Sacred Heart RC Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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106499 Unique Reference Number 21 August 2006 Inspection date Deborah Jane Starr 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged 19 and seven years in Henleaze, Bristol. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently caring for five children; four of whom are under five years and one of whom is under eight years. All children attend on a part-time basis. The family have a pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children to and collects from local pre-schools and schools. She takes children to local toddler groups, library, parks, shops and local places of interest

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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's health is effectively promoted. Children follow well-established good hygiene routines; for example, washing hands after use of the toilet and before snacks and meals. Policies and procedures that prevent the spread of infection and risk of illness are in place. These are the exclusion of children when unwell, thorough nappy changing procedures, individual flannels for each child and the regular treatment of the family dog. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate. The recording of accidents and administering of medication is managed appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a range of activities that contribute to their physical health and development. Young children are supported appropriately to develop their increasing mobility when learning to walk. Activities in the garden and regular visits to local parks and soft play areas help children develop control and co-ordination of their bodies. Children develop batting, throwing and kicking skills using bats and balls, climbing skills using slides and climbing frames and develop balance when riding a hobby horse and sit and ride toys. Regular walks give children plenty of fresh air. Children enjoy moving to music and attempt finger rhymes such as 'Tommy thumb' and 'five fat sausages'. Children are able to be active and rest and sleep comfortably according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop an understanding of a healthy and nutritious well balanced diet through snacks of fruit and home prepared meals accompanied with fresh vegetables. The childminder has a flexible approach to meals providing breakfast and tea. Children's dietary needs are discussed fully with parents and taken account of. Children's understanding of healthy foods is promoted further through cookery activities, for example when making fruit salad. Drinking water is accessible throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move safely around the well-maintained home where hazards are clearly identified, minimised and regularly checked; this includes plug sockets, stair gates, a sleep monitor and smoke detectors. Children play with a good range of age appropriate toys and use equipment that is regularly checked and appropriate for their individual developmental needs, such as buggies, car seats, high chair and travel cot. Children are guided to keep themselves safe. They are encouraged to be aware of younger children when manoeuvring a hobby horse around the main play area and when playing with small toys. When outside and on outings, young children wear reins, stay within close proximity to the childminder when playing in the park and learn to look for moving vehicles before crossing roads safely. All children wear wrist bands with contact numbers, whilst older children stay within agreed boundaries when playing in open

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

spaces such as the park or Blaize Castle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all required procedures and documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and protected. The childminder has a good understanding of child

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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 protection issues and knowledge of the local procedures to be followed. Parents are well informed of her responsibilities through discussion and a written policy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and secure within the childminder's home. The positive relationship between the childminder and children promotes their self confidence and enables them to explore the world around them and develop positive relationships with others. For example, children confidently approach the visiting inspector, show her how toys work and request assistance. The childminder uses her knowledge of the children to offer a varied range of adult-led and child-initiated activities throughout the week that include story time, cookery, construction using junk, stickle bricks and Duplo and creative and messy play. Young children respond to toys that stimulate their sense of touch, sight, hearing and speech. They beam with delight when repeatedly twisting knobs to make car noises and music and when listening and babbling into numerous play telephones. Older children re-enact their experiences pretending

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to give injections using a doctors set. Children of all ages enjoy looking at books. Young children point to familiar objects, make the appropriate noise, for instance a fire engine; whilst older children ask questions about pictures. The introduction of new words such as 'unicorn' extends children's vocabulary; whilst the counting of everyday objects promotes their awareness of number; for example counting the wheels on vehicles and number of trees when on walks. Children are excited by new experiences, they eagerly make binoculars, rolling paper and use glue, lolly sticks and Sellotape with assistance, to create the desired effect. The use of differing resources enables all children to be included in activities such as their own fingers, large sponges and different sized brushes for painting and thick crayons and pencils for drawing. However activities offered do not yet fully promote the next stage in children's development. Visits to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

toddlers, soft play areas, the zoo and local places of interest such as Windmill City Farm, the museum and Lawrence Weston City Farm extend children's experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are clearly identified and met. This is achieved through regular discussion with parents and the adaptation of activities that enable all children to take part. The childminder has a positive approach to caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities and works effectively alongside parents and speech therapists to support individual children's development. Good settling-in procedures, use of comforters and routines consistent with home routines supports their well-being and promotes their sense of security. Children's sense of belonging is promoted through easily accessible photographs of themselves, individual cutlery, plates and cups and the option to take toys home. Children are proud of their achievements, proudly show off their drawing of a 'dragon' and 'leopard tent' to the childminder and visiting inspector. Children gain an awareness of people who are different from themselves

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Helping children make a positive contribution

from a sufficient range of resources that reflect positive images and the diversity of the children attending. Meaningful experiences through food, music, some craft activities and dressing up clothes promotes their awareness of the wider world around them.

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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 receive frequent praise and encouragement that promotes their self-esteem and sense of well-being. Young children eagerly sit close to the childminder. Her calm, clear, consistent and respectful approach and use of age appropriate strategies effectively helps children understand what is expected of them. Children's behaviour is good. They are interested in those around them; sharing toys and playing games such as 'peep-po'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the flexible approach and positive relationship between parents and the childminder. Parents are welcomed into the home and are well-informed of the childminder's policies and procedures through discussion, some written statements and an information notice board. Daily diaries including photographs and frequent discussion informs parents of their child's experiences.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are at ease within the childminder's home. The lay out of the play areas gives children space to move safely and independently. Young children easily access and self-select toys that are placed at floor level or from regularly rotated well organised storage containers and boxes. Low level surfaces provides children with space to investigate toys, draw and make things. Routines and flexible planning of the day supports children's developmental needs and ensures their individual needs are met. For example, the need for sleep and the taking to and collection from pre-school and school. The childminder considers the needs of children in the event of an emergency by identifying alternative minders known to the child. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to gain knowledge and develop her skills through training. For example, the NSPCC 'Child Protection Awareness Programme', 'Celebrating Diversity' and

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Organisation

Children's well-being is promoted through appropriate, accurate, clearly displayed and well-organised documentation that is stored confidentially. 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 provider was requested to make the following improvements: to consider and develop ways of promoting equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice; to ensure that details are recorded on all occasions when medication is given and to increase knowledge of child protection procedures and practice. These recommendations have been considered and steps taken to improve the provision. Resources, activities and meaningful experiences for children that promote their awareness of others and different ways of life have been extended; whilst the childminder has further developed her understanding of diversity through training. Procedures for the recording of medication are appropriate and the childminder's increased knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures through training promotes children's welfare and safeguards them from harm.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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): • further develop activities so that they promote the next steps in children's development in line with the Birth to three matters framework.

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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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