St Aloysius RC Voluntary Aided Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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108720 Unique Reference Number 26 July 2006 Inspection date Alison Weaver 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 for about 15 years. She lives with her husband and three adult children. They live in a house in a residential area of Hailsham, near to schools, parks and shops. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding five children of varying ages.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis.

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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 cared for in a clean and well-maintained environment. They learn about good personal hygiene through effective everyday routines. They wash their hands after visiting the toilet and before meals. The childminder encourages children to brush their teeth after eating sticky foods. Effective hygiene practices adopted by the childminder, including for nappy changing, contributes to keeping children healthy. An effective sick child policy, clear accident procedures and the childminder's up-to-date first aid training means that she can act in the best interest of children should they become poorly or have an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about healthy eating through the meals and snacks the childminder provides. Fresh fruit is always available to the children. They enjoy a variety of freshly cooked meals, which they help prepare. The children have fun making their own pizzas with homemade dough and different toppings. Children find out about what is good to eat as they learn how to grow salads and vegetables in the garden. They dig up and pick the vegetables to use for the meals. Drinks are readily accessible to children, particularly in hot weather, which helps prevent them getting dehydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Physical activities are a regular feature of the day and good use is made of the garden. They experience a number of outings including going on walks. Children are also able to rest and sleep when they need to, particularly in the hot weather when they get very tired. These opportunities help contribute to children’s good health and improve their physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a secure and well-organised home where risks are minimised effectively. The necessary safety precautions are in place, including putting a fireguard around the fish tank to minimise the potential hazard of the glass. The childminder reinforces safety in the home by the ground rules she uses with the children, for example, not running indoors. An appropriate evacuation plan and smoke alarms contribute to keeping children safe in the event of a fire. There is a fire blanket available but it is not easily accessible in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Toys and resources are age appropriate and well maintained so that children can play free from harm. The children learn the importance of playing with their smaller toys away from babies so that they do not come to harm. The children are supervised well at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Effective procedures for the collection of children and the childminder’s good general knowledge of child protection procedures contribute to the safeguarding of children. In addition, the childminder has clear procedures for outings to help keep children safe whilst in her care; for example, emergency contacts are in place and a first aid kit is taken with them. The children develop a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe when out, as they practise crossing roads and talk about stranger danger with the childminder.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and happy in the warm, friendly and caring atmosphere. They confidently make themselves at home, choosing from age appropriate toys and activities, which challenge and stimulate them. Children enjoy participating in the wide variety of activities provided, including different crafts and imaginary play. They have fun outside making dens and ‘painting’ with water and brushes. Older children organise fashion shows and discos. Children benefit from a range of interesting experiences outside the home, including outings to the zoo, farms and parks. Older children enjoy going to the shops to buy bagels.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children play very happily together in the setting. Children relate well to each other, sharing toys and helping each other make them work. Children play with the babies, making them laugh and smile as they chat to them to distract them when they get upset. The childminder devotes her time to playing with the children and supporting them in their play. As they have fun, the children develop and learn new skills, such as cooking and gardening. They plant and care for the sunflowers growing in the plot in the garden.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The positive interaction by the childminder helps the children to achieve and learn to be independent. The childminder encourages the less confident children to try to do things for themselves, for example, putting on shoes. The childminder builds good, close, caring relationships with the children. They communicate easily together, chatting about what they are doing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's awareness of the wider world is promoted by the use of a satisfactory range of resources, a few of which include images of disability. The childminder chats to the children about differences in a positive way. She extends children’s understanding of diversity through some craft and cooking activities so that they learn how other people live and eat. For example, they learn about Chinese New Year as they make lanterns and eat with chopsticks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder works closely with parents to support children and meet their individual needs. The childminder does not have experience in working with children with special needs but has completed training in this aspect of childcare so has an awareness of the necessary care and support.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s self-esteem develops as the childminder praises and encourages them. Their achievements and good behaviour are celebrated by the use of the sticker chart. The children develop an understanding of appropriate behaviour as the childminder calmly explains about right and wrong to them. Children learn to show care and concern for others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides some written detail about her procedures and practices to parents but this is not all up to date. There are a few policies in place that give parents some idea of the type of childcare she offers. There is a daily verbal exchange of information with parents

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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 to help provide consistent care for each child. Parents appreciate the two-way communication with the childminder and are very happy with the care she provides.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children receive appropriate support from the childminder and benefit from a day that meets their daily routine needs. As a result, children feel settled and secure. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

The majority of the required documentation and consents are in place and satisfactorily maintained. The childminder is unclear whether consents for outings and public transport are in place. Overall, the documentation helps to support the care of children and complies with the regulations. The childminder protects children in the way that she ensures that students on work experience do not have unsupervised access to the children. The childminder keeps herself informed of some current childcare practices by attending further training, including courses on behaviour management, inclusion training and science in the home. She does not have up to date knowledge of the changes to the National Standards and the complaints procedures.

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Organisation

The childminder has breached the regulations as she has failed to inform Ofsted about changes to adults living on the premises. This potentially puts children at risk from unsuitable persons. However, in this case the impact on the care of minded children is minimal as it involves three family members and the childminder does not leave them on their own with the children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that all household members underwent appropriate checks. The childminder has failed to do so and this remains an issue that must be addressed.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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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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

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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): • install the fire blanket in a suitable place • develop knowledge of the recent changes to the National Standards, with particular regard to the complaints procedure • ensure that all household members aged 16 years and over complete the appropriate checks for Ofsted.

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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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