Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 106461 Inspection date 15 March 2006 Inspector Timothy Butcher

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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 1998. She lives with her husband and 2 children, aged 7 and 10, in Bishopston, Bristol. The whole of the ground floor of the property and first floor, middle and front bedrooms and bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder works with her husband who is also a childminder. There are currently 24 children on roll, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder has use of a car. She takes and collects children from local schools. She takes children to the local library, parks and other places of interest. The family has guinea

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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 pigs and a rabbit.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. A strong emphasis is placed on healthy eating. Children learn to make healthy choices and are keen to show that they understand about healthy eating. They are encouraged to exercise choice, for example, the choice of fruit they prefer at snack time. They talk about the foods they enjoy and show their understanding about the importance of healthy eating, for example, when they bring it into their pretend play. Children have their dietary needs closely met because the provider has a comprehensive system in place to effectively identify with parents children's individual requirements. Menus are pre-planned. The childminder has clear procedures should a child become ill or have an accident and other documentation is rigorously maintained to a high standard. Information about allergies and dietary preferences is recorded and displayed to prevent mishap. A comprehensive information folder accompanies children on organised outings.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from infection. They learn good hygiene practices as they follow simple procedures like hand washing. The childminder has the primary role with nappy changing and follows a suitable procedure. Children have plenty of opportunity for physical exercise and to get fresh air. A particular feature of the setting is the importance given to visits out which include regular visits to the park, children's museum and music group.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe and secure environment. The childminder has carried out a thorough written risk assessment of the premises and has clear control measures in place to protect children from potential harm. There is smoke detection equipment to each floor and the provision of stair gates makes the kitchen and first floor inaccessible to children, unless accompanied by an adult. A child-centred environment has been established that offers a good amount of space overall for children to carry out a wide range of activities. The playroom is bright and made welcoming to children with examples of children's work and posters on the walls and a good range of toys and equipment put out or on display around the perimeter. Boxed and labelled toys are made easily accessible to children. Children benefit from the experience of housed guinea pigs and a rabbit, although, the amount of free floor space is reduced. The floor space is more than adequate but

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

with maximum numbers of children present, this area at times can become congested and noise levels rise. As a result, children find it more difficult to concentrate. At other times, with fewer children present, the playroom provides a

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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 good facility. Older children have regular use of the lounge as a separate space in which to play after school. They pursue activities in keeping with their ages and interests and are able to chill out, if they choose. It is also used during the day for younger children to sleep, if the two bedrooms upstairs already have sleeping children. The dining room provides a homely space for children where they undertake a good range of activities. They safely sit at the table with younger children strapped into booster seats and babies in high chairs. Use is made of the surrounding space and children sit cosily together on the settee for stories or to snuggle. Children use the garden regularly to run about and get fresh air. There is a new paved and fenced area for younger children to play in safety. The grassed area has a

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

large trampoline and the childminder ensures that this is only used under close supervision. The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities to protect children and is well informed about the possible signs and symptoms of abuse. As a result, children have their welfare safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from the good physical care provided. Their individual needs are met well. The childminder ensures that babies and younger children are kept comfortable. Parents are consulted about such things as the start of toilet training and when babies might move on to solid feeds. Children are sensitively supported to develop their self-care skills and to grow in independence. The childminder also helps children to gain confidence and a sense of achievement through the use of goal setting. A programme of the intended structure of the day is planned before hand. It identifies particular visits out and other events, some activities, school runs and pick up times. Activities on the day follow the choices of children and their interests. There is no specific planning based on what children can do, so activities are not always targeted towards specific learning outcomes for children. However, children are effectively

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

supported because the childminder has a clear understanding of child development and knows individual children well. The childminder has a good understanding of child development and provides a wide range of play activities to develop children's learning. Children enjoy the opportunity to sit with the childminder to read a book. She gives each child her attention and adapts and punctuates the story with questions so that each child is actively engaged and involved. She has a clear understanding of their current abilities, asking more complex questions of more able children. She supports play well and incorporates activities like counting and naming into other activities. Children learn to make marks and to practise writing through activities such as drawing, painting and activity sheets. Babies develop early communication skills through the inclusion of manufactured toys which they explore with all their senses. They crawl and follow

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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 other children with interest.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder respects and values children's individuality and the family context of each child. Children are offered choice and routinely make decisions about what they do in their play. Children learn about diversity through everyday play. The childminder has a good range of toys and other resources to help promote children's understanding of diversity. The range and variety of toy resources are enhanced through the use of a toy library. All children are welcomed to the setting. The childminder has a clear procedure in place to identify with parents how best to meet the care needs of all children. There is a detailed behaviour policy made available to parents. Children have high expectations placed on them. Children are encouraged to treat each other with respect and to be polite. Children are supported to be social, for example, a child is helped to understand that what she says to other children has an effect on how they

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Helping children make a positive contribution

respond to her. The childminder uses simple explanation to develop the child's awareness. There is a very strong partnership with parents. Parents are fully consulted. There is comprehensive information about the setting made readily available to parents. Initial procedures for sharing information about each child are effective and contribute to the quality of care provided. The individual needs of children are closely met. Letters of recommendation from parents show that they report very favourably on the care provided. All parents are kept well informed about their child's day through a variety of means including, verbal feedback at the point of collection, telephone conversations and e-mail. The record of complaint requires some further development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder works with her husband who is also a registered childminder. This is a busy and popular setting. Time and resources are well organised. The majority of documentation and procedures are common to both registered childminders. Policies, procedures and other documentation are very well organised and used effectively to promote the welfare and good care of children. Parents are fully consulted and kept closely informed. Space is generally well organised. Children move freely between rooms as they access various activities together. Children also come together for meals. At other times children are organised into groups with each childminder taking sole responsibility for a group of children both within the setting and when going out. The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn through play and a good understanding of their individual developmental needs. She organises and

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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 supports play well through skilled interventions to ensure that each child is able to participate at their level of ability. Children experience a balanced range of activities and play opportunities. Day-to-day planning exists but it is not based on what children can do. As a result, systematic planning for each child's next steps in development is not in place, although, the quality of the interactions allow for children to make good progress. 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, a recommendation was made that parents be asked to sign in acknowledgement, the accident book. The accident record now shows that each entry has a signature of acknowledgement by a parent. As a result, it is made clear that parents are kept well informed should their child have an accident and children's health is potentially better protected.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There has been one complaint made to Ofsted since the last inspection. On 20 April 2005, concerns were raised regarding the childminder caring for more children than she is registered. The concern relates to National Standard 1. Suitable person and National Standard 2. Organisation. We made an unannounced visit to the provider and discussed the concerns in detail. We also checked documentation and made observations of practice. From the evidence gathered, an action was raised that the provider should not exceed registration conditions. The provider remains qualified for registration. 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):

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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 • develop further a suitable range of activities for the younger children as explained in Birth to three matters • further develop the process and record of complaint.

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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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