St Faith's Church of England Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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116374 Unique Reference Number 18 September 2006 Inspection date Margaret Moffat 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 2000. She lives with her three children aged 11, 10 and six in Lane end near High Wycombe. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding with rest facilities available upstairs. 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five either on a full time or part time basis and one child over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family have two guinea pigs and some fish.

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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 stay healthy because the childminder follows appropriate health and hygiene routines. She ensures surfaces used by the children for eating are wiped clean and wipes out potties after every use. All relevant documentation is in place to ensure children's welfare and the childminder has a first aid certificate. This ensures children receive appropriate medical attention in the event of an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities to have daily exercise and fresh air as they play in the garden. They enjoy chalking on the paving stones and catching and throwing balls with one another. The childminder also ensures the children have regular walks to the local park and woodland area. Children are beginning to develop an awareness of their own personal needs, as they confidently ask the childminder for a drink when they come in from the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive a range of healthy snacks including fresh fruit, raisins and cereal, which contributes to them developing healthy eating practices. While most parents currently provide packed lunches for the children, the childminder demonstrates a good awareness of healthy eating practices. The childminder discusses and records children's individual needs and parent's wishes to ensure she meets the needs of the children in her care.

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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 warm, welcoming home were they feel safe and secure. They move freely and easily around the home and in particular the playroom. They independently select toys and resources from the good range available. Toys and resources are stored appropriately, with those suitable for older children on high shelves out of reach of the younger children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has identified and minimised potential hazards, which promotes children’s safety within the home. For example, the fire is not used during minded hours and stair gates prevent unsupervised access to kitchen and upstairs. Children are beginning to develop an understanding of staying safe. The children wait by the door until the childminder informs them it is safe to go and they listen to the gentle reminders from the childminder not to run around in the garden when they are carrying large items.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from the clear understanding the childminder has on child protection issues. She is fully aware of the signs and symptoms to look out for and the procedures to follow if she has any concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and very settled in the childminder's home. They enjoy a very good range of activities, toys and resources, which are age appropriate and suitable for their stage

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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 of development. They are very happy and confidently participate on their own or with the childminder and other children. For example, children enjoy the game of 'hide the rings' which the childminder instigates. The children follow the instructions to hide the coloured rings in certain places within the room and show delight as they retrieve them and bring them back to the childminder. The childminder spends a lot of time talking and playing with the children; consequently, they are thriving and making good progress in all areas of development. Younger children are developing their language skills as the childminder re-iterates words they are trying to say such as names of animals and the noises they make when playing with the shape sorters. Children show an interest in what they do as they help themselves to activities on offer and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

approach the childminder readily if they want to play with something else. For example, one child wanted to play with the computer, the child confidently asked the childminder, who set up the game for child. Children experience a balance of active and quiet times throughout the day. They have opportunities to socialise with a wider group of children through visits to the local toddler group. Children are developing their counting skills and colour recognition well, through the childminder discussing these with the children at every opportunity during their play, for example in the fishing game.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is warm and affectionate towards the children making them feel comfortable and valued. She praises and encourages the children for their efforts and achievements and this further develops their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected helping them to feel good about themselves. They develop a sense of belonging as they see their artwork displayed on the walls of the childminder's home. Children make choices and decisions about what they would like to play with and are encouraged to deal with their own care needs. As a result, children's independence is developing well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children respond well to the consistent praise and encouragement they receive from the childminder. They readily take part in activities, help tidy up and are well behaved.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops good relationships with parents. She discusses the children's individual needs thoroughly with them and offers help and advice when asked. There are effective systems in place to ensure information is shared with parents, such as verbal daily feedback. This promotes the continuity and care of the children. Parents report they are happy with the service provided.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are very at home and benefit from the well-organised play space. They receive good support from the childminder who enjoys their company and knows them well helping them feel secure and confident. The childminder has all the relevant documentation in place to ensure children's safety and welfare. However, she does not ask parents to sign the attendance register to confirm the record accurately reflects when children attend. Parents are kept informed of

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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 their child's achievements with the childminder discussing all aspects of the children's care with them. 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 update her documentation to include consents to seek emergency medical treatment or advice for the children and for transporting children in a vehicle. She was also asked to maintain a smoke alarm on the first floor in working order. The childminder has all necessary consents in place and has installed a smoke alarm on the first floor, in working order. This further contributes to children's safety and welfare.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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): • ensure parents sign attendance record to accurately reflect when children attend.

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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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