St Patrick's Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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149626 Unique Reference Number 01 November 2006 Inspection date Sarah Catherine Jex 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 1994. She lives with her husband two children aged 15 and 18 in the town of Hitchin in Hertfordshire.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Most of the ground floor of the childminders house is used for childminding and a bedroom upstairs is used for children who need a sleep. 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 three children at any one time and is currently minding for two children at various times and days of the week. The childminder walks to the local pre-schools to take and collect children along with attending local childminder support groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has a pet dog and a pond containing fish.

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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 beginning to learn the importance of good personal hygiene through appropriate role modelling, well organised activities and routines devised by the childminder. Children are beginning to understand why it is important to wash their hands regularly and to keep the toys and resources clean. Children are protected from infection because the childminder is well informed about children’s health care matters and has procedures in place regarding children who become ill or have been diagnosed with an infectious or contagious condition. Potentially children may not receive appropriate treatment following accidents because the childminder does not hold a current first aid certificate. Accidents are recorded and signed by parents and suitable documentation is in place to record any medication administered to children following written parental consent being given.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with snacks that include savoury items and fruit. They sit together at the table to eat, learn manners and social skills. Children are encouraged to drink regularly and are beginning to understand why it is important for their health. Each child's individual requirements regarding allergies and preferences are discussed with their parents to ensure they are offered appropriate choices.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to play outside and enjoy the fresh air. Children are encouraged to play in the garden together. They go for walks around the local area with the childminder. They visit parks close by that have fixed equipment for them to practise physical skills such as climbing and enjoy going to the stables to see the childminders' horse. They are developing self confidence in their physical skills as they use a range of indoor and outdoor toys and equipment. All children are able to fully participate in the activities because the childminder uses her experience and knowledge of child development to adapt these to a suitable level.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in an environment which allows them to be relaxed and generally feel very much at home. There is space to play, explore and move independently and the childminder is alert in her supervision. Children are safe in and around the home and potential risks are minimised. For example, by having plug sockets covered, sharp knives inaccessible and a good security procedure in place. Children are reminded by the childminder to be careful when playing and are encouraged to help tidy toys away when they have finished with them to ensure a safe environment is maintained. Children begin to learn about safe practices when out walking and crossing the road. For example, the childminder talks to them about looking and listening for traffic, they walk together and younger children hold on to the buggy or each other's hands. Children's knowledge and understanding of emergency evacuation is restricted as it is not

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

practised, therefore this compromises their safety and wellbeing.

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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 Children have access to a suitable range of toys and equipment and individual needs are mostly met. They are able to freely choose the available resources from storage boxes at child height. Children experience different play environments due to the childminder incorporating outings within the daily routine to the local park and visiting friends and other childminders.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of her responsibility to protect the children in her care and has an understanding of child protection procedures. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder understands the importance of recording and reporting any child protection concerns and to maintain confidentiality when managing such issues.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are provided with a range of adult and child led activities. They have formed good relationships with the childminder that enables them to feel safe and have a good sense of belonging. The childminder is aware of the children's developmental needs and is helping them to develop their personalities by giving them access to a suitable range of developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor activities. Children have opportunities to explore and experiment with the resources and activities by the childminder allowing them time and space to do so. For example, putting the train track together, linking up the engines and carriages and putting the figures in which has a cause and effect to get the train moving. This involves the children in taking turns and sharing. The childminder is on hand to offer guidance and reassurance. The childminder interacts with the children during their play and her kind warm approach encourages

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the children to respond to her. This helps the children feel relaxed and at ease in their environment. The childminder is aware of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, but at present does not use it. The childminder identified and agreed to extend her current practice by demonstrating how her play opportunities are planned and evaluated, this would enhance her practice and the children would benefit from having access to a wider and more challenging variety of activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's social and language development is being enhanced by the interaction with the childminder at their own level. They are beginning to develop their communication skills as they attract the attention of the childminder who responds to their sounds and single words during play. For example, when playing with the kitchen and tea set, the child was using single words, sounds and gesturing that she wanted to take make the tea and go on a picnic with her dollies and the other child. The childminder clearly knows the child well as she was able to decipher these gestures and language, thus avoiding the child becoming despondent and frustrated. This allowed the child to continue to play. Children have opportunities to socialise with others as they visit friends and enjoy trips in the local community. They are encouraged to talk about their experiences out in the community such as going for cake in a coffee shop

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and going to feed the horse a carrot. Therefore, children's confidence and self-esteem is generally promoted.

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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 are treated as individuals they have free choice of the play materials that show positive images of diversity. They are beginning to learn about the wider world as they travel to and from pre-school, visit friends and local parks. The childminder is confident to talk to them and to answer any questions they have about people who are different to themselves. The childminder is willing to take on any child as long as she is confident she can meet their needs effectively after careful discussion with their parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is managed effectively. The childminder is proactive when children display challenging behaviour. For example, at times the children are overly dominant towards each other, they tease and take toys away. They listen to the childminder who gains their attention and uses the strategies she describes such as explanation and distraction. Children are aware of the boundaries because the childminder is consistent in her approach. For example, through gentle discussion, reminders and reassurance the children are beginning to understand and learn to take turns and share The children respond well to this way of dealing with the situations and it has a positive impact on the children's self-esteem, confidence and behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a positive working relationship with the parents. Children's needs are met through the daily routine as discussed with their parents. The childminder ensures that daily discussion about the care she provides keeps the parents informed about their child's achievement and progress. All relevant parental consents and documentation is in place which contributes to the well-being of the children whilst in her care. Parents are aware of how to make a complaint but there is no system to record them. Therefore the children’s welfare is not fully safeguarded.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are relaxed and feel secure and comfortable within the environment provided. The organisation of space, flexible routine and support offered by the childminder helps encourage the children's confidence and independence. This ensures that their basic individual needs are being met. Children are happy and confident when initiating their own play and exploration activities and when sharing these with others, they seek adult support when needed. The childminder successfully organises her day to ensure children are provided with fun activities whilst at the same time she ensures their daily routines are maintained. This contributes to the children's well-being and their pleasure and enjoyment.

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Organisation

Records are shared regularly with the parents and they can access these at any time. Verbal information is provided regularly about their child's progress and achievements. This contributes to a trusting relationship which impacts positively on the children. The childminder has followed appropriate procedures to ensure that all members of the household are vetted and suitable. Overall, the children's needs are met.

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Organisation

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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to complete the following recommendations :

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Improvements since the last inspection

provide a range of resources reflecting positive images of diversity to meet equal opportunity requirements, increase her knowledge and understanding of procedures regarding infectious, notifiable and communicable diseases, and serious injury or death and to increase knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has addressed all these issues. A variety of resources have been purchased, activities planned and through conversations the children now have the opportunity to learn about positive images of diversity. The childminder has increased knowledge and procedures regarding infectious, notifiable and communicable diseases. the childminder's knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures have been enhanced by reviewing previous course materials and updating herself of knowing what to do if she had a concern about a child in her care.

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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. 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): • Complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • ensure children develop an understanding of the fire evacuation procedures and provide evidence of this in your practice • keep a record of complaints relating to the National Standards and any action taken

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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 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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