St Wulstan's and St Edmund's Catholic Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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149263 Unique Reference Number 05 February 2007 Inspection date Jo Blackman 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, one child aged eight years, and two adult children in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor and an upstairs bedroom of the childminder's house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear 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 four children under five, all of which are cared for on a part-time basis and one child over five during the school holidays. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and she attends the local toddler group. The family have no pets.

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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 warm, clean home. They are able to participate in physical activities which contributes to the promotion of their overall health and development. They are offered regular opportunities for outdoor activities, such as walks to and from school, visiting the local parks and playing in the outside garden on static equipment, providing opportunities for them to develop and explore their physical skills. Younger children are able to participate in the activities because the childminder provides appropriate activities and support so that all children feel able to join in.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is able to meet the needs of the children through her awareness of health procedures such as washing hands before meals. She provides good examples to children such as, washing her own hands after changing nappies and visiting the toilet. Children's dietary needs are consistently met as the childminder has a sound understanding of healthy eating and provides appropriate snacks and meals which include fresh fruit. Their health is generally promoted as the childminder has an appropriate first aid certificate in place. However, accident records are not recorded confidentially, therefore children's personal details are not kept secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming environment. Their ongoing safety is prioritised as the childminder is aware of potential risks and takes appropriate steps to minimise these. For example, when children are playing inside or outside the home the childminder stays in the immediate area, not leaving children unsupervised and encouraging them to use the equipment safely. The childminder ensures that children use safe, clean toys and equipment and she makes sure that these are appropriate for their ages and developmental stages.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are beginning to build up their knowledge about keeping themselves safe as the childminder gives them clear explanations. For example, the children are aware of the procedure that must be followed in the event of a fire starting and they practise this procedure regularly to ensure that they are fully aware of how to remain safe. Children's welfare is promoted because the childminder has knowledge of possible signs and symptoms and she has ensured that she has all the relevant up to date documentation in place. She ensures that her knowledge is updated by attending regular child protection training courses.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled within the childminder's home, confidently choosing toys and activities. They communicate well with the childminder, and are comfortable in her care, asking for help when needed. They are offered a variety of activities which helps to promote their development. These include imaginative play, reading stories, using musical instruments, participating in craft activities and outdoor play. The childminder spends time playing with the

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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 children. For example, they use their imaginations to become firefighters who are helping to get a cat down from a tree and they work together forming a jigsaw. Children feel secure as the childminder shows them that she enjoys their company and the opportunity to play with them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is able to use her awareness of child development to adapt activities to suit individual children ensuring that these promote learning in all areas. However, she has a limited knowledge and understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and therefore, outcomes for younger children are not fully developed. Children's particular interests are promoted as the childminder knows the children well and gives thought to the provision of appropriate resources. For example, ensuring that the dolls and pushchairs are out for a child who is interested in these, helping the child to quickly settle.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are able to feel valued and respected because the childminder ensures that she is aware of their individual needs. They are always treated equally and are encouraged to respect each other whilst learning to work together. Children with learning disabilities and difficulties are welcomed by the childminder, she ensures that she is fully aware of the individual requirements of each child in order to meet their needs. Children are encouraged to play together and are learning about sharing and turn-taking. They are encouraged to take responsibility for this and are developing their understanding of each other's needs and how to incorporate these in their play. Their behaviour is good and they have a clear understanding of the ground rules, respecting the boundaries which are consistently applied by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to respect and appreciate other cultures and ways of life. They have access to a range of resources such as books, dolls and dressing-up clothes, helping to increase their understanding of this area. Children also learn about different cultures and celebrations such as, Chinese New Year, Valentines day, and Diwali through art and craft activities which are offered to them. Children benefit from the way in which the childminder works in partnership with parents, ensuring that they are fully informed of their children's progress and activities through the promotion of regular communication, effectively keeping them up-to-date with information on a daily basis.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Overall, children's needs are met. Resources are effectively organised and children are therefore able to determine their own play. The individual needs of children are met as the childminder ensures that she has all the necessary information about the minded children and ensures that she clearly understands this. Their social and emotional needs are promoted through the childminder's effective organisation of her daily work. She makes sure that there is time to offer children a range of play opportunities and experiences and is able to meet her commitments in terms of collecting children at the correct time. The children's overall welfare is promoted as the childminder organises her work to ensure that children are supervised at all times.

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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

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure that any medication that is given to children is recorded and is signed by parents when it has been administered. The childminder has a medication book which shows permission to give medication for each child and a list of all medication given to children with parental signatures confirming they are aware, therefore children's health is protected. The childminder agreed to keep a plan of activities that she provides for the children, both structured and free play. The childminder has a weekly plan displayed for parents to see and this includes which activities children are offered as well as offering children time to make free choices about their play. The childminder also agreed to keep a record of any complaints received. The childminder has received no complaints, however she has a policy showing parents what procedure is to be followed in the event of them having

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Improvements since the last inspection

a complaint and the contact details for Ofsted are displayed, therefore parents are aware of the correct procedures to follow.

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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 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 all accident entries are recorded confidentially • improve outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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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