St Gabriel's RC High School

Inspection report for early years provision

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105367 Unique Reference Number 23 October 2006 Inspection date Jean Williams 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 has been registered since 1994. She lives with her husband and four children in Slough. The family live in a house. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with bathroom and sleep facilities available on the first floor. The property is within walking distance of local schools, shops and amenities. There is a fully enclosed garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years. There are currently two children on roll, who have part and full time places.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have goldfish and a hamster as pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends a local carer and toddler group.

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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's health is well promoted and protected by the good standards of hygiene within the home. Children are learning about the importance of personal hygiene through the examples and positive role models set by the childminder. Through the clear explanations given by the childminder, children are learning to wash their hands before and after eating meals. While the childminder keeps clear accidents and medication records that are signed by parents as required, she has failed to obtain prior written parental consent to apply creams and lotions to children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical health and the development of their gross motor skills are well promoted by the childminder. They have regular opportunities to play in the garden, walk to school on a daily basis, feed the ducks and have frequent visits to local parks when they are able to run, play football and take advantage of the open space. Younger children also enjoy visits to the local parent and toddler groups where they can meet their friends.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure that the children's dietary needs are met. She is flexible about either providing food for the children or feeding them food that the parents have provided. The childminder has a good awareness of the children's dietary needs and their individual preferences. She offers a varied diet which includes spaghetti bolognaise, meat and vegetables. Puddings consist of yoghurt and fresh fruit. Drinks are available to the children at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from being cared for in a home that is clean, comfortable and well maintained. The childminder has good daily routines that she organises to fit in with the children so that their individual needs are met. The children have plenty of clear space in which to play safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and babies use good quality toys and equipment that are appropriate for their ages and stages of development. Toys and resources are stored so that they are easily accessible to children. The childminder has a good range of play materials that she provides in rotation which means that children enjoy a good variety and are kept interested and stimulated. The childminder supervises young children closely to ensure their overall safety is maintained at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder ensures that she provides a safe environment both in the home and garden. She has taken good steps to remove any potential hazards and carries out regular checks to ensure that children can come to no harm whilst in the setting. The childminder has good strategies in place when out walking with the children. They are learning that they must hold onto the buggy and walk on the inside away from the road. Older children are allowed to walk in front of the childminder but are reminded not to get too far ahead.

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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's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a good knowledge of the signs and symptoms of possible child abuse. She understands the child protection procedures to follow if she has concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Minded children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. Interaction between the minder and the children is warm and positive which promotes their confidence. The baby responds to the childminder with big smiles and lots of baby babble. She is aware of his needs and responds appropriately to him. He enjoyed interaction with the childminder's own son when he talked to him and handed him toys.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a wide range of toys and play resources that are clean and in good condition. They are stored so that children are able to access them easily which enables them to make independent choices. The childminder rotates the collection of play materials, as a result, children are interested and make good use of the toys.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans her day around the routines of the children giving them time to relax and play. She encourages the children in their chosen activities and supports them well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy and content in the care of the childminder because she knows them well and responds to their individual needs. All children have access to all the available toys and the activities offered provided they are suitable for their age and stage of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged and enabled to learn about themselves, other people and the wider world. They are provided with a generally good range of toys and books that represent positive images of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is teaching the children the differences of right and wrong and to share. She has regular daily routines and consistent boundaries which give the children a sense of security and helps them to know what is expected of them. The childminder has good strategies in place to deal with any unwanted behaviour that the children may display. Any concerns about children's behaviour are shared with parents to ensure that they are receiving consistent care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive relationship that the childminder has formed with the parents. They are welcomed into the home and are given regular verbal feedback about the children's day and the activities that have taken place within the setting.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children thrive in a warm, caring, family environment. They are happy, relaxed and contented, consequently they benefit from being cared for in a well-organised home. Children receive appropriate levels of support from the childminder and good relationships have been formed.

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Organisation

Children enjoy a wide range of stimulating and creative resources that promote their development in all areas. Resources are easily accessible and the childminder responds quickly to the children's interests and needs.

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Organisation

Documentation is mostly well maintained, however, whilst a register of attendance is kept as is required, the childminder has been recording the children's contracted hours of attendance rather than their actual time of attendance. The childminder shares her policies verbally with the parents. Information kept about the children is relevant and promotes their welfare. Regular informal discussions with parents ensure continuity of care for the children is maintained. The childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has successfully completed the improvements she was asked to make at the last inspection. They were: to ensure consents are held from parents to take the children on outings and to ensure that parents are requested to sign all medication and accidents records and receive a copy of the documentation completed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Parents have provided prior written consent for their children to be taken on outings. The childminder has purchased a book in order that she can record accidents and medication administered to the children. Parents receive a copy of all entries.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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): • ensure that written parental consent is obtained to apply creams and lotions • ensure that the children's actual hours of attendance are recorded.

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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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