Annecy Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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114571 Unique Reference Number 13 December 2006 Inspection date Bridget Richardson 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 1996. She lives with her husband and two children aged 15 and seven years in Shoreham. The childminder uses most areas within her bungalow for childminding and there is a garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the toddler groups and takes children to the local library and parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding three children all of whom attend on a part time basis.

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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 play in a clean environment where they learn the importance of good personal hygiene. The childminder ensures that each child has individual flannels, towels and bedding to minimise the risk of cross infection in children. All areas used by children are cleaned regularly and surfaces wiped over before and after use with an anti-bacterial agent.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a written policy in place that she shares with parents that children who are infectious do not attend. This helps prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This means she can give appropriate care if there is an accident. Parents give prior written consent to administer medication that ensures children receive the correct dosage according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children generally enjoy healthy snacks, which are supplied by the childminder and include fresh and dried fruit, toast and occasionally biscuits. There are effective storage procedures for the food provided by parents to prevent spoiling. Fresh drinking water is available at all times and children confidently help themselves. This encourages children to think about their personal needs. The childminder gathers all relevant information regarding diet and medical history. This ensures children's individual dietary and medical needs are met. Children enjoy regular physical activities that help keep them in good health. For example, visits to parks, soft play centres, going for walks and music and movement sessions in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a well-organised environment. This allows them to move around and play freely. They use a wide range of toys and resources appropriate for their age and stage of development. Toys and resources are readily accessible to children offering them freedom of choice and independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has clear procedures to ensure that she can evacuate children quickly and efficiently from her home in the event of an emergency. She shares this information with parents; along with places of safety that she would take the children to if, the need arose. Generally, the childminder has a clear understanding of how to minimise risks to children both in the home and on outings. For example, she ensures all chemicals are stored out of reach, plug sockets are covered, the front door is securely locked and the garden is secure to ensure children cannot leave the premises unattended. However, the electric meter box in the hallway has not been made sufficiently inaccessible to children and renovation work being undertaken in the garden means building materials are accessible to children and may pose a hazard to their safety. The childminder has clear procedures in place for outings to help ensure children's

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

safety. She teaches children about road safety and ensures they are appropriately supervised at all times.

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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 The childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what action to take if she has a concern about a child in her care. This ensures she quickly recognises when a child is in danger and can act in the child's best interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well settled and very at home in the childminder's house. They enjoy a variety of activities that are appropriate to their ages. They are happy and confidently choose toys and resources for themselves. The interesting and worthwhile range of activities and outings provided help children learn about the world in which they live. The childminder looks at books with the children pointing out and naming pictures to encourage children's language development. Children's creative and imaginative development is encouraged through activities such as art and craft, music and movement and pretend play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder successfully supports young children and is involved in encouraging them to try out developing skills. This has a positive effect on encouraging children to set their own challenges and acquire new skills. For example, a child who took off their socks tried to place them back on their feet. The childminder encouraged and supported the child in their efforts and offered support and choices to the child. This promoted the child's confidence, independence and freedom of choice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing good relationships and get on well with peers and the childminder. They are beginning to understand the need to share and take turns when playing and are supported well by the childminder to help them to achieve this.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about the world through outings and activities that introduce them to other cultures. The childminder has a range of resources available to children that reflect positive images of all aspects of society. This means children learn to acknowledge and accept differences. The childminder has a clear understanding of how to adapt activities to ensure all children are included. This helps children to feel valued and promotes their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is consistent in her approach to behaviour management and uses appropriate strategies. This helps children learn right from wrong. Children's behaviour is generally good and they play well together. They learn to share and take turns, supported appropriately by the childminder who offers children lots of praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good. Parents are given written information about the childminder's practice. She shares information about what children have completed whilst in her care daily with parents. This means parents are kept fully informed about their children, which helps to ensure their individual needs are met.

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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 good. There is a flexible routine in place that offers a balance of quiet and activity to meet the children's individual needs. They feel at home, at ease and are confident to initiate their own activities and occupy themselves. However, some improvement is needed to ensure children's safety within the setting as not all hazards have been sufficiently minimised.

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Organisation

Parents are provided with an informative booklet including a range of policies that help inform them of all aspects of the provision. The childminder effectively uses these policies to promote the welfare and care of the children. Documentation and information maintained on children is updated regularly with parents, which helps to ensure children's individual needs are met. An accurate attendance register showing times of arrival and departure of children is maintained. The childminder has completed a first aid course that includes training in first aid for babies and young children. Her registration certificate is displayed, so parents are aware of her registration status. 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 three recommendations were set to obtain a list of children's illnesses and infectious diseases; to implement and make available to parents a complaints procedure and to obtain up to date information from the Area Child Protection Committee to share with parents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has gained a list of children's illnesses and infectious diseases which she shares with parents; has ensured the complaints procedure is made available to parents by including in the informative booklet given to parents and has updated her information on child protection appropriately to ensure the well-being of the children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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 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): • continue to develop the garden to ensure areas being renovated do not pose a hazard to children • ensure the electric meter does not pose a hazard to children.

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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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