St Austin's Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

104806 Unique Reference Number 12 July 2006 Inspection date Michael Collins Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1992. She lives with her husband and three adult children. They live in a semi-detached house in Barnstaple, within walking distance of the town centre, schools and other amenities. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed rear garden. The family have one dog, a cat and some goldfish. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, and currently there are seven children between the ages of one-year-old and nine-years-old attending at various times.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the Devon Childminding Association and the National Childminding Association. She also receives support from the local authority.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder plans a good variety of activities, which contribute to the children's good health and physical development. There are regular outside activities, which aid the children’s physical development. For example, they play in the rear garden, go to local parks, and regularly visit local playgroups and childminder drop-in sessions.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides snacks that appeal to children and meet their dietary requirements. She works closely with parents to ensure she caters to children’s individual routines and needs. For example, by using the food prepared by the parents and working in partnership with them to wean children, or to expand their food experience. She also provides fresh fruit and vegetables, and avoids certain foods because of agreements with parents. Drinks, chosen by the parents, of milk, water or juice are always available to the children in order to maintain their fluid levels.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a welcoming and clean environment. The childminder protects and promotes children’s health through good cleaning regimes and constant vigilance. Children learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care through example and discussion. This attention to detail ensures that the childminder is able to support children’s growing understanding of why they must wash their hands before eating, and after various activities. This, in turn, helps to reduce the risk of cross contamination. The childminder acts in the best interests of children to keep them healthy or should they be unwell. She keeps good medical records and paperwork, and holds a current first aid certificate.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a welcoming, well-maintained, and child-friendly environment. She identifies and minimises risks to children by having the correct safety equipment and procedures in place. This enables children to explore their environment and to move around safely and independently. However, although there is a good emergency evacuation procedure in place, it has not been practised with the children. The childminder supervises children vigilantly and consistently helps them understand how to keep themselves safe. For example, by gently reminding children to use equipment safely, take turns, and be aware of others.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to, and do, confidently self-select activities from a good range of appropriate toys and resources, which meet safety standards and are easily accessible to them. The childminder warmly supports and supervises children’s choices, making sure they are safe and appropriate. She makes sure children use activities and resources with safety and purpose, thereby supporting children’s learning and enhancing their understanding of personal safety.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

To promote and safeguard children’s welfare the childminder has all the required documentation in place. Her obvious commitment to safeguarding children is supported by the fact that she

p.3

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 has recently attended a child-protection training course, and has a good understanding of this area in line with the local Safeguarding Children Board.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder plans a good variety of activities, for instance: sand and water play; story times; visits to the local park; art and craft; and quiet times. She also takes a flexible approach to planning, taking into account children’s own routines and needs, parental wishes, and other factors such as the weather. She challenges and encourages children to take part in activities appropriate to their age and stage of development, and consistently celebrates and records their successes. All of this contributes to the children's enjoyment, growing understanding, and sense of achievement. Her growing understanding of the Birth to three matters Framework has enabled her to establish good photographic records of activities and achievements for all age groups. These are much loved by the children, who are very proud of their records, and act as a good source of information for parents.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy, confident and very settled in the childminder's house, clearly making themselves comfortable and feeling at home. The relaxed and friendly atmosphere allows children to make their own choices confidently, and they are thoroughly absorbed and happy in their play. The childminder actively supports the children in these choices, and is able to guide younger children towards more suitable items or activities, when necessary. All of this helps to strengthen children’s independence and promote their sense of well-being and confidence.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children spend their time constructively and with purpose. Whether this is increasing their mobility through toddling safely inside or out, or increasing their physical control and imagination by playing with dressing up clothes, art and craft materials or sensory toys, they clearly enjoy their time with the childminder, benefiting from a warm, secure and nurturing environment.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder helps children and parents feel welcome in her home by taking individual need, family background, and parental wishes into consideration, and acting upon them. The childminder now provides a good range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world. For example, various books and resources are available in the home, and the childminder uses other local facilities, such as a toy library, to supplement these.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder knows the children well and has developed warm and caring relationships with them. Children are valued and thoroughly respected as individuals. This encourages and supports them to interact co-operatively and to show growing care and concern for themselves and their environment. The childminder fosters and supports good behaviour very well. By setting consistent boundaries and ensuring that children learn about these, she supports their growing understanding of right and wrong, and as a result, the children’s behaviour is excellent. This, coupled with the consistent positive reinforcement the childminder uses to support good

p.4

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 behaviour, is a particular strength she has, and benefits the children’s growing social skills enormously.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in partnership with parents very well. She provides parents with daily diaries for each child, including information about: activities; food; naps; and events. She is also developing exemplary photographic records of children’s activities and achievements. Both of these approaches helps to ensure parents are aware of their children’s activities and behaviours, and they are able to discuss achievements and plan for events with the childminder.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder’s good organisation and commitment to her own development has enabled her to provide aspects of care, which are sometimes outstanding. For example, the children’s records of activity and achievement. She provides a well-maintained and well-organised environment. This ensures children feel welcome, comfortable and safe. It also enables them to make choices and be confident to play or rest, as they desire.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder, who is part of a network and has achieved accreditation status with the Devon Childminding Association, consistently implements her good policies and procedures successfully, to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. She maintains the required documentation very well, and both written and verbal information is shared on a regular basis with parents, to keep them informed of their children's activities and achievements.

p.5

Organisation

The children's individual needs are well met by the childminder, who makes sure she has all the information required to care for the children, as their parents would wish. All of this contributes to the continuity and good quality of care provided for the children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made very good progress since the last inspection, where it was recommended that the she increase resources which positively reflect the wider community and world. She has obtained a very good selection of resources which give positive images of culture, race, gender and disability. She has also become part of a childminding network and uses this, and the local toy library, to supplement her resources.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

p.5

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.

p.5

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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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 that the existing evacuation plan is regularly practised with the children.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6