St Augustine's Catholic High School: A Specialist Science College

Inspection report for early years provision

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116997 Unique Reference Number 29 March 2007 Inspection date Susan Victoria May 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 registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and four children aged ten, eight, four years and twenty months old. They live in Reading, Berkshire. The accommodation is arranged over three floors, minded children do not have access to the top floor. There is a secure garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for four children and is currently minding two children on a part time basis. The childminder is prepared to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds an Advanced Diploma in Childcare and has completed Community Childcare training.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy and develop increasing understanding through daily routines and clear guidelines from the childminder. They begin to learn about the importance of good hygiene

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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 practice and understand why they need to wash their hands after playing outdoors and before having snack. Children are encouraged to be independent in their personal care, for example the youngest children are given facecloths and encouraged to wipe their own hands and face after eating. All documentation and procedures for recording accidents and administering medication to protect children is in place and the childminder shares information with parents. Other documentation to safeguard the children's health and wellbeing is in place. For example, sun screen procedures.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s dietary needs are met because the childminder works closely with parents. The childminder records and discusses the parent’s preferences regarding food and individual children’s needs. This ensures she meets the needs of the children in her care. When providing children with snacks she ensures they have a variety of healthy options to choose from, for example, rice and corn cakes, fruit or vegetable sticks. This helps children to begin to learn about healthy eating. To develop young children's awareness of bodily needs the childminder raises their awareness by, for example, asking young children if they are cold and need a coat and suggesting they have drink after energetic outdoor play.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to a broad, interesting and challenging variety of activities, which they enjoy and promote their good health. The childminder considers the individual routines of the children when planning activities and children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs. Children develop fine motor control and co-ordination, through activities such as playing with play dough and skilfully negotiating their chosen path when riding wheeled toys outdoors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a warm, welcoming child friendly home where children feel comfortable and secure. Children enjoy their play in a safe indoor environment where the childminder identifies and minimises risks. However, to ensure the ongoing safety and well-being of the children there are some safety issues in the garden to be addressed. Space within the house is well organised, allowing children to move around safely, freely and independently. Children can easily access the toys and resources, which the childminder checks regularly to ensure there, are no broken parts that could harm them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

When on outings the childminder ensures children know why they need to stay close, they hold hands and learn about road safety through good practice. This helps them to develop an awareness of keeping themselves safe. The childminder carries with her a pack that includes all parental details, contact numbers and mobile phone.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected and safeguarded from harm whilst in her care, as the childminder has clearly understands her role concerning child protection. She is very aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow should she have concerns about a child in her care. She holds all of the required paperwork to record existing injures and incidents that have happened to children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children clearly enjoy their time at the childminder's home and are happy and eager to participate in a range of activities. Children have access to a playroom where they enthusiastically select the toys and resources they wish to use. The childminder provides an extensive range of

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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 appealing toys and resources, which the children clearly enjoy, show considerable interest in, and which promotes their development and learning in all areas.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s care, learning and play are enhanced through the childminder’s good understanding of child development. She has regard to the 'Birth to three matters' framework and uses this to develop activities for the younger children. The childminder plans activities for the older children during the school holidays on a more structured basis. Interaction between the childminder and children is good, she is consistently nearby offering guidance and help to extend their play and learning when required. For example, children play in the sand pit exploring the dry sand, pouring and sieving it. The childminder introduces water for children to see the effect this has. The children with the childminders help then make sand castles and mark make in the wet sand.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has an obvious understanding of providing children with a broad range of experiences, for example, helping develop imagination and self-expression through art and crafts. The childminder and parents share daily information on the children to help them progress effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder treats the children with respect helping them to feel good about themselves. She knows each child well; consequently, the children are secure within the environment. The childminder forms good relationships with the children and values their contributions; as a result, children demonstrate increasing personal independence. The childminder has a positive understanding of all equal opportunities issues, and this helps children develop an awareness of their own and other cultures. Resources are available in the home that promote positive images of gender, less so of other cultures. Children develop a sense of place and learn about where they live through regular trips to local schools, shops and park.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder encourages children to behave and become aware of the house rules by gently reminding them of what is acceptable behaviour in an age appropriate manner. Children respond positively and show respect for the childminder, she in turn acknowledges them and values their efforts. The childminder demonstrates an excellent understanding of learning difficulties and/or disabilities and offers full support to ensure all children reach their potential. Children benefit from the close liaison with parents and outside agencies to meet their needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are friendly and professional; this contributes greatly to the children's well being. The childminder shares with parent’s information about daily events and children’s progress through verbal and some written communication. Copies of the childminders policies and procedures are readily available. The good relationship between parents and the childminder help provide the children with continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder provides a well-organised environment where children have good adult support to help them feel secure and confident. Indoor space is used well, allowing children room to play comfortably and freely. Children’s overall welfare and development is promoted as the childminder pays attention to all areas when organising her childminding day. This ensures that children are offered a wide range of stimulating activities, inside and outside the home.

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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 Comprehensive policies and procedures guide the childminder in her daily practice. This ensures she meets children's needs and shares all relevant information with parents. A good two-way flow of information ensures continuity of care. The information kept about children is relevant and the childminder has regard to confidentiality.

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Organisation

The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint. The complaints procedure and relevant contact details are now available and clearly displayed for parents in the playroom. Parents also receive a copy at their initial meeting with the childminder.

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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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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 make improvements to safety in the garden • continue to build resources that reflect positive images of other cultures

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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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