Ss Peter and Paul Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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105071 Unique Reference Number 22 June 2006 Inspection date Gyatri Rupal 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 1998. She lives with her husband and three children aged 20, 16 and 12 in Luton, Bedfordshire. The whole of the childminder’s house, except for one bedroom, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local park. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding three children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming environment where they can play, rest and sleep according to their needs. They enjoy an appropriate range of activities which contributes to developing

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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 their physical skills. For example, children learn to balance their body using a range of play equipment such as riding bikes, skipping rope and hula hoop. Children also walk to the local park where they use a variety of large play equipment. Children are protected from the risk of infection, as the childminder encourages children to wash their hands after playing outside and after using the toilet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet as the childminder provides nutritious home cooked meals and snacks. Younger children are offered drinks throughout the day. Younger children are beginning to develop their confidence as occasionally they are encouraged to feed themselves with finger food. Children’s well-being is promoted as the childminder makes sure most of the required documentation is in place which promotes children’s well-being. For example, the childminder has updated a first-aid certificate so that she can treat children‘s minor accidents. However, accident records are not recorded appropriately and parents’ consent for giving emergency medical treatment is not in place which can delay the child receiving urgent medical treatment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe environment, where risks are identified and minimised. They are able to explore and express themselves independently and safely due to safety measures such as the stair-gate across the stairs and electric socket covers being in place. Children are able to play with their choice of toys through the childminder’s careful supervision. The childminder makes sure all resources and equipment are safe and appropriate for children's age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning to keep themselves safe through the childminder's appropriate guidance. The childminder explains to children about the dangers and safety inside and outside the house. Children are learning fire safety by practising fire drills regularly. They are learning to cross the road safely as they learn about the Green Cross Code. Children’s welfare is protected as the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection issues. She has attended child protection training and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled well at the childminder’s house. They explore their environment both inside and outside the house. The childminder regularly takes younger children out to the local childminder’s house and toddler group, where they learn to share and take turns. This helps children to make positive relationships with the other children. Children are developing their self-esteem and become independent as they choose between a range of toys and activities which appeal to them. For example, a one-year-old child felt very happy when she managed to make a noise by blowing a flute and made different noises of animals by pressing the musical toys.

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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 Children’s individual needs are met well as they receive one to one attention from the childminder. The childminder plans daily activities appropriately to meet the individual child’s needs. Younger children are developing their language due to the childminder’s appropriate interaction. They develop their mathematical thinking through their daily routine. For example, children count steps in the garden and count their toys. They talk about the colours of the objects around them. Older children enjoy exploring a range of activities which contribute to their creativity, such as listening and moving to music, painting, dressing up and model making.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are generally met as the childminder works closely with the parents to ensure she follows their home routine. The childminder is aware that some children may have special needs and is proactive in ensuring that appropriate action can be taken when such a child is identified. Children are familiar with the daily routine and respond quickly to changes through the day. They feel a sense of belonging as they independently select their own activities and play resources. They are confident when they ask for what they require. For example, a one-year-old child wanted to play with musical toys and pointed out the toys box, to the childminder. Children learn about the diversity through a range of planned activities, outings to local places of interests and play resources reflecting positive images of culture, gender and disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from a positive partnership the childminder has established with the parents. There is a regular chat between parents and childminder to discuss the child's daily activities which helps build a trusting relationship with children. The childminder explains most of her policies and procedures verbally to parents. However, the parents are not informed about the up-to-date complaints procedure and some required parents’ consents are not in place, such as consent to take children’s photographs. The childminder does not have a written agreement with parents about the activities provided to the children. These shortcomings in the complaints procedure and in obtaining parental consents, can affect the parents’ partnership with the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel comfortable due to appropriate organisation of play, space and activities. They are confident and secure when they initiate their own play. Children's welfare and learning is promoted as the childminder has organised a system to store records and documentation which is used in most areas to promote the care, welfare and learning of each child. Records are shared with parents and they can access these at any time. Verbal and written information about their child's progress and achievements is provided regularly. This contributes to a trusting relationship which impacts positively on the children. However, the system for keeping required records is not effective as some of the necessary parents' consent is not in place which can adversely affect the child’s well-being and the childminder's partnership with parents. Children are protected as the childminder ensures people who have access to the children are suitable 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 the parents’ permission is in place for the adults who can collect the child. Overall, all children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder had number of recommendations to improve her service. She was asked to plan activities to enhance children's understanding of diversity and she was also asked to improve documentation by obtaining parental consents. She was asked to improve safety of the children, both inside and outside the house, including practising the fire drill and develop knowledge of the local child protection procedure.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved the safety of the children by removing the garden debris, fixing the bathroom flooring, keeping the sharp knives out of reach of children which means children can move around in the house safely. Children practise an emergency evacuation procedure regularly which means they are able to take immediate action if there is a fire in the house. Parents' consent for taking children to the hospital in an emergency is also obtained but parents' consent for emergency treatment is not in place. Children have access to range of play resources reflecting positive images of gender, different culture and special needs which enhance their understanding of diversity.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaint made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint record may contain complaint 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): • improve documentation on following accidents and seek permission from parents for emergency medical treatment • ensure parents are informed about updated complaint procedure and that parental permissions are obtained as appropriate.

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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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