Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Addlestone

Inspection report for early years provision

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125210 Unique Reference Number 13 December 2006 Inspection date Susan Jennifer Scott 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 has been registered since 1994. She lives with her husband and three older children. They live in a house in a residential area of Northfleet: there are shops, schools and pre-schools within a short distance. The whole of the property is available for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. There is a pet dog which can be kept apart from minded children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for four children under eight years; of these, not more than three may be under five years, and of these not more than one may be under one year. No overnight care is offered. At present the childminder cares for four children, three are aged under eight years and all attend on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder collects children from local schools each day.

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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 benefit from a home which is very clean and tidy, protecting their good health. The childminder follows good hygiene practice and explains routines so children learn the importance of personal hygiene. For example, they learn to wash their hands and when they need to do this. The childminder uses procedures which help to safeguard children from infections such as recording all children's immunisations.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder promotes children's healthy eating habits. She provides fresh foods and cooks meals which are healthy and appealing. For example, they eat freshly prepared roasts or home made lasagne. The childminder provides a balance of healthy and popular meals which are eaten together with the family at a large dining table. She also ensures children drink frequently, especially in warm weather to prevent dehydration.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder enables children to have opportunities for physical exercise. Children visit the local parks and play areas and sometimes have a 'rough and tumble' inside using cushions. They can use large play equipment in the garden, such as the bikes. This enables them to understand the need for regular exercise and fresh air as part of a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a secure, relaxed family environment with the childminder's own older children. They are made to feel welcome through being able to choose the rooms, toys and resources which they wish to use. This encourages them to feel settled and very confident in the childminder's home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access toys and resources by request, or they help themselves to a box in the hall. Children's interest is not always fully maintained as there are not plans to vary their experiences and capture their interest. However, this is balanced by the warm and welcoming environment where they are free to request games and pastimes which appeal to them. For example, the children all sit at the large dining table to eat with the family which promotes good communication and conversations between all the children and adults present.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe and the childminder encourages them to develop a sense of their own safety through using reminders about rough play inside the home. The childminder has recorded an emergency evacuation procedure to ensure children can be evacuated to safety should an emergency arise. Children are protected by the good precautions taken to prevent accidents and the insurance cover which is maintained by the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures; this helps to safeguard children's welfare.

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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 satisfactory. Children have good opportunities to develop their confidence and skills in the childminder's care. They are encouraged to participate in varied activities although these are not often planned, and occasionally they become disengaged; for instance, when they are watching television or using some of the toys in the box of resources. They eagerly respond to the positive suggestions made by the childminder's own children and play games which challenge them and maintain their interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to complete their homework as the childminder provides access to a laptop and various work books. For instance, children are encouraged to practise their reading and spelling with support from the childminder's older children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's knowledge of the local environment is extended through visits to the local parks and play areas during holiday times and they enjoy playing with the resources and toys kept for outdoor play. They use the garden to develop their physical skills, for example, by playing football or completing self built obstacle courses.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are encouraged to understand and respect differences through the use of a some resources that reflect positive images, so that they develop a balanced view of society. Their individual needs and background are valued and respected by the childminder who uses her knowledge of each child to guide her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with learning difficulties or disabilities are assessed to ensure they can be given the right care to meet their needs. The childminder provides stable care to support their development and encourage positive behaviour. The childminder uses very positive strategies to develop the children's understanding of how they should behave. For instance, children are encouraged to sit at the table to eat and to say 'Please' and 'Thank you' when they are given food or drinks. As a result, children respond very positively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are encouraged to exchange verbal information with the childminder to ensure continuity of care is offered between home and the setting. The childminder discusses information about the children's experiences and routines during the day when parent's collect them. Parents can access written information to inform them of the childcare practice when they first visit the childminder. The childminder is developing use of a daily diary to support her communication with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are welcomed into the childminder's family which helps them feel secure and confident. They benefit from well-organised space, time and adult support to enable their individual needs

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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 to be met successfully. The toys and resources are accessible although they rely on children being able to decide on and organise their own play which they happily do.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps records, policies and procedures for the efficient and safe management of the provision up to date. She is intending to develop her use of a daily diary to share information about children with their parents. 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 was recommended to address four issues which have mostly been completed successfully.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder is preparing to send off a form to obtain clearance for a 17 year old of the household; she has clearances for both adults in the household. The childminder has appropriate equipment to meet the needs of the minded children. All low-level glass panels are safe and she has obtained written permission from parents for transporting children in a vehicle.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the childminder or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The childminder is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which can be seen 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): • develop the use of the daily diary to promote communication between all parties involved in the care of children • provide a varied play experiences and access to resources which cover all types of play of a regular basis

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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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