St James' County Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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129609 Unique Reference Number 02 June 2006 Inspection date Kim Wailling 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 1995. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and 14 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. 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.

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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 three children under five and four children over five, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She walks to the local school and pre-school groups to take and collect children. The childminder has two dogs.

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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’s good health is satisfactorily promoted as the childminder has in place useful systems and ways of working which ensure that individual health needs are met. Parents, for example, are asked to complete individual profile sheets about their children recording health concerns and possible food allergies. These are reviewed and updated on a regular basis. Children are helped to develop personal independence skills. They are encouraged to follow good routines, such as washing their hands after playing with play dough and before eating. The childminder takes immediate action when children are ill to make sure that they receive appropriate care. However, discussions with parents and carers about when it is appropriate to exclude children who are ill or infectious are informal and not sufficiently rigorous. The childminder does not have in place a policy about the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious. Consequently,

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Helping children to be healthy

this limits the effectiveness of the childminder's procedures to protect children's health from cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health, if they have an accident, is well safeguarded as the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. Documentation is kept to record accidents, which is clearly written and shared with parents. There are two well stocked first aid kits to deal with any minor injuries to children. In addition there is a procedure to check that the contents are replenished on a regular basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good knowledge of nutrition. Children are offered drinks frequently and have a choice of snacks, which includes fruit. Most children bring packed lunches from home which are eaten at the dining room table. Older children encourage younger children to finish their savoury sandwiches. The childminder works closely with parents of infants under two to ensure that their dietary needs are met. As a result, children are helped to develop good appetites and are well nourished.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered many opportunities to develop their physical skills. Children use the garden often and make use of the good range of equipment on offer. This includes a slide and a see-saw for younger children to use as well as a sand and water tray. Outings to the local park are undertaken to provide challenge for older children. The childminder has recently received a box of small equipment from the local authority, which the children are very enthusiastic about. This is being effectively used to further extend children's physical skills. This means that children's physical development is very well fostered.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children can rest and sleep according to their needs. The daily routine is well organised to fit in with children's individual sleep patterns. Children who do not require a sleep are offered a quiet time with the childminder, for example sharing stories after lunch. As a result, children are well rested.

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Helping children to be healthy

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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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very clean, tidy and welcoming family home. Children can move around freely as the furniture and storage of toys has been arranged to create uncluttered spaces. Younger children use equipment, such as a high chair and car seats, that are of suitable design and age-appropriate. The garden, in particular, is well maintained so that possible hazards to children are minimised. The family dogs are in good health and housed away from the areas of the house that minded children use. This means that children are cared for in a safe indoor and outdoor environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of the need to be vigilant and ensures that at all times children are in sight or hearing. Children are encouraged to think about keeping themselves safe, for example following safety rules when crossing roads. There is clear emergency evacuation procedure for children to follow which is practised on a regular basis. Children's welfare is very well protected as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues underpinned by robust documentation, some of which is shared with parents. As a result, children's safety and welfare is effectively promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children show eager interest in the very wide range of toys and activities on offer. They can freely access toys and initiate their own play. This includes creating their own games, such as building towers with duplo bricks, which are satisfying and rewarding to them. Children are eager to take part in planned activities, such as making Easter baskets. Children's art work is displayed so that it can be shared with their parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's learning is very well promoted. The childminder has a good understanding of how to stimulate children's interests and keep children busily involved. She sits and plays with the children, engaging them in meaningful conversation. The structure of daily routine helps children to feel settled and secure. For younger children this includes morning visits to local parent and toddler groups which are well resourced. The childminder is familiar with the 'Birth to three matters' framework and is incorporating many of its aspects into her practice. Overall all children are offered a good range of activities and experiences to promote their learning and enjoyment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happily settled and valued. They form positive relationships with the childminder and with each other. Children play happily together as social skills, such as sharing, are encouraged. Children are helped to manage their own behaviour as the childminder has good understanding of behaviour strategies. This means that children behave well and cooperate with each other. Children have a sense of belonging as the childminder has in place features, such as individual coat pegs, for them to store their personal belongings. Children are helped to gain an understanding of the wider community as the childminder has an adequate range

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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 of resources which promotes this. In addition, children are taken on outings to local groups and parks which increase their knowledge about the local community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder knows the children and their families well. Many of the children have been cared for by the childminder since babyhood. Arrangements to settle children into the childminder's care are negotiated taking into account the needs of children and the requirements of parents and carers for flexible childcare. Information about the setting is available for parents and carers and discussed before childminding commences. Consequently, children are well supported in the transition between home and the childminder so that they become confident and make good progress. The childminder knows of the requirement to record any complaints made in writing by parents, although currently no process is in place. Subsequently, documentation that supports partnership with parents and carers is underdeveloped. As a result, parents and carers are not fully informed to enable all to work together to support the children's

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is enhanced by the efficient organisation of the childminder. She is very committed to ensuring that a high standard of care is offered to children. She regularly updates herself on new childcare initiatives by accessing appropriate training. Most policies, records and procedures are in place which promotes children's well-being. These are well organised in a portfolio so that they can be accessed easily.

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Organisation

Children's enjoyment is well promoted as the childminder has organised her daily routine very well. This means that children are given time for unhurried play, rest, relaxed meals and snacks. Children feel comfortable and at ease in the childminder's home. Consequently, children are confident to form friendships, initiate their own play as well as enjoying being involved in planned activities. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to make information about the setting available to parents and carers. In response, the childminder has organised a portfolio which contains information about what she has to offer children to share with parents and carers. This means that parents and carers are able to take a more fully active part in their children's care and learning.

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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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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): • devise a policy about the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious which is discussed with parents and carers • keep a record of complaints relating to the National Standards and any action taken.

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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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