English Martyrs' Catholic Voluntary Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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140070 Unique Reference Number 05 July 2006 Inspection date Pamela Bailey 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 been registered since 1993. She lives with her teenage son in Herne Hill, in the London Borough of Lambeth. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom on the first floor is used for childminding. There is an 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 four children at any one time. She is currently minding two children under five years all day, and two children over five years before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She runs a local parent/toddler group and is an active member of the Lambeth Childminding Association.

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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 satisfactory. Babies and young children enjoy varied and nutritious meals and snacks provided by the childminder or their parents such as breadsticks, raisins and fresh fruits. They receive regular drinks and water throughout the day. This encourages them to develop healthy eating practices from an early age and ensure children remain healthy. Children take part in regular physical activities that contributes to a healthy life style. For example, children play outside and extend their physical skills on a daily basis. Very young children and babies can crawl and learn to walk in a child friendly environment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm, clean home. However, young children do not receive good support to develop good personal hygiene from an early age. For example, young children are not encouraged to wash their hands before eating or after nappy changing.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has basic knowledge of first aid and ensures that all the required records and documentation are in place and well maintained such as the accident records and the medication records. These are shared with parents and means that she is able to give appropriate care if there is an accident and children receive the correct dosage of medication according to their needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a spacious well organised environment. This allows them to move around and play freely and independently. They have easy and safe access to a very good range of toys and resources some of which reflect positive images of culture, age and gender. These are carefully selected by the childminder to ensure that children have a good choice of resources and are suitable for their age.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to explore and learn about the things around them in an extremely safe and secure environment. The childminder is vigilant about safety and has taken positive steps to ensure that all aspects of her home is safe and minimises risks to children. Children are supervised at all times when using the garden and are learning to keep themselves safe both inside and outside the home. For example, the childminder and children regularly practice the emergency evacuation procedures. This helps children become familiar with the routine in the event of an emergency. Children are learning about road safety and the importance of using pedestrian crossings whenever possible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. The childminder has secure knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and the procedures to follow if she had a concern. She has all the required procedures and documentation in place.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Babies and young children are happy and settled at the childminder's home. They are confident in their relationship with the childminder and receive lots of warmth and affection. This supports their emotional well-being and gives them the confidence to explore new experiences. They benefit from routines which are consistent with their routines at home, such as eating and sleeping, going on outings and from socialising with other children through regular attendance at children's groups and the library.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children spend their time purposefully. A good balance of adult and child initiated activities help children make progress in all areas of their development. Babies and young children are beginning to develop their own preferences and make choices for themselves. They enjoy and learn from activities that allows them to explore and investigate. For example, children listen and respond with curiosity and enjoyment to sound making toys such as phones. They clap hands in self praise when they have completed inset shapes. Children use tools such as a play hammer to operate electronic games which helps to develop their hand eye coordination, movement and control. The childminder supports young children with additional learning such as identifying animals, colours, shapes and counting in sequences up to three.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies and young children confidently express themselves verbally and non verbally. Their language development and communication skills are enhanced as they listen attentively and observe the childminder who continuously talks and listens to children at all times. The childminder acknowledges children means of communication and responds by repeating words or attending to their needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's creative and imaginative development is encouraged through activities such as art and craft, music, singing and role play. For example, children take part in a range of creative activities and enjoy making tea during role play. They attend weekly music and cooking sessions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies and toddlers learn to control their own body gaining physical skills appropriate to their stage of development. For example, they crawl, stand with support and learn to feed themselves which helps to develop their independence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Babies and young children have formed a trusting relationship with the childminder and have a sense of belonging. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They are well behaved and benefit from constant praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to develop an awareness of diversity. Their understanding of others and the local community is promoted through routine trips to children's groups, outings and the local market. They take part in different cultural celebrations and have access to a good range of activities and resources that reflect positive images of the wider world, provided by the childminder. For example, dolls, books and small world play people. Although there are no

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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 attending with special needs, the childminder demonstrated how she will assess the needs of a child to determine whether appropriate care could be provided.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents provide appropriate and relevant information about their children and the childminder ensures that parents are kept informed about most of her policies and procedures. There are no procedures in place to record complaints and the childminder has not taken steps to ensure that parents are provided with sufficient information about the complaints procedures; however, she has a positive attitude to implementing this.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from a well organised environment where they receive good support to help them feel secure and confident. The childminder uses her time well and her flexible approach allows children to initiate their own play and move around freely. Consistent daily routines and information kept about children ensures their individual needs are met.

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Organisation

The childminder attends training whenever she can to help her to provide appropriate care for the children she looks after. For example, the childminder has attended child protection, equal opportunities and food hygiene training. Most documentation is maintained to a satisfactory standard. However, the childminder has not developed her policy for investigating complaints in line with new regulations.

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Organisation

The childminder and parents share information about the children. Regular informal discussions with parents and written policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. 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 Children Act inspection, the childminder was asked to inform Ofsted of changes to persons living in her home, comply with conditions of registration, improve record keeping and improve safety in the home in order to promote the welfare and care of children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made significant improvements which promotes and safeguards children's welfare, safety and organisation of care. Ofsted has been informed of changes to the childminder's household and the childminder is complying with conditions of registration. Accurately maintained records ensures that children receive appropriate care and their individual needs are met. Effective fire evacuation procedures, installation of a smoke alarm and a secured front door have improved children's safety indoors and children are unable to leave the premises unsupervised.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report 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 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): • develop children's understanding of good hygiene practices • ensure that parents are kept well informed of the procedures for investigating complaints and that the requirements for recording complaints are complied with

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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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