significant changes and events (this refers to changes to members of the household and changes in the rooms used for caring for children) • obtain parental permission for all children to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment, to take children on outings and to transport children in the car • complete a first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children at the earliest opportunity • assess the risks to children in relation to cleaning products in the bathroom and take action to minimise these.

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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 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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