Redditch, St John Fisher Catholic First School

Inspection report for early years provision

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116912 Unique Reference Number 17 November 2006 Inspection date Joanne Graham 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 1993. She lives with her family in Caversham, Berkshire. The whole of the 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children on a part time basis. The childminder attends local parents/carer groups regularly. The family have no pets.

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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. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of hygiene procedures, ensuring children have a safe and clean place to play and eat. She cleans the toys, equipment and furniture regularly and wipes the younger children’s hands before and after they eat. She develops the older children’s understanding of good hygiene practices by providing individual towels, giving gentle reminders and being a good role model. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and the first aid box is easily accessible. This means she can give appropriate care if there is an accident. She obtains prior parental permission to act in a medical emergency and to administer medication. This ensures the child receives the correct medication and appropriate care in an emergency. However, the medication administered records do not confirm when the child had the last dosage from parents and parents do not sign when they are notified that the correct

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Helping children to be healthy

dosage has been administered by the childminder. Children rest and sleep according to their needs and routine and settle well as the childminder provides a tranquil and peaceful environment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are sufficiently nourished as the childminder ensures she prepares lunch and snacks provided by parents, according to their routines. Drinks are easily accessible to children in their individual cups and they access these when they require and when the childminder offers sensitive reminders. The childminder is fully aware of children’s dietary requirements and follows parental requests fully when preparing and storing their meals and snacks. This promotes children’s wellbeing. Children take part in regular physical activity both inside and outdoors boosting their development well. They access the secure garden in summer months and take regular walks to the local park, library and duck pond. At the park they access and use large equipment such as swings, slide and climbing frame, promoting their gross motor development well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder identifies most potential hazards and reduces risks for the children both inside and outdoors. This ensures they can move around safely, comfortably and independently. However, the childminder has not fully assessed potential risks if children access the third floor independently. For example, there are ranch style banisters, which children can easily climb. The children are beginning to develop an understanding of staying safe. They do not go through areas where there are stair gates, wear straps in the highchair and buggy and only enter the garden with the childminder. Children access and use suitable and safe equipment, which is age appropriate and suitable for their stage of development. The childminder ensures the toys and equipment are clean, in good repair and have no choke hazards. This promotes children’s safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder maintains good procedures to keep children safe on outings. She straps them into the buggy and suitable car seats, they wear wrist restraints when walking and she obtains written parental permission. However, the car insurance does not state it is valid for business

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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 use. Children are protected because the childminder understands her role with child protection issues and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. She up dates her knowledge through regular training, ensures she has correct documentation, which relates to the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board, to support this understanding and her awareness.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are becoming confident to make some decisions and are beginning to show preferences to their choices of toys and self-select with self-assurance. They receive good adult support and attention; the childminder recognises their gestures and signs and responds positively. For example, one child claps when she pushes a button to make music play on a toy and the childminder praises and acknowledges her effort and achievement. Children acquire new knowledge and skills, increasing their language and fine manipulative development well. They access self- rewarding talking playcentres, which respond with lights, music or sounds when the children press buttons and some children are beginning to stack building bricks into towers with good support from the childminder. The childminder follows the children's interests and extends their learning opportunities through sensitive interaction. The children welcome her

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

into their play and respond positively to her ideas and suggestions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have their individual needs met very well and the childminder demonstrates she has a good knowledge of their likes, preferred activities, interests and routines. She provides a good variety of age appropriate toys and equipment, which support the children's developmental stages and encourages them to participate. Children's learning benefits, as the childminder is attentive to their needs and encouraging of their achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children receive good care and attention from the childminder, contributing to them feeling settled and secure. The childminder works effectively with parents to ensure she is aware of children’s individual routines and follows these well to promote consistency and meet their needs. For example, children have additional sleep when the parents request this. Children are becoming aware of their own needs. They request drinks, access specific activities and go to sleep when in their cots. They make some informed choices and decisions as they self- select their chosen activities and access their drinks when they are thirsty. Children engage in suitable activities, have sufficient time to rest, play, and receive cuddles, support and affection from the childminder. Children feel a sense of belonging as the childminder has a good knowledge of their family context and ensures they take their favourite toys to bed when they sleep. They

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are happy, relaxed and secure to participate in activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder establishes good relationships with parents; she ensures she exchanges information daily to inform parents about their child’s progress and activities. This contributes well to ensuring the childminder follows the children’s own routines and continuity of care. The childminder has a good knowledge of the new complaint’s procedure and has procedures in place to record complaints when required. The parents’ poster is displayed, but the regulator’s

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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 contact details are incorrect. The children are aware of boundaries and their behaviour is good. The childminder is beginning to increase and develop their understanding of right from wrong. They respond positively to the childminder’s requests and instructions to develop their skills to share and take turns. The childminder introduces resources and toys to the children, which begin to promote positive images of diversity, increasing a positive attitude towards others. They visit places in the local community regularly, such as toddler groups, the park and library, to increase this image of others further.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a good understanding of the National Standards and has high regard for children’s welfare and safety. Relevant checks are in place for all household members who are sixteen years of age and over, and the childminder never leaves children alone with persons not vetted. The childminder has a good knowledge of child development and she is committed to attending further childcare training and development courses. This helps her to monitor and improve the care and education she offers to all children. Written policies and procedures work in practice to promote children’s health, safety and enjoyment.

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Organisation

The childminder provides a calm, welcoming and spacious environment for children to explore freely and she maintains ratios at all times. She organises the setting and routine to support the children in their play and to meet their needs. All mandatory documentation is in place and confidentiality is maintained. The childminder displays her certificate of registration during operational hours and makes sure parents are aware of her conditions of registration. 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 childminder had four recommendations. She now has suitable procedures in place to record all accidents and to accurately record children's arrival and departure times, and she makes sure contact numbers to discuss and report child protection issues are up to date and easily accessible. This safeguards children's welfare. Children's understanding of the wider world is fostered as the childminder has a good range of toys and resources that the children access on a daily basis. These include stories, dolls, doll sized wheelchair and small world figures.

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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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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 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): • make sure medication consent forms include details of the last dosage administered by parents and that parents sign to confirm they have been notified of medication administered by the provider • assess potential risks, with regards to children's stages of development, to the upstairs layout and minimise and adapt these when necessary • ensure parents have correct contact details of the regulator.

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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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