St Paul's Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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103457 Unique Reference Number 30 August 2006 Inspection date Linda Patricia Coccia 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 was registered in 1989. She lives with her husband and adult children in Gillingham, Kent. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under the age of six years. On rare occasions she works with an assistant. The childminder walks to local pre-schools to take and collect children and attends a local parent/toddler group. The family has a pet cat.

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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 encouraged to go to the toilet on their own but the childminder makes it clear to them that they can ask for help if they need it. Satisfactory personal hygiene procedures ensure that children learn about hand washing and why they need to be kept clean.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered a reasonable selection of food which is healthy and nutritious. They are able to choose from a variety of snacks and fruit. The childminder works well with parents in this area and they have the option to provide meals or packed lunches if they want.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children also benefit from regular physical exercise as there is a suitable range of physical play equipment available both in the garden and indoors, for example, the indoor ball pit. They take regular walks to the local parks or the local Strand with the childminder. Children enjoy physical exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The premises are light and airy and child friendly. The children are able to move around freely between the kitchen and lounge areas. Children mainly use the lounge where a selection of toys are made readily available. Children use appropriately sized furniture and equipment suitable for their ages. For example, a range of different sized tables and seating are available. Equipment is kept clean and hygienic. Children use suitable equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Emergency evacuation procedures and fire safety equipment are in place. However the childminder has not yet practised them to ensure she can keep the babies and young children safe in an emergency. Children are also kept safe when out walking with the childminder. She uses suitable procedures to ensure that young children are able to learn about road safety from her example and, as they become more able, can join her in practising them. Children learn to keep themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe from harm and neglect as the childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues, which are discussed with parents. She also uses satisfactory procedures to ensure that suitable persons collect children at home time. Children's well being is promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. A range of appropriate toys are provided for the children to play with, to ensure appropriate areas of development are catered for. Children happily play with touch and press toys, construction toys and role play equipment. Younger babies and toddlers are able to crawl around freely and choose the toys they want to play with which are available on the floor around the room.

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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 The childminder mainly looks after young children but occasionally, during school holiday periods, she looks after older siblings. Older children are able to keep themselves busy with activities such as using play dough, art and craft materials, or watching different types of insects and birds living in the garden. The childminder provides appropriate equipment such as binoculars and magnifying glasses for these sorts of activities. Children have the opportunity to learn about their environment. The childminder's routine ensures that children get appropriate amounts of rest and sleep. Children receive appropriate care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder promotes equality of opportunity for children. For example, they are encouraged to join in with all activities regardless of gender or ability such as playing football in the garden. She discusses their individual needs with their parents. However the childminder acknowledges that she has few positive images of race or culture among the toys and books. Children's individual requirements are catered for.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children benefit from the childminder's use of appropriate behaviour management strategies such as distraction and time out. The childminder talks to children about why their behaviour may be unacceptable for example, not sharing toys or not saying please and thank you. Children learn about behaviour boundaries and good manners.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a suitable working relationship with parents. Children's development information is shared with parents verbally at the end of the day, although parents may request written information. Children benefit from continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has been caring for children for many years. She holds a current paediatric first aid certificate. All adults in the household have been vetted and hold current Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checks. The childminder's daughter occasionally works as her assistant.

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Organisation

The childminder has acceptable levels of paperwork completed on each child. Her attendance register is marked daily and all relevant paperwork is shared with parents. The childminder has completed a service contract with parents which is regularly reviewed. Children's records are confidential and stored appropriately. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has not followed a previous recommendation to assess current toys and equipment for positive images of race, disability and gender. However she has discussed this issue with parents. This remains as a recommendation for this inspection.

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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

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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 children have the opportunity to practise the emergency evacuation procedures. • ensure children have the opportunity to play with and see positive images of race, disability and gender.

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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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