St Mary's RC Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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111707 Unique Reference Number 31 October 2006 Inspection date Susan, Esther Harvey 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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged four and seven in Chippenham, Wiltshire. Most of the house is used for childminding and 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 a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five and one child over five before and after school. The childminder drives to the local school to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. 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. Children are cared for in a clean home where they learn about effective hygiene routines and personal care. The diligent management of their personal hygiene, by the childminder, contributes to their good health. She is thorough in her expectation of children to follow a healthy lifestyle. For example, children have daily exercise as part of the childminder's planned routine of the day; this includes visits to the duck pond, soft play activities and various park-land walks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a recent first aid certificate and parents are made aware of the childminder's sick children's policy. However, further knowledge of notifiable infectious diseases is to be gained in order to report effectively to Ofsted. Young children develop a sense of being special to the childminder, as they are able to snuggle in when feeling unwell or distressed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents provide their children's main meals but children benefit from a good selection of healthy snacks provided by the childminder; which includes the option to have unlimited access to fruit throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean environment where toys are set-out ready for children to use on arrival. Young children have access to a good selection of clean and age appropriate toys. Older children are able to choose what they wish to play with from the wide range of toys and resources. For example, dressing up clothes hang in wardrobes upstairs and books are displayed in several book cases for easy access.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young children remain safe while sleeping as they are provided with their own room and beds. This enables them to sleep in comfort and undisturbed. Children are cared for in a safe home where all the risks have been identified and minimised. For example, doors leading from the property are secure and high security measures are in place before the childminder allows unauthorised people access to the home. The childminder has devised and practised an emergency escape plan. As a result, children are made aware of how to leave the premises safely and efficiently in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is enhanced through the childminder's diligent management and understanding of her responsibility to safeguard children. She has a clear understanding of child protection recording and reporting procedures. Therefore, children remain safe in her care.

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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. Young children receive excellent care. They are settled with the childminder and are able to learn through play. Young children benefit from the opportunity to build positive relationships with other children. Children flourish in the care of the childminder. There is a good balance between activities in the home and interesting outings, which include visits to the local library, physical soft play activities and outings to the zoo and local duck pond. As a result children are provided with a wide range of play and local community experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a range of activities which empowers them for life including cooking, shopping and growing vegetables.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is putting many aspects of the Birth to three matters framework into practise in her care for young children; this includes toys and resources to enable them to become playfully engaged and involved. Young children develop self-assurance and confidence through the close relationship with the childminder and her family.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are highly valued as individuals and cared for according to their individual needs. Young children are becoming independent through the encouragement of the childminder. An example of this is the ability to independently choose toys to play with, from the good range provided by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young children learn to have a positive feeling about themselves, through the skilful management and constant praise for good behaviour from the childminder. Children have access to a range of books reflecting diversity. Children are well integrated into the setting through the childminder's good organisation of the daily routine. As a result young children are able to feel secure.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationship between parents and the childminder, they are cared for in a family environment. The childminder is professional in the way parents are kept informed of the service she provides and the time children spend in her company. This includes a written contact book detailing young children's daily routine. The childminder frequently reviews her service with parents, who are provided with an agreement; this sets out clearly what the childminder will provide. Verbal feedback at the end of each session enables a good link between home and the childminder to be established. As a result children's individual needs are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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 Children benefit from the childminder's highly organised and efficient management of necessary documentation to promote the care, welfare and learning of children. Children are fully welcomed into a family environment, where the generous space available gives them the opportunity to freely select toys and resources. Young children gain from the routine of the day, which includes a good balance of time spent in the home and socialising at toddler groups. The childminder is exceptionally well organised in her use of time spent in the company of children. Children gain from the childminder's commitment to keep herself informed of changes, by attending a local childminding group and various courses. As a result this keeps her up-to-date with many aspects of childcare.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to: increase the range of toys and activities in order to meet the developmental needs of children from 6 to under 8 years; and request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has increased the selection of toys for children of all ages, which are kept in storage containers and changed regularly to give them variety of choice. Written parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice is provided by all parents. This has improved the childminder's record keeping and children's welfare.

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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 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): • obtained knowledge of notifiable infectious diseases in order to report effectively to Ofsted

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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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