Saint George Catholic Voluntary Aided College Southampton

Inspection report for early years provision

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116507 Unique Reference Number 27 February 2007 Inspection date Susan Mary Deadman 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 has been registered since 1991. She lives with her husband on a farm in Wooburn Moor near High Wycombe. Children have access to the lounge, kitchen, bathroom and one bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently minding 10 children, of whom seven are under eight years of age. All children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder takes children to and collects them from local schools and nurseries. She attends and helps out at the local toddler group on a regular basis. The family have two dogs and two cats.

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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 inadequate. Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which contributes to their good health. They participate in a good range of outings, which enhance their physical development. For example, they enjoy trips to woodland areas where they follow nature trails. Children benefit from frequent use of the large garden with an exciting range of equipment. They enjoy the climbing frames, slides, bicycles and scooters.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder records accidents to children and shares this information with parents. She has written parental consent for the seeking of any necessary medical treatment. The childminder updates her first aid certificate, as required and is organised to deal effectively with minor accidents.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder discusses full details with parents prior to administering medication. The information includes the reason for the medicine, time required and time of previous dose. However, she does not gain written parental permission for the specific medication and fails to maintain a record of medication administered. This is a breach of regulations.

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Helping children to be healthy

Good procedures in place protect children from the potential spread of infection. For example, the exclusion policy ensures that illness does not spread to others. Children help protect themselves from infection as they wash their hands after using the bathroom and prior to eating. Parents provide children's food and main snacks, which are stored appropriately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have a reasonable amount of clear indoor play space and greatly benefit from the large garden. The childminder has generally good procedures in place to ensure that children are safe. Equipment is checked prior to use and children are monitored at all times in the garden. Effective procedures ensure that the childminder is aware of who may collect the children. Although there is a working smoke alarm on the ground floor of the property, there is no alarm sited on the first floor, which compromises children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. Children are aware of safety issues for example, they learn how to safely use scissors. The childminder protects children as she ensures they are covered by the appropriate insurance. She has a clear understanding of the new law relating to car seats and ensures children's requirements are adhered to when using her vehicle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder promotes children’s welfare, as she has a good understanding of possible indicators of abuse and the correct procedures to follow in relation to child protection concerns.

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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 good. Children are confident and comfortable in the childminder's home. They relate well to each other and play happily together. The childminder enhances children’s positive self-esteem and provides warm interaction and care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder extends children’s speech and knowledge through discussion. For example, children count the toy train engines and the number of candles on a cake. They look closely at picture cards and books as they learn about concepts such as full and empty, colour and size.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children independently access the toys from the low-level storage boxes. They are engrossed in their play as they build a long set of train engines and push them across the lounge into the kitchen. Younger children happily make good use of the musical instruments, garage and books. The children play with a purpose and sustain interest in the activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides a good amount of stimulation for children as she regularly takes them to local toddler groups and parks. Children enjoy more challenging outings, for example, a visit to the Science museum in London.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder cares for children in a warm manner. She gives them much attention and values their individuality. Children feel important as the childminder praises their achievements. The childminder supports children's understanding of differences and they learn to value and respect others. Children have access to books, which depict positive images of culture.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and play cooperatively together. The childminder is a good role model and teaches children right from wrong. She follows consistent standards of behaviour management, which supports children's understanding of positive behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the friendly partnership with parents, who receive verbal feedback. The childminder provides parents with the opportunity to discuss issues on a daily basis. She shares information relating to children's time at school to ensure that parents have a good knowledge of their child's day. The childminder's excellent understanding of the complaints procedure promotes children's welfare. Accurate recording of issues ensures that parents have access to a detailed account of events and steps taken to meet requirements. Parents gain a good understanding of how the childminder cares for their children as she provides them with a copy of relevant procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children feel at home in the well-organised environment. The childminder's organisation allows her to spend a good deal of quality time with the children. The childminder promotes children’s welfare as she adheres to the majority of good quality policies and procedures. For example,

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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 children are safe as she checks the identification of visitors to the home if they are unknown to her. However, she does not have a secure understanding of regulations relating to the administration of medication. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to gain written parental permission to allow her to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future. Each child's parent has now given the childminder their written permission to contact paramedics or administer treatment to their child. This promotes children's welfare after an accident.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection there has been one complaint 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

Ofsted received a concern in August 2006 regarding lack of effective supervision of minded children on an outing. Ofsted carried out an unannounced visit and two actions were set. Ofsted was satisfied that the provider's response to these actions was appropriate. The provider remained qualified for registration at the time the investigation was closed.

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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 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: • maintain a record of all medication administered and obtain parent's prior written consent. 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

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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