St Maria Goretti Catholic Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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140298 Unique Reference Number 04 October 2006 Inspection date Maxine Rose 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered as a childminder in September 1990. She lives with her adult daughter in a three bedroom, top floor flat in a small block, off Crouch Hill, which is in the London Borough of Haringey. The areas of the premises available to minded children are the living room, kitchen and one bedroom.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time. There are three children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local toddler group and other local facilities on a regular basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children maintain strong bones and teeth because they eat nutritionally balanced meals throughout the day. Meals include natural ingredients such as fresh fruit, vegetables and drinking water. This helps to ensure children receive essential vitamins, fibre and minerals which

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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 supports a healthy digestive system. In some cases meals are specially prepared to cater for children’s individual dietary needs. For example food containing yeast and wheat are excluded as these ingredients cause some children to have allergic reactions. Whilst the children have healthy appetites the arrangements for eating do not always ensure children are appropriately seated. The childminder applies a range of measures to maintain children’s health. All children wash their hands before meals and crawling babies are able to explore a range of play materials because the childminder maintains a clean home environment. The childminder is trained in first aid. She keeps suitable record keeping systems which include details of medication given to children and consent for emergency treatment. This helps to ensure children’s health is

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Helping children to be healthy

appropriately safeguarded. The daily programme enables children to enjoy trips to the local play park where they can exert their energy to fullest when running, walking, skipping and climbing on apparatus.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder implements some practical measures that help to ensure children are safe in the home but some measures are compromised because the childminder is over-minding. The childminder is caring for two children under the age of one year however part of her registration conditions permits her to care for one child under one year at any one time. Therefore the childminder is in breach of her conditions because she has not maintained the correct adult and child ratios. Other safety features that do work well for children are secure locks on doors and windows, fire guards, smoke alarms, practical storage, furniture and resources. Children learn which areas of the home are suitable for them because of secure boundaries. They can also use of range of resources like cots, construction sets and puzzles because these have been pre-checked for hazards and durability. The childminder is aware of her role and responsibility

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

where child protection matters are concerned. The childminder’s knowledge and experience helps to ensure children are appropriately safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Each day the children choose from a range of fun and interesting play materials that help them make progress in all areas of their development. The children are excited by the play opportunities available to them. They readily take part in role play activities where they use a range of ‘household’ accessories and dressing up clothes to express new ideas. A selection of books fiction and non-fiction stimulates children to have lively discussions and encourages them to count and sing with joy. The children are motivated by practical tasks such as threading bobbins and concentrate with propose as they apply careful hand and eye coordination. Older children are considerate and caring towards babies. For instance older children make room for babies as they crawl, they touch them softly and talk about the babies with affection. Such gentle engagement between the children is encouraged by the childminder because she actively

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

promotes positive relations amongst children. There are other useful ways in which children learn appropriate social skills. For example children practise saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ when they receive or make a request. Also the children are warmly praised for their efforts which boost their confidence and make them strive to achieve more.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are treated with equal concern. The childminder makes children feel welcome in her home by arranging the settling-in procedure to suit their individual needs. For instance in some cases parents are able to spend more or less time with their children dependent upon the level of progress the child makes in the settling-phase. During this period the childminder works closely with the parents and carers to aid a smooth transition for the children. The parents can receive daily feedback on their children’s development. In turn parents and carers supply useful information about their children’s sleep and eating patterns. The results are children settle well because they eat food and enjoy a routine that is compatible with their home life. There are no children with special needs attending the setting. The childminder demonstrates clearly how she would make adaptations to activities and the routine to ensure children with special needs

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are fully included. The children behave well. They practice sharing and turn-talking and are praised for their efforts. This develops children’s confidence and helps them to form friendships.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder is operating in breach of her registration conditions because she is minding two children under the age of one year which is more than her registration condition permits. Also the certificate of registration is not clearly displayed for the purpose of inspection. Parents are aware of the registration certificate however the certificate needs to be displayed in a prominent place at all times. The childminder maintains all necessary documentation and record keeping systems up to date and in a confidential manner. In the last year the childminder attended training on the 'Birth to Three Matters' framework. She uses her knowledge well to help children make progress in all areas of their development for example children have a varied selection of age appropriate books to choose from these also help children to develop their communication skills. The space and resources in the childminder’s home is organised well to

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Organisation

ensure children have easy access and more choices. The children are able to select books, dolls and puzzles because of practical storage units that are positioned at their level. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulations and set in place a procedure to notify Ofsted of relevant matters such as when you wish to vary the conditions of registration to care for more children. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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