St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Cullercoats

Inspection report for early years provision

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148450 Unique Reference Number 07 December 2006 Inspection date Claudia Padfield 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 outstanding. 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 1992. She lives with her husband and their two teenage children. They live in a house in Woodley, the property is close to local shops, schools and amenities. The childminder is registered to care for six children and currently has four children on role. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a pet dog. The childminder attends the local toddler group on a regular basis and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are developing their physical skills through the extremely good range of activities and opportunities available to them within the home, garden and outings. Children experience a

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 wide variety of outings within the weekly planning to access physical activities outside the home. These include visits to toddlers and walks with the dog. Children have access to an excellent range of safe, age and stage appropriate equipment within the home. This enables children to begin to develop both small and large muscle skills and develop confidence in their physical abilities. For example the child present spent time making Christmas cards with rub on foil colours, carefully filling in the small spaces.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children stay healthy because the childminder has highly effective procedures in place to ensure good standards of hygiene and to minimise potential for the spread of infection. The childminder gives high priority to ensuring that children's individual needs are met, particularly in relation to hygiene. Children have their own drinking glasses at the setting, the child present knew her glass by the picture painted on it. The childminder encourages children to follow good hygiene routines in the bathroom. Children are encouraged to learn about hygiene issues in a fun way by the use of themed topics.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is extremely aware of any specific health issues and problems regarding the children in her care. She updates her knowledge via the parents and effectively ensures she meets any specific health needs of the children on a daily basis. This ensures the on-going continuity of care between home and the setting. The childminder holds all of the required documentation and extensive policies and procedures are in place to record accidents and administration of medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder promotes healthy eating within her home. Children receive healthy, well-balanced meals and snacks. Mealtimes are a very sociable occasion with the children and the childminder sitting together, they chat about the food they are eating and events in the children's lives. The childminder is able to give effective support to young children who are beginning to learn to feed themselves in a relaxed and sociable way. The childminder encourages the children to develop their own independence skills ensuring they have washed their hands after visiting the bathroom.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a very clean and welcoming environment, which is effectively organised so they can move freely selecting toys and activities of choice. The childminder has an extensive range of polices and procedures in place to ensure the children are protected at all times. The childminder encourages the children to participate in keeping safe through discussion and daily routines. For example children listen and look for cars when crossing the road. During planned activities they cover topics such as fire safety and use the local fire station as a learning experience.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Through flexible planning the childminder ensures she meets each child's developmental needs. The toys and equipment are regularly checked through careful risk assessments demonstrating a high regard for the children's safety. The childminder has a first aid certificate and is able to deal with minor incidents effectively. The childminder has a comprehensive knowledge and awareness of the signs and symptoms of child abuse. She has completed further training to

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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 increase her knowledge, which is supported by extensive procedures to follow should a concern arise. This ensures the welfare and safety of children at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children are confident, settled and extremely relaxed in the care of the childminder. The range of activities are planned to consider each child's developmental needs. Children enthusiastically select toys and resources they wish to use from a wide variety available. During the inspection the child present insisted on playing 'Uno' and enjoyed the challenge of beating the childminder, who cleverly discussed strategies with the child to enable her to plan good use of her cards and numbers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children thrive because of the childminder's detailed knowledge of child development and she recognises the importance of play in children's learning. The interaction between the childminder and children is excellent as she participates and extends their play, using skilful questioning to develop children's understanding. During games they develop an understanding of the need to follow rules as the child comments "you're being horrible today" and she has to pick up four more cards. She then laughs as she returns the next card and the childminder has to miss her turn.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children's learning is planned using Birth to three matters and the foundation stage. Activities are adapted to provide a suitable level of challenge and interest. Children are proud of their achievements and eagerly discuss the photographs of past activities. They remember who was there on the day and what happened. Information about the day's routine are shared with parents and daily diaries reflect the skills and learning of the children attending.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for by an attentive and supportive childminder who works effectively with parents to meet their individual needs very well. She values and respects their individuality and the family context of the child, making sure all children are listened to and can voice an opinion. Children are extremely settled and demonstrate high levels of self esteem. The childminder knows all the children in her care extremely well, children develop a positive attitude and become aware of the wider community through visits and discussion.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is very good, they follow rules and instructions tidying away one activity before starting a fresh one. The childminder successfully acts as a good role model and children have a growing understanding of right and wrong. Children are highly valued and daily dairies ensure parents are informed of activities and events at the childminders. This provides a continuity of care and contributes to the good health, safety and well being of the children.

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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 outstanding. Children flourish in the well organised environment where they receive good support to help them feel secure and confident. The childminder uses her time well and her flexible approach allows the children the opportunity move freely and pursue their own ideas. The comprehensive range of documentation supports the childminder in her day to day care of the children to ensure they are settled and at home. Children receive a very high level of support from the childminder when playing together or in one to one situations. This means they are extremely confident and self-assured to initiate and extend their own play and learning.

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Organisation

The childminder uses her excellent range of policies and procedures to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. These are clearly written and available to parents at all times. Parents receive information daily, which keeps them well informed about the service the childminder provides. This contributes to the consistent continuity of care. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure the last dose of medication is recorded, this has been set in place in order to protect the children 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.

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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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