Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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149288 Unique Reference Number 26 September 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 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 has been registered since 1993. She lives with her husband and their two grown up adult children 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. Toileting facilities are available on the first floor.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding two children, one child under the age of five years and one child over the age of eight years. Most children attend on a part-time basis, with the exception of school holidays where older children attend for longer hours for the duration of the school break. The family has three cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks and drives dependent on the weather to local schools to take and collect children. She 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 satisfactory. Children are protected from infection and are well taken care of if they become ill as the childminder adheres to environmental health guidance. For example, children who are unwell are discouraged from attending in line with stipulated exclusion periods for childhood diseases. The childminder has in place appropriate systems to document accidental injury and medication administered in line with national standard requirements. Although the childminder has previously held a qualification for first aid this is now out of date. She does not currently have parental consent for the seeking of emergency aid or advice. This means that potentially the childminder would not be able to give appropriate care in the event of an accidental injury or gain appropriate intervention from medical professionals in an emergency situation which may compromise children's welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn to understand simple good health and hygiene as they participate in practical activities and follow the daily routine. For example, whilst assisting with the preparation of lunch children learn about the benefits of specific food groups, such as vegetables being a good source of vitamins and minerals. They know to wash their hands following use of the toilet, prior to eating, when returning from outside play or having contact with the family pets. They understand the purpose of this task as the childminder introduces discussions about germs and the effects on their bodies. For example, she encourages the children to lather their hands with soap so that they can wash away the suds and say goodbye to the germs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive a balanced diet. The childminder is flexible in the provision of meals in line with parents' preferences. Current practice is that children have a light lunch mid-day of a sandwich with optional fillings in addition to a home cooked meal in the evening of fresh meat and vegetables. All meals comply with individual dietary needs. Children stay well hydrated as drinks are offered routinely throughout the day. Older children know to ask for further drinks if they are thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in regular physical activity. They have daily access to the garden which is equipped with a suitable range of resources to develop increased control and coordination. They also enjoy regular walks in and around the local community.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children rest and are active in accordance to their needs. Younger children sleep in line with home care routines whilst older children sit quietly after lunch watching favourite child-centred television programmes, such as 'Dora' or Pepper Pig', to recuperate their energy levels.

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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 suitably maintained family home where consideration is given to the removal of potential hazards. For example, a stair gate restricts access to the kitchen and to the stairs leading to the first floor from the lounge. The childminder is attentive to herself having older children therefore instigates informal daily checks of the home prior to children's

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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 attendance to ensure the home is suitable for her childminding provision. Children remain in sight and hearing at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access a suitable range of age-appropriate resources which are stored accessibly to promote independence. The childminder is aware of ensuring equipment is appropriate for the age of the children she is caring for. For example, when older children are in attendance games or resources with small parts are played with at the dining table so that younger children's welfare is not compromised. Although the childminder provides children with appropriate access to resources on occasion the availability of a variety of equipment impacts on the level of clear floor space to play purposefully. This impacts on children's ability to extend their play creatively and to play together cooperatively.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe as they adhere to the house rules and follow the childminder's direction when out. For example, they know to sit down when eating as they may choke on undigested food and to not climb on the furniture as they may fall and hurt themselves indoors. They know when out in the local community to stay close to the childminder and to hold her hand when crossing the road as there is a potential to get run over by the speeding cars. They also benefit from extended discussions about 'stranger danger' and not approaching unfamiliar dogs as this may compromise their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection and appropriate systems in place to document concerns. She is aware of how and who to report concerns to.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled in the childminder's care. They freely access her for affection and to have their individual needs met. For example, children seek out the childminder to settle them to rest on the sofa and to gain their comfort aid, such as a dummy. They confidently ask for a drink when they are thirsty.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children receive a varied balance of developmental activities such as, daily story sessions, opportunities to mark make and create their own designs when drawing and building with construction materials. The childminder knows the children well and extends their learning through effective open-ended questioning, constantly introducing new words to enhance language development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make independent choices in their play as they choose from a selection of age appropriate resources. The childminder supports children in their play and learning such as, involving herself in imaginary scenarios when playing with the small world Lego figures. Children are keen to play but lack the maturity of concentration. Play is sporadic and momentary in line with children's ages and stages of development. Behaviour also impacts on the fluidity and enjoyment of activities. The childminder has a knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework but she is yet to implement this within her practice.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children receive appropriate care as the childminder works closely with parents. A clear admissions procedure and the gaining of relevant information about individual children's needs from parents ensures the implementation of appropriate care plans. Children are confident in their environment, settling to play and accessing areas of the home freely. They respect the childminder and her home as they abide to the house rules. For example, they know not to climb on the furniture.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to learn to take turns and to share. Although children are actively encouraged to play together cooperatively, due to the differences of developmental ages this is not always achieved. Behaviour is highly variable dependent on the children's moods and levels of involvement. On occasion disputes erupt. These are not always consistently managed. Although the childminder has a clear understanding of how to manage children's behaviour in line with their age and stage of development, she has begun to use negative language in her responses to children's actions. This means that children do not always benefit from a positive approach to reinforce wanted behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about the wider world as they access community based amenities, such as parent and toddler groups. Older children enjoy opportunities to learn different languages. For example, word searches gained from the internet supported the introduction of some simple translated Spanish words relating to family members.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children receive a suitable standard of care as the childminder has appropriate skills and sufficient child care knowledge to provide a varied range of practical activities to teach children through play. Informal and flexible plans allow children the opportunity to make independent choices and to lead their own learning. The childminder effectively uses her unwritten procedures to guide her practice, adhering to the national standards and her registration requirements. All documentation is maintained to an appropriate standard. 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 maintain a first aid certificate. Although she has tried to access training this has to date been unsuccessful. The childminder is continuing to pursue this course as she recognises that it is a requirement of her registration. She was also required to ensure children's attendance is recorded accurately. This is now in place. The childminder was also required to obtain written permission from parents for transporting children in her car. A supplementary annex to her contractual agreement now supports this consent being in place. She was also required to practise an emergency escape plan with the children. The childminder is sensitive to the children's ages and levels of understanding. She has introduced the concept of an emergency plan through discussion and explanations as to the reasons behind such a routine in order to raise their awareness but not frighten them. She was

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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 also required to extend resources that reflect positive images. Some new equipment has been purchased in addition to the childminder having access to the new Sure Start resource pack which included a multi-cultural cookbook, art book and small world figures. Lastly she was required to ensure all records are kept up to date and any concerns about a child recorded. The childminder has implemented a concerns log sheet should she incur an occasion that required monitoring.

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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.

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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 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): • ensure a first aid course which includes training in first aid for infants and young children and is consistent with any guidance issued to local authorities by the Secretary of State is gained and maintained • ensure parental consent is in place for emergency medical intervention or advice • give consideration to the re-organisation and storage of resources in order to provide sufficient clear floor space for children to play • improve the outcomes for children under the age of three by using an approach in line with 'Birth to Three Matters' framework • continue to revise the type of terminology used when managing children's behaviour, this refers to using positive language.

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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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