St Peter's CofE Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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148403 Unique Reference Number 08 March 2007 Inspection date Sheila Collins 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 1995. She lives with her husband and two children aged 15 and 12 in Woodley, near Reading in Berkshire. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, with children using the upstairs for sleeping only. 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding three children, all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder takes children to and collects from local schools and pre-schools.

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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 learn about personal hygiene through their daily routine. Older children are independent in their self-care, washing their hands after going to the toilet and before eating. Younger children have help from the childminder. The childminder has good hygiene practices herself and supports the children well.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder actively promotes the good health of the children and responds appropriately when they are ill. The children benefit from the childminder's knowledge of their individual health needs. Accident and records of medication administered to children are in place. However, written permissions from parents to give medication are not retained for all children. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and a good understanding of the ways to prevent accidents, which contributes to keeping the children healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder consults with parents about their child's dietary requirements and preferences. Parents choose to supply meals and drinks. The childminder ensures that drinks are easily available all day. Children's individual routines for sleep and meal times are accommodated well, which helps children feel secure and comfortable in the care of the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy physical exercise and the childminder successfully plans their day to ensure that they have a wide range of excellent activities to help them develop physically. Outings to the park, as well as playing in the garden on equipment, enable the children to spend time outside in the fresh air.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder gives high priority to ensuring that the children are safe both within and outside the home. The childminder conducts regular risk assessments and has an emergency evacuation plan in place, although the children have not had the opportunity to practise it. The childminder has equipment suitable for the age and stage of the children attending, which includes items such as car seats and a travel cot. The childminder checks the equipment and toys frequently to ensure that they are safe for the children to use. She discusses safe play with the children and is vigilant to ensure that when the baby is present, items like play dough and the ball pool are carefully monitored.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has built up a good range of toys and resources for the children to use, which covers all areas of their development. The children independently access toys and activities for themselves from the range in the living room. The childminder rotates these with others from the storage cupboard and responds positively to requests from the children for alternatives.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are given clear boundaries by the childminder, which helps them learn about keeping themselves safe. The childminder promotes the children's welfare through a good working

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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 knowledge of safeguarding children issues. She has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children settle well at the childminder’s house. They are confident and make themselves at home. They have extremely good relationships with the childminder, who praises their efforts and achievements. They socialise with other children as they benefit from regular attendance at local toddler groups.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children select what they would like to do from the good range of stage appropriate toys, which the childminder puts out to support their learning and development. The childminder rotates the toys to maintain the children's interest. The children involve the childminder in their play. She is supportive and suggests ways to extend their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder knows the needs of each child in her care and is therefore able to offer very good activities and resources, which will appeal to all the children. The childminder takes into account the children’s own routines when planning the day. The children benefit from taking part in an excellent variety of activities through out the week, both within the home and outside, which contributes to their all round development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has good knowledge of the needs of each child through ongoing discussion with parents. Individual needs of children are taken into account particularly well, for example through following home routines. The children use some resources, which promote a positive view of different cultures and abilities. The childminder ensures that all children are included in the activities at an appropriate level.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children understand the rules and boundaries that are in place. They know the rules for acceptable behaviour and the childminder talks with them so that they are aware of why any unwanted behaviour is unacceptable. The childminder manages behaviour well and uses appropriate strategies effectively. The childminder praises and encourages the children’s efforts and achievements which promotes their self-esteem and self-confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good partnership with parents and works closely with them to ensure continuity of care for the children. Contracts are in place so that both parents and childminder are clear about the arrangements. The childminder discusses daily with parents to keep them informed about events and their child's progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is meeting the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The children benefit from the childminder's good organisation. The childminder organises her time

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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 and the space available well, to give the children a good range of play and learning experiences both in and outside of the home environment. The children’s own routines are incorporated in the daily planning, which makes them feel secure. The available space is well laid out and planned to give the children different areas for different activities.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps detailed contracts with parents, which gives her good information regarding the needs of the children and families she cares for. Confidentiality is understood well and information is kept secure. The childminder has most of the required documentation in place but written permissions from parents to give medication are not retained for all children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, one recommendation was made. This was to produce written information for parents that sets out the expectations of both parties as to the care of the child, activities provided and business arrangements.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has contracts with parents in place and discusses with parents daily to ensure that parents are kept informed of the activities their child has undertaken. This means that both the childminder and the parents of the children have clear and up to date information about the childminding arrangements.

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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): • ensure that parents give prior written permission to administer any medication and that these records are retained together with the written records of the medication administered.

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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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