St Oswald's RC Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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129260 Unique Reference Number 27 April 2006 Inspection date Paula Durrant 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 December 1995. She lives with her partner and their 4 children aged 16, 14, 10 years and a baby of 9 months in a residential property in a suburb of Hertfordshire. She is registered to provide care for a total of 5 children under the age of 8 years and is currently minding a total of 6 children under 8 years. A majority of the children in attendance are part-time. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools, playgroups and nurseries to take and collect children. She makes full use of local amenities such as parks; shops activity centres; woodland areas and regularly attends mother and toddler groups. The family has fish, a hamster, a cockatiel and caged birds in an aviary in the garden.

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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 the importance of good hygiene and personal care as they follow the daily routine. They know when and why they wash their hands due to the consistent intervention of the childminder who explains about germs and the effects that they can cause to their bodies, making them poorly and unwell. Exemplary practises, such as the use of antibacterial solutions to cleanse hands and individual towels and bed linen all contributes to the prevention of cross contamination. Children's health is maintained in the event of a medical emergency as the childminder holds a current first aid qualification and ensures sufficient medical supplies are available in her first aid box. All accidental injuries and medication administered are recorded in line with registration requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive a well balanced diet. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and the children’s choices to provide nutritious meals and snacks that appeal to the children and meet their individual dietary needs. All foods are home cooked from fresh raw ingredients. Children remain well hydrated as drinks are always available and replenished periodically throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of physical activities which contribute to their good health. They have access to a secure and safe garden area which is equipped with an array of challenging resources to develop increased control and coordination. The childminder also provides indoor activities, such as opportunities to draw and cut with scissors in order to enhance children's fine muscle movements. Children rest and are active in accordance to their needs. Younger children sleep in line with home-care routines whilst older children sit quietly to recuperate their energy levels.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe secure family home where all necessary safety precautions remain in place. The childminder is highly vigilant undertaking daily checks of the home prior to children's attendance. Children remain in sight and hearing at all times. For example, children who sleep are monitored via a listening device in addition to regular physical checks made by the childminder at periodic intervals whilst they are resting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access a diverse range of resources that are suitably maintained. The childminder abides to manufacturer's recommendations providing age appropriate equipment that holds a recognised safety kite mark. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder explains house rules and road safety when out. However, children do not benefit from developing an awareness of fire safety or how to evacuate the house in an emergency as there are no formal procedures in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is priority in this household. Children are cared for by a suitable adult who has a clear understanding of child development. The childminder has completed vetting checks

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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 and demonstrates a strong knowledge of child protection. She knows where and how to record and report concerns in line with the local 'safeguarding children's board' procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and settled in their surroundings. The childminder is highly attentive to the children in her care providing a range of practical age appropriate activities that inspire interest and promote challenge. She recognises individual preferences such as the desire to play alone and to make independent choices in the selection of favourite play materials. Children develop positive levels of self-esteem as they experiment and reaffirm their skills, such as when playing with the trains and train track. They persevere with their set task maintaining good levels of concentration as they form an imaginative design with the track for the trains to manoeuvre across.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is very competent in providing a range of stimulating activities which she prepares in readiness on her formal daily planner. Although planning mechanisms are in place to guide the childminder in promoting equal coverage of all areas of development this is not set in stone. The childminder is intuitive to the children's needs and recognises that on occasion other interests may take precedence. She is very skilled at taking her lead from the children and in implementing incidental learning. For example, children benefited from an opportunity to reaffirm number as they counted the number of trains on the train track. The childminder has knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and is beginning to introduce this within her practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure appropriate care plans are adhered to. For example, supplementary resources were added to the childminder's first aid resources in order to meet the needs of a child with a blood disorder. This means that ice packs are readily available at all times should the child have a fall or abrasion providing vital emergency aid for their well-being.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop a clear understanding about the wider world as they actively participate in community events, such as the joining in of assemblies at the local school and visits to open-days at the local police station where they are given a tour of the police station and have the opportunity to have their finger prints taken. They also learn about different faiths and religions through planned craft activities. For example, children made Easter cards and chicks out of cardboard plates in celebration of a Christian event in April.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have an understanding of the appropriate codes of conduct and behave well in response to the high expectations of the childminder. They know to share and take turns when playing with equipment and to use social graces, such as 'please' and 'thank you' when receiving or requesting items.

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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 The childminder promotes a highly effective two-way communication system between home and her provision. Children's needs are fully complied with due to the use of written daily dairies and exceptionally close liaisons with parents and carers. The childminder has yet to implement a procedure for managing parental complaints in line with current legislative changes.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel part of an extended family and are comfortable in this well-organised and inviting environment. Children confidently choose activities and extend their own play and learning in an imaginative way. The childminder effectively uses her written procedures and routines to effectively promote the welfare, care and learning of all the children. All written parental permissions are in place. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to complete an appropriate first aid course which included training in first aid for infants and young children. She was also required to obtain written permission from parents for seeking emergency advice or treatment, signed by parents, for consent. Children's health is promoted as the childminder has attended training in first aid gaining a current and valid first aid qualification. She has also revised her documentation to include parental consent for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment.

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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 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): • develop a written fire evacuation procedure and ensure that this is discussed and practised with the children

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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 • ensure there is a system in place to manage parental complaints in line with current legislative changes.

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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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