St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, Devon Street

Inspection report for early years provision

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104807 Unique Reference Number 30 January 2007 Inspection date Judith Harris 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 1992. She lives with her husband and one adult and one teenage child in Barnstaple in North Devon. The childminder uses her sitting/dinning room for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She takes children to the local park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has experience of supporting and caring for children with English as an additional language.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any onetime. She is currently minding eight children under five, on a part time basis at different sessions in the week. The family has a dog 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 good. Children are learning a good range of basic hygiene skills and the childminder follows good health guidelines. Children use potty and toilet and then go to wash their hands; they also wash their hands before eating. The childminder uses good nappy changing routines and washes her hands after each change. She changes children on a towel on the floor and does not currently use a changing mat. The childminder has a sick children policy; she excludes children who are obviously infectious and calls parents to collect children if they become sick in her care, to effectively prevent the spread of infection. The childminder has two cats, one of which the children are familiar with; however the cat should not be in the room while the children are being fed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual rest and sleep needs are discussed and agreed with parents and clearly met within the daily routine. Children sleep in their own lie back chairs where they are comfortable and can be constantly monitored by the childminder. Children are fully supported to settle with the childminder. She takes a good amount of information to help her to get to know each child and develops warm caring relationship with them. The childminder has well kept medication forms which she effectively shares with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities for physical play both in the home and outdoors. This effectively supports children to develop a broad range of physical skills and to exercise. Children play in the garden and in the field adjacent to the childminder's home. They go for walks to the park and for local outings. At home children move around the play space with confidence and good levels of independence.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children are provided with healthy and balanced meals and snacks. Parents supply food for all dietary needs and the childminder is able to provide extra drinks for children should they need them. The childminder agrees routines with parents to ensure children are eating at regular intervals. Children have drinks in their own cups, which are with them while they play. The childminder takes details of any dietary restrictions children may have to ensure children's dietary needs are well met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe suitable environment where they have a good amount of space for play and can move safely. Children are very comfortable in the childminder's home. They can freely access the toys and resources which are appropriate for their age and stage of development. The childminder carefully monitors the children's choices. She ensures that any toys that may be a hazard to them are kept inaccessible. The toys are cleaned about every six months, which for young children is too infrequent.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is well supported by the effective use of safety equipment and the way in which the children are supervised. The childminder's home is secure. There is a front garden

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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 with a secure gate and a back garden, part of which the childminder can close off so that the younger children can play safely, with appropriate levels of supervision. The childminder is proactive about the fire safety issues in her home and has taken advice from a fire safety professional. She has fitted an extra smoke alarm and drawn up a floor plan of her home, that shows evacuation exits and assembly points. On outings children's safety is maintained by the use of wrist straps and holding hands; younger children travel in buggies. The childminder is teaching the children safe road crossing practice. The childminder has accident and incident records which she uses well and effectively shares with parents. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate which means she can give appropriate care if there is an accident.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm because the childminder understands her role in child protection; she is able to put appropriate procedures into practise when necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children take part in a good range of activities and experiences that clearly support their learning and development. Children are happy and secure in the routines. They are clearly confident to freely access the toys and make choices about what they will play with. Children are nurtured by the childminder, who has warm caring relationships with them, they are relaxed and comfortable in her care. Children have good daily routines which are flexible and ensure that individual needs are effectively met. Children have regular outings; the childminder takes them for walks in the local area and they stop on the way to the park to feed the ducks. Children play with the childminder and she interacts very well with them, becoming involved in their play but allowing them to lead it. Children know the routine well and they are happy to settle quickly at sleep time. The childminder is able to effectively meet the needs of children across

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

age ranges. She provides activities that are suitable for the older children at the dinning table, which ensures they are able to develop their play. The younger children play on the floor with a good range of toys. The childminder is not familiar with Birth to three matters framework but is eager to take training to ensure she is effectively meeting the children's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have good opportunities to gain an understanding of the wider world. The childminder has been proactive in ensuring she has the resources to help the children's development in this area. Children have access to a good range of resources that effectively reflect diversity. The childminder makes effective use of the local toy library to help extend the range. The childminder treats all children in her care with equal concern. The childminder has a positive attitude towards caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She would talk to parents and ensure that she was able to give the appropriate level of care, to effectively meet the child's needs, before admitting the child to her service.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved; they are busy with play and have levels of independence that are appropriate for their ages. The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of using positive strategies, that are suitable for the age and level of understanding 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 She clearly understands that children are just pushing boundaries. The childminder knows each individual child well and knows what is likely to make them frustrated or upset. This allows her to step in as soon as a problem arises and distract the children with new games and activities. The strategies used are effectively supporting children to develop good skills for self control.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's well-being is effectively supported by the good partnership with parents. The childminder builds positive relationships with parents; she exchanges information daily and ensures parents are aware of any problems. The parents are able to call at any time if they have any concerns about a child and the childminder welcomes this.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder keeps well organised records which ensure she has a good amount of appropriate information about the children in her care. These support the childminder to effectively meet children's individual needs and to develop good partnerships with the parents. Records are shared with parents, which clearly support children's health and wellbeing and ensure children are well protected. The childminder is proactive and keen to take training to help her develop her work with the children. There is a complaints log. The childminder is aware of ensuring she keeps Ofsted informed of any changes and has all members of her household vetted appropriately.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has met all actions set at the previous inspection. The childminder was required to ensure all records and documentation were in place and available for Inspection. To obtain written permission for emergency medical treatment and outings. To record times of arrival and departure for all children. To make herself familiar with the relevant events that she must notify Ofsted of. The childminder has well organised records for all children with permission attached to contracts and signed by parents. She has a register to accurately record times of arrival and departure of all children. The childminder is fully familiar with the events and procedures for notifying Ofsted.

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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 records 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): • ensure good hygiene is maintained for toy and equipment, changing nappies and supervising pets.

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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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