Holy Family Catholic School

Inspection report for early years provision

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103106 Unique Reference Number 15 December 2006 Inspection date Nicola Jayne Pascoe 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 was registered in 1996. She lives with her husband and one senior school aged child, in Camborne, Cornwall. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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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 and is currently minding two children under five on a part time basis. The childminder drives to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She attends the local library, the Elam Centre and the local park. The family has a dog.

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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 satisfactory. Children benefit from opportunities to learn about keeping healthy through regular daily exercise indoors and out. They enjoy fresh air in the garden and at the local park. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained environment. They are able to play and rest in comfort. The childminder has completed appropriate first aid training. The first aid kit is suitably stocked. Suitable procedures are followed to ensure that the family pet does not present a health risk to children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the childminders positive approach to promoting healthy eating habits. Fresh fruit is offered at snack time. Children receive a sufficient quantity of food to meet their individual needs. Parents provide packed lunches for the children attending. The childminder stores, prepares and serves these lunches appropriately. Children have free access to drinking water throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from being cared for in a generally safe and secure environment. The childminder carries out visual checks of the environment, equipment and resources to identify and minimise any risks to children. However, the glass windows in the shed present a potential risk to children’s safety. Children are closely supervised at all times. Children can safely and independently make choices, from the range of age appropriate toys and resources available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are transported safely on regular outings to the nearby park and social groups. Fire safety equipment is available and maintained. Fire evacuation procedures have been developed and are practised with children. The childminder is familiar with the appropriate action to take and agencies to contact if she has child protection concerns. Children are collected by authorised persons.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are busy, occupied and happy in their play. They benefit from free access to a varied, interesting and age appropriate range of activities, which promotes their overall development. Children enjoy good levels of interaction with the childminder. She provides high levels of support. Children benefit from the childminder's participation in their chosen activity, as she interacts well and communicates enthusiastically.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children receive good opportunities to participate in a balanced range of both active and restful activities throughout the day. They enjoy physical exercise either indoors or out on a daily basis. Older children maintain good levels of concentration and perseverance to complete tasks. Younger children are interested and actively involved in worthwhile activities to their own level of ability. Children particularly enjoy playing festive songs on the electronic keyboard and

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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 piano. The childminder encourages their play through her display of enjoyment, lively discussion, praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children receive appropriate levels of support and supervision from the childminder, who demonstrates a sound understanding of their individual needs. Children are settled, happy and content. They are busy and occupied at all times. They have access to a suitable range of resources with which to develop their understanding and awareness of people's cultural differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved. The childminder uses age appropriate strategies to reinforce good levels of behaviour. The childminder recognises the importance of maintaining close working relationships with parents. She provides suitable levels of information through daily discussion with parents, when children are collected. Appropriate contract and record forms are used.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a suitable and comfortable home environment. They follow familiar daily routines, which effectively promote their sense of security and confidence. The childminder has obtained a copy of the Birth to three matters framework. However, she has not implemented this in her care of younger children. Appropriate contingency plans have been developed, to follow in the event of an emergency.

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Organisation

The childminder has developed suitable registration systems to record the times of arrival and departure of the children attending. Children's records are shared appropriately with parents. Contracts and enrolment forms include sufficient levels of information. All childminding documentation is stored securely and confidentiality is maintained. Records are available for inspection. Overall, 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 given a satisfactory judgement. There was one recommendation agreed, which was to make the outdoor area safe. This area is now generally suitable for children's use with adult supervision. However, the glass windows in the shed present a potential risk to children if they are broken.

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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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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 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): • make the shed windows safe • implement the Birth to three matters framework.

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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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