St Catherine's Catholic Primary School, Lowton

Inspection report for early years provision

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106507 Unique Reference Number 26 April 2006 Inspection date Carol Cox 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 outstanding. 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 has been registered since 1996. She lives with her 3 children aged 12,14 and 21 in Bishopston, Bristol. The whole house is registered for childminding except the second floor bedrooms and there is a secure garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 12 children under 8 years at different times of the week. The childminder walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder acts as a coordinator of a local childminders' group.

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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 outstanding. Children's health and well-being is promoted extremely well through a range of well-planned and interesting activities, clear policies and good procedures. They have regular opportunities to take part in outdoor activities, such as playing in the garden and visiting local toddler groups, where they have chances to play with different toys which help children successfully develop control of their bodies. The childminder presents excellent challenges for children to develop and extend their physical skills through planned and child initiated activities, such as digging in the sandpit in the garden and pedalling, sliding and swinging. The childminder responds sensitively to children's individual needs and uses her excellent knowledge of child development to extend their physical skills. For example, helping a 2-year-old filter sand into a water wheel with a stick to knock out the lumps. The childminder shared the child's delight when he managed

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are very well protected from infection through good routines and developing self-care skills to promote good hygiene; for example, children know they must wash their hands before lunch. Young children use a step to reach the wash basin and individual paper towels are provided for hand drying. Children learn to feel good about themselves and enjoy the close and warm contact with the childminder when attending to their personal needs. Children snuggle down to enjoy afternoon naps in line with their parent's routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children thoroughly enjoy moving freely in a very well equipped and organised environment. They are protected against illness and disease through clear exclusion policies which are made available to parents. The childminder ensures that parents give written consent and guidance for any medication administered and all details are clearly documented and signed by parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children heartily enjoy the healthy and varied snacks and drinks provided by the childminder, including food from different countries and cultures. For example, children enjoyed eating hummus and olives at lunch time with home-made bread. All food is stored safely and freshly served to children who enjoy sitting together at the table and learning to socialise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive in the well-planned and safe environment, which allows them freedom to move about both in the house and the garden. The childminder practices stringent regular checks to ensure children's safety in the house, children relish the freedom this offers to move around and explore. The childminder has agreed an excellent system with parents to ensure that only those authorised are able to collect children. As children grow older, they learn the importance of safety, for example, they practise road safety when taking and collecting older children from the nearby school. There are clear and rigorous procedures in case a child is lost or not collected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children feel safe and settled, they enjoy consistent care and have close relationships with the childminder to whom they turn when needing help or reassurance. The childminder has an

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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 abundance of well-maintained toys and resources which children can safely and easily access, she regularly checks all resources and equipment to ensure their suitability.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected by the childminders extensive knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures and is aware of the need to share any concerns with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy and settled with the childminder and their learning and development is significantly enhanced by the excellent range of toys and resources which are made easily accessible to all children. The rooms used for childminding are exceptionally well planned to offer children freedom to move and express themselves. Children are very proud of their achievements, which are praised and acknowledged by the childminder. For example, the childminder shows a 3-year-old child how to make prints using a toy car, he experiments with different colours and is clearly thrilled with his picture. The childminder warmly admires his work and reassures him that the picture will be dry in time to take home. When planning for the use of toys and resources the childminder draws on her knowledge and experience to make sure each child's learning and development needs are met and sufficient challenges offered.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make very rapid progress because the childminder is very knowledgeable about child development and plans a range of stimulating and challenging activities. For example, when the children enjoy playing in the sand pit they try out different ways of sifting sand. All are entranced when a 2-year-old boy finds a wood louse in a bucket and the childminder talks to them about where it might live.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy warm interactions with the childminder who knows them well and uses her knowledge to advance their learning. For example, when mixing paints the childminder talks to the children about the textures and qualities of the mixtures introducing new words to extend their ability to describe their discoveries.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children have good self-esteem, which is nurtured by positive encouragement and praise from the childminder who shows joy in their company. For example, when a 2-year-old boy reluctantly left his newly discovered wood louse to go into the house for lunch, the childminder praised him warmly for complying and he glowed with pleasure.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from clear boundaries, for instance, at meal times all the children know they must sit still to eat and drink. Their behaviour is rewarded by the good natured discussions the childminder has with them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have access to a wide range of resources, toys and books, which are supplemented by membership of a local toy library, which reflect different people and their needs. For example, the childminder borrowed a child sized wheel chair for children to use to help them understand about disability. The childminder uses naturally arising events to discuss different issues with

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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 children and help them understand why discrimination is wrong. Children have equal access to resources and activities with appropriate support made available, for example, the childminder carefully sets up a painting activity and ensures that the youngest child has 1:1 support. The childminder has an understanding of the need to identify and meet the needs of each child regardless of age or ability. She has a very positive approach and is happy to work in partnership with parents and professionals to achieve best care for each child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder regularly updates and reviews information from parents about their children's care and learning needs. All information is extremely well documented to ensure each child's needs are met. She gives regular feedback to parents about their children and makes herself available should parents need to talk in private.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children enjoy and are empowered to develop extremely well in the child-centred and well-organised environment. The childminder works closely with parents to provide good consistency of care for children. All policies and procedures are clear and effectively practised to provide a safe and stimulating environment to promote learning and development for children of all ages. All documentation is shared in confidence with parents and stored securely for the required time.

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Organisation

The childminder organises herself very effectively to provide an exciting and stimulating environment where children feel confident, are empowered to practise learned skills, and are not afraid to try new activities. The needs of older children are carefully considered and separate provision is made for them at times to allow them freedom to enjoy challenging games and activities not appropriate for younger children.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to continued professional development and acts as a coordinator of an informal childminder's group. She ensures that her knowledge of how to provide high quality care for children is current and she shares knowledge and information with colleagues in the childminder's group. 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 the childminder was asked to action the following points: secure paving slabs and fence in garden; establish a clear system to record medication; gain a sound knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. The points for improvement have all been addressed to ensure children's safety. There is now a conservatory built on the patio which means that the garden is safe and secure for children. Medication records have been established which detail all guidance, advice, consent and administration by both the childminder and parents. Children's safety from abuse is secured by the childminders current knowledge and understanding of local child protection procedures.

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Improvements 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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Complaints since the last inspection

In October 2004 a concern was raised under National Standard 2: Organisation; that the childminder was exceeding the numbers of her registration. Ofsted asked the provider to send details of minded children and attendance registers. The information given was acceptable, no further action was taken and the provider remains registered.

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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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