St Thomas More's Catholic Primary School, Colchester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 138164 Inspection date 21 July 2005 Inspector Lindsay Ann Farenden

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 has been registered since 1994. She lives with her husband and four children aged 16 years, 15 years, 9 years and 6 years old. They live in a house within walking distance of local shops, parks and bus route. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have one cat. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is

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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 registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding two children, who attend on a part time basis. The childminder takes children to a local toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, warm home. They are helped to learn about good hygiene practice and personal care, such as washing their hands before eating and cleaning their teeth after meals. The childminder demonstrates good hygiene awareness, by washing her hands before preparing foods and after nappy changing to reduce the risk of cross contamination. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children are provided with foods, which they enjoy. Children have access to drinks at all times and are encouraged to drink plenty, to prevent them getting thirsty or dehydrated. The daily provision of fresh fruit encourages children’s fondness of healthy eating. Children have opportunities to take part in a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health and physical development, through indoor games, using bikes, equipment to climb, slide and crawl through, kick and throw balls when they play in

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Helping children to be healthy

the garden and the childminder drop in centre. Children benefit from visiting parks, where they are able to run, use swings, large play equipment, which help them to develop their balance and co-ordination and receive plenty of fresh air and exercise. They have time to relax and be active. The childminder’s good understanding about appropriate types of activities and levels of support needed, gives children confidence to try new skills, for example helping children to learn to pedal bikes. The childminder keeps documentation to record accidents and any medication given and this ensures that children’s health needs are met and information is shared with the parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to move around the home freely and safely because the childminder has taken action to minimise risks and by making most hazardous items inaccessible to them, however sharp knifes and objects are not completely inaccessible to children, as they are kept in a kitchen draw, which could be in some children’s reach. Children are well supervised throughout the day, due to the appropriate organisation of the childminder and the layout of the areas used for childminding. Their welfare is protected by her knowledge of child protection and by making sure information on

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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 this is easily accessible. The risks to children outside the home are reduced, because the childminder is conscientious about ensuring children are safe on outings. For example, she talks to children about crossing at the green man, younger children wear reins and appropriate restraints are used when children are in the buggy and travelling in vehicles. Children are learning about keeping them selves safe, because they practise written emergency evacuation procedures under the supervision of the childminder. To protect children's health and safety the childminder has attended first aid training in the past and the first aid box is up to date, however written parental consent for emergency treatment has not been requested for all children, consequently they are not fully safeguarded in emergency situation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from a good range of clean toys and resources appropriate to their ages, which are set out for them to freely access and which are rotated, so children have a variety of play resources throughout the day.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are settled and confident within the childminders home and relate well to her, because she plays with them and shows them warmth and affection, which contribute to their sense of belonging. Children benefit from the childminder organisation of the play materials to meet children’s individual developmental needs and interests, as a result children spend their time purposefully and are motivated to play and enjoy choosing from a variety of toys and books which appeal to them. They use their imagination well, using the role play materials, for example making cups of tea for the childminder. Children are helped to develop their fine and large motor skills within the environment, for example they enjoy making marks with the crayons and by using paints and are given opportunities to do puzzles and play with toys, which require them to push and turn buttons. Children’s large motor skills are encouraged by

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children, playing games using their bodies, kicking and throwing balls, learning to use the pedals when riding bikes in the garden. Children are helped to develop a interest in books, because they enjoy have having stores read to them by the childminder, which helps extend their language and communication skills. Children gain social skills from attending toddler groups , where they have opportunities to meet other children and adults and access further art activities, story times and singing sessions, which contributes to their enjoyment, creativity and enhances their all round development.

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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 The provision is good. Children are valued are respected as individuals. Their needs are met well as they follow their daily routine as discussed with the parents and to ensure consistency of care, information is exchanged between the childminder and the parent on a daily basis, which keep them informed of their daily routines and dietary intakes. Children’s self esteem is raised by the childminder's use of praise and acknowledgements for their efforts and achievements. Children play and behave well and are encouraged to share toys and show consideration for each other. They are provided with a good range of resources to increase their awareness of diversity and understanding of others. They learn about their local community through routine outings to parks and toddler group.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is not currently caring for any children with special needs, however through discussion she expressed interest in attending training, in order to further her knowledge in caring for a child with special needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home and at ease within the well organised home, which helps them gain confidence and be independent. They receive the childminders full attention, as she dedicates her time to the children when they are present. The childminder makes appropriate use of contracts to invite discussions with parents about their child's individual needs. She then uses this information to promote the welfare and care of the children. Most required records are kept, which contribute to children’s health, safety and well being, however one member of the house hold over 16 years old, has not undergone required checks. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved children's safety and recording of documentation. She has moved medicines, so they are completely inaccessible to children and the daily attendance record now includes children's surnames.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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): • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and ensure sharp knifes are made inaccessible to children • ensure that persons over the age of 16 years living in the house hold when children are being minded undergo checks including a police check

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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