St John Henry Newman Catholic VA Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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149159 Unique Reference Number 22 August 2006 Inspection date Paula Durrant 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 registered in August 2000. She lives with her husband and their two children aged 10 and 12 years in a residential property on the outskirts of the town of Stevenage. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child under the age of five years on a full-time basis and three further children under the age of eight years on a part-time basis. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group and makes full use of other community based amenities, such as parks, shops and the library.

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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 are protected from infection and are well taken care of if they become ill or have an accident as the childminder adheres to environmental health and hygiene guidelines. For example, children who are unwell are discouraged from attending in line with stipulated exclusion periods for childhood diseases. Appropriate measures, such as the childminder's maintenance of a valid first aid qualification, sufficient medical supplies and written consents from parents for the administration of medication or emergency medical intervention, all contribute to maintaining children's health care needs. Good practice, such as suitable storage and preparation of foods, use of antibacterial solutions to cleanse work surfaces and equipment used, means that children's welfare is not compromised as cross-contamination is minimised.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn to understand simple good health and hygiene as they follow the daily routine, such as when washing their hands. They know the reasons behind the hand washing process as the childminder frequently introduces discussions about germs and the effects they can have on their bodies, making them poorly and unwell.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. They receive a variance of healthy options, such as sandwiches with different fillings and fruit and yoghurts in place of sweet alternatives for pudding. Current provision is that the childminder only provides light meals in line with parental preferences. Use of a food questionnaire at the commencement of a placement means that the childminder gains a clear understanding of food groups that children like and food groups that they don't. This also supports adherence to individual dietary restrictions. Children remain well hydrated as drinks are offered regularly and their cups replenished when empty. The childminder only provides milk, water or sugar free squashes as she recognises that these are a healthier option that does not affect the children's diet or damage their teeth.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of physical activities which contribute to their good health. Trips to the local playground and activity centres are frequent. Children also have access to a secure and safe garden area which is suitably equipped with a range of challenging resources to develop increased control and coordination. They understand the importance of regular physical activity as the childminder openly talks to them about fresh air being good for them and exertion, such as running, jumping or skipping assists in oxygenating the blood in their bodies. Children rest and are active in accordance to their needs. Younger children sleep in line with home care routines whilst older children sit quietly looking at books or watching favourite child-centred television programmes to recuperate their energy levels.

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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 welcoming, secure and safe family home where all necessary safety precautions remain in place. The childminder is highly vigilant undertaking daily checks of the home prior to children's attendance. Children remain in sight and hearing at all times.

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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 Children access a diverse range of good quality resources that are well maintained. The childminder abides to manufacturers' recommendations providing age-appropriate equipment that holds a recognised safety kite mark. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder explains about dangers in and around the home. For example, children know to sit down when eating as there is a potential to choke on undigested food and to ask permission to use the large trampoline in the garden as they know that this piece of equipment requires adult supervision. Children's safety is maintained when away from the premises as the childminder instigates clear procedures, such as ensuring children remain still with their car restraints firmly secured when travelling in the car and holding hands alongside busy main

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

roads. Children stay safe in the event of a fire as the childminder regularly talks through and practises her written evacuation procedure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is high priority in this household. They are cared for by a suitable adult who has a clear understanding of child development. The childminder has completed vetting checks and demonstrates a strong knowledge of child protection. She knows where and how to record and report concerns in line with the local Safeguarding Children's Board procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are extremely settled and confident in their surroundings due to the exceptionally close relationship with the childminder who is highly attentive to the children in her care. She provides them with an extensive range of practical age-appropriate activities that inspire interest and promote challenge. She recognises individual preferences, such as the desire to play alone and to make independent choices in the selection of favourite play materials. For example, when a younger child ceased to participate in a group activity of imaginary role play they were promptly offered alternatives. The child chose to sit by themselves quietly looking through a range of story books. On unveiling their favourite character of 'Thomas the Tank engine' they express sheer delight and enthusiasm as they purposefully use the pictorial illustrations to guide them in the story content.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop positive levels of self-esteem as they are listened to and respected for their opinions. For example, when a younger child joined in with a craft activity they were able to select their own colour choice of paint brush for the glue. Although the child initially selected a purple brush it was apparent from their reaction that this was not the colour of their preference. This was instantly picked up by the childminder who promptly intervened asking the child 'what's the matter'. The child verbalised that the colour of brush they had chosen was incorrect. The childminder sensitively supported the child offering another opportunity to select a different coloured brush. The child paused for a moment looking at what the other children had and eventually selected a purple brush similar to the pink ones in use by the other children. Although the child had returned to their initial colour of brush the childminder was extremely

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

aware that this was because there was not a yellow brush available which was the child's favourite colour, hence causing some initial indecision. Once rectified the children actively engaged in the craft activity of making glitter glue pictures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children gain plentiful opportunities to experiment and reaffirm their skills, such as when practising the correct formation and sequence of letters in their names when labelling completed

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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 art work. Children really own their ideas and creativity. They are confident in voicing the need to design their structure on a piece of paper before commencing building with the 'Duplo' blocks. This is supported by the childminder who promptly makes available the necessary materials. Children contemplate their thoughts and ideas as they observe the different shapes and sizes of the blocks available. They draw squares to simulate the structure of a haystack adjoining the main wall of the farm outbuilding.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is very competent in providing a range of stimulating activities which she prepares in readiness. Although informal planning mechanisms are in place to guide the childminder in promoting equal coverage of all areas of development this is not set in stone. The childminder is intuitive to the children's needs and recognises that on occasion other interests may take precedence. She is very skilled at taking her lead from the children and in implementing incidental learning. For example, children benefit in developing an awareness of number as they count the variance of letters in their names. The childminder has knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and uses this to guide her practice with younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs take high priority in this home-from-home provision. A strong working partnership with parents supports the individual care needs and delivery of service. Mutual respect, love and understanding all play an integral part of the childminder's practice. Children are exceptionally polite, courteous and respectful of the childminder and her home. They know the house rules and use social graces, such as please and thank you without prompt. Children play an active part in their own learning. They make independent decisions in their play and the activities that they wish to participate in. They have positive levels of self-esteem and respect the opinions and actions of others because the childminder consistently praises their efforts and re-affirms their achievements, guiding their social and moral development. Good systems for sharing information, such as daily verbal exchanges and an informative

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Helping children make a positive contribution

portfolio ensures parents remain well-informed of their child's daily activities and the childminder's working ethos. The childminder is yet to implement a procedure for recording parental complaints in line with current legislative changes.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a conscientious practitioner who has a secure understanding of child development and the way that children learn through play. She makes full use of her childcare training, her life skills as a mother and child-centred literature, such as the 'Birth to Three Matters' framework, to implement practical age-appropriate activities that appeal and stimulate interest and a desire to learn. For example, she provides a balance of focused adult led activities in addition to promoting free choice in order for children to reaffirm and practise their skills. Children feel part of an extended family and are comfortable in this well-organised and inviting environment. They confidently make independent choices in their activities and extend their own play and learning in an imaginative way. The childminder effectively uses her written

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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 procedures and routines to promote the welfare, care and learning of all the children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to devise a system for recording times of children's attendance. Children's welfare is suitably maintained as a register is now in place. She was also required to ensure all accidental injuries are signed by parents. Children's health care needs are adhered to as all accidental injuries are logged within the accident book and parents notified at the end of the session, signing the entry as confirmation that information has been shared. Lastly she was required to develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues including signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. Children are protected as the childminder has developed her knowledge of child protection through the attendance of training.

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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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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 there is a procedure in place for the management of parental complaints in line with current legislative changes.

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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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