St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Pickering

Inspection report for early years provision

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121654 Unique Reference Number 20 March 2007 Inspection date June Fielden 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 1998. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and 10 in Dorking, Surrey. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and 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 part-time. She walks to the local shops, parks and schools. The childminder regularly attends local toddler groups.

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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 are cared for in a clean and tidy home. The childminder maintains children's health through appropriate hygiene routines. Children wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet, to avoid the spread of infection. The childminder's accident and medication records are suitably completed, and sick children are excluded. She has some understanding of the type of diseases that are infectious. However, she does not have a list of these to refer to, in order to inform her when Ofsted should be notified. As a result, this impacts on children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with snacks by the childminder which include healthy options. Parents provide food for children's meals, which is suitably stored by the childminder, to ensure it remains fresh. The childminder has an appropriate understanding of healthy eating. She asks parents to keep her informed if they find any food which makes their children feel unwell. The childminder makes drinking water available to children at all times, to ensure they are not thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder makes sure children have sufficient exercise. They play in the garden, using the variety of toys that are available to them. Children visit local parks and toddler groups with the childminder, where they can run around and play with others of a similar age. If children need to rest or sleep they use a travel cot or the settee in the living room.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children mainly use the childminder's dining room, where furniture is arranged carefully to allow maximum space for them to play. Toys are easily accessible to them, in large brightly coloured containers and low level cupboards. The childminder rotates the resources available to children daily. She stores additional toys upstairs, to ensure children do not become bored.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm, because the childminder is aware of the signs of abuse to look for. If she has any concerns about children in her care she will seek advice. The childminder will keep a confidential record of what is happening, and inform the appropriate authority when necessary. She has a suitable understanding of safety issues. The childminder ensures that smoke alarms and socket covers are in place, and risk assessments are completed regularly. However, there is a fireplace with a metal grate which is accessible to children in the bathroom, and some of the radiators they can reach get quite hot, which impacts on children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are always spoken to in a friendly manner by the childminder. She sits down on the floor with them and joins in their play, talking to them about what they are doing. The childminder extends children's vocabulary by holding these discussions with them, showing an interest in what they say. They are confident and happy in the childminder's presence, as she

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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 is very positive in her attitude towards them. As a result, toddlers concentrate well and play with the toys on their own for reasonably long periods of time. Older children are given individual attention while the younger ones are sleeping.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play with a selection of stimulating toys that make different sounds, or have moving parts to engage their interest. They discuss with the childminder the different colours of the toy cars they play with. She develops their imaginative play by providing a road map rug and a toy garage for children to use with the vehicles. The childminder successfully encourages children to use their number skills when sharing books with them, asking them to count the number of characters in the pictures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are all treated with equal concern by the childminder. She effectively liaises with parents to find out about children’s individual needs when care commences. These details are noted on their records for future reference. The childminder has extensive resources to promote children's understanding of diversity and disabilities. She celebrates different festivals with them, and they also learn about these at the toddler group which the children visit with the childminder. If caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities the childminder will assist them in socialising with others, and encourage them to learn through play. She will adapt activities, and structure her day to meet their requirements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses well organised contact books to keep parents informed of children's progress. These include details of what they have been doing and eating. Parents know that they can telephone the childminder at any time during the day or the evening, to pass on information about their child. They are happy with the care provided for their children, and have been informed of the childminder's effective complaints procedure. The childminder promotes positive behaviour with praise, and as a result, children are generally well mannered. If children misbehave their conduct is discussed with parents, and where appropriate, the childminder will adopt behaviour strategies used by them, to ensure continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's safety is assured when visitors are present, as the childminder remains with them at all times, and ensures that they feel comfortable with the guests. The childminder displays her registration certificate to make parents aware of the conditions under which she operates, and her register is well completed. She plans her day to include challenging activities for children. The childminder has a folder of information to let new parents know how she organises her practice. This contains insurance details, policies and her inspection report. She meets with parents every six months to review children's records, and regularly updates her policies. The childminder's records are stored securely to maintain confidentiality. She shares her records with children's parents on request. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last care inspection recommended that the childminder complete an appropriate first aid course, record the times of children's arrival and departure in the register, and keep fire control equipment in the kitchen. An action was raised which required the childminder to keep medication and accident records available and up to date.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder now holds a current first aid certificate, and her accident and medication records are suitably completed, to maintain children's health. She records the exact time of children's arrival and departure in her register, and her fire blanket is appropriately positioned in the kitchen, to ensure their welfare.

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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): • obtain a list of infectious diseases • ensure that the bathroom is safe for children to use and that all radiators are kept at an appropriate temperature.

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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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