The Holy Family Catholic School, a Voluntary Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 149299 Inspection date 04 August 2005 Inspector Diane Mary O'Neill

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2000. She lives with her husband and their 16 year old daughter in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The whole of the downstairs accommodation is used for childminding, upstairs is not used. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 2 children under 5 on various days. She is close to the local parks, playgroup and school. The childminder attends the local toddler group. The family has no pets.

p.2

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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and well maintained home. Although the children cared for are very young, the childminder is helping to teach them about the importance of good hygiene such as washing hands before meals and after using the toilet. She uses effective care when changing young children’s nappies to ensure their hygiene, safety and well-being. Children are provided with a mixture of freshly produced meals and snacks or they bring their own packed lunch. The childminder provides the children with drinks which they can easily access. This enables them to develop their independence which is also apparent at meal times as they are encouraged to feed themselves. Children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills through a variety of play experiences both inside and outside. The children move freely and confidently within the childminder's home, selecting play equipment independently. They have

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

access to equipment in the garden such as bikes, swings, slide and play kitchen with play food, whereas inside they have a variety of toys such as, play dough, puzzles, bricks and books that help develop their finer physical skills. The childminder further develops children's outdoor play experiences within the local community by taking the children on picnics to the park and local farm. The childminder has effectively increased her knowledge of current first aid and emergency treatment by attending a first aid course. She has all relevant documentation for the recording of accidents and giving of medication to ensure children’s health and well-being.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming and safe environment as the childminder is aware of risks and has taken positive steps to minimise these. She carries out informal risk assessments daily and regularly checks the equipment to ensure children's safety whilst in her care. There is a clearly written fire evacuation procedure which is practised with the children so they learn the importance of staying safe in an emergency. Children have good opportunities to access suitable play space and play equipment both inside and outside. This contributes to developing their independent skills, through choice of activities and play materials which children have available to them. Children are beginning to learn about the safety of boundaries especially when on outings.

p.3

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 has some understanding of child protection and is planning on doing a child protection training course. However, not all records and documents are in place to support her in the event of any concerns in order to protect and safeguard children in her care.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are very settled and happy in the childminder's home. They are secure and confident with themselves and other children attending. The children are extremely sociable and relate well with each other and the childminder, who through good use of communication and effective interaction, enables the children to be relaxed in her care. Children are supported well by the childminder who provides a broad range of stimulating and challenging play experiences. Their independence is enhanced by being able to easily access play materials from spacious labelled drawer units. Children are able to freely make choices for themselves as well as having some activities planned for them. They clearly enjoy playing with play dough and different shaped cutters, building towers with bricks, dressing up and playing out in the garden. Children have good opportunities to extend their play and learning through

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

trips to the park and farm, toddler groups and seeing other children which helps further develop their social skills.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children are beginning to learn about their community and the diversity of the world around them. This is achieved through the childminder's positive attitude and use of resources that she provides to extend their learning, such as books, dressing up clothes, learning about different cultures and tasting food from various countries. There has been an occasion when another childminder has visited who provides care for a child with special educational needs. This has helped develop both the children and the childminder's awareness of the needs of others. Children’s needs are met very well as they follow their daily routine. The childminder has built up a good and trusting relationship with the children that enables them to feel confident and happy within their surroundings. The children are starting to foster good relationships with one another and this is achieved through positive

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

contributions by the childminder. Children are beginning to learn and have an awareness of boundaries and rules, such as sharing and taking turns. Children’s care is enhanced through the childminder having a good working partnership with parents which impacts on the confidence and security of each child. Each parent has sufficient time to discuss their child’s progress on a daily basis. The childminder willingly shares all relevant information with the parents to keep them

p.4

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 updated.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel relaxed, secure and comfortable within the well organised environment. This enables them to be confident, energetic and engage well in their play together. They seek adult support when needed clearly showing confidence within their surroundings and the good relationship formed with the childminder. The childminder has access to sufficiently organised records and documentation, however some documents need to have all relevant information within them. Verbal information is shared regularly with parents so they are kept fully informed about their child's well-being, progress and achievements. This contributes to a trusting relationship which impacts positively on the children. Through ongoing training, such as first aid and attending training courses the childminder is further developing her knowledge in childcare practices. This practice enables her to successfully meet the emotional and developmental needs of children

p.5

Organisation

in her care. Overall, the needs of all the children who attend are met.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were made to ensure the childminder increases her awareness of safety within the home. Increase knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities and special needs. Obtain additional written parental consent. Update knowledge of child protection regulations. The childminder has ensured all areas within her home are safe for children. She has expanded her equal opportunities play materials and, by spending time with another childminder who cares for special needs children, her knowledge and understanding has further developed. All required parental consent forms are in place, the childminder uses National Childminding Association contracts. Child protection, certain documents are still required and this has been raised as a recommendation at this inspection. The childminder stated she is going on child protection training which will further enhance her understanding of practices and procedures.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been a few investigations carried out on this provider. They were in relation to a complaint that was investigated on Thursday 16 December 2004. From the evidence gathered it was found that the childminder first and foremost thinks about the children. However, she does not fully understand the need for procedures and processes in her work as a childminder or as such in hospital procedures. She has difficulty at times with language and making herself understood. She recognises that she is not fully fit to childmind at the present time. A recommendation was that an action letter be sent and a follow-up visit made when the childminder

p.5

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 recommences childminding to ensure all aspects of childminding practice are in place and understood. Action letter sent and outcomes accepted, case closed. Another complaint was investigated Thursday 15 April 2004. Actions were raised and summary statement that the provider is not registered for overnight care. No further action and case closed. A further complaint was investigated on Monday 25 April 2005. Actions raised and Ofsted system checked for confirmation of clearances for the childminder's husband. Childminder had informed Ofsted of possible complaint being raised. Showed relevant documentation in relation to contract with parents. No further action, checks on husband carried out, case closed.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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 that the Department of Health guidance "what to do if you're worried a child is being abused summary" is available • ensure that records of children attending, such as register, children's information sheets and contracts, are fully maintained including dates of birth.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6