Saint Claudine's Catholic School for Girls

Inspection report for early years provision

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137994 Unique Reference Number 05 October 2005 Inspection date Pauline King 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 satisfactory. 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 1995. She lives with her husband and three children. They live in a ground floor maisonette in Rayne's Park in the London Borough of Merton. The home is situated within walking distance of local parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The lounge, bathroom and kitchen under supervision are used for childminding. The dining room is used for sleep purposes only. The garden is not used for childminding. The childminder is registered to care for four children. She is currently caring for two children on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children to toddler group and outings on a regular basis.

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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 are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of hygiene and personal care. The childminder herself demonstrates very good hygiene awareness and her practice helps to reduce the risk of cross contamination. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy balanced diet which includes rice biscuit and water for snacks. The childminder takes into account the wishes of parents who provide good nutritious meals and snacks that appeal to children and meet their dietary needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of age appropriate activities which contribute to their good health and physical development. They learn to develop good control of their bodies through both indoor play and outings to other play centres. Children's safety is assured if they require emergency medical assistance, because the childminder has appropriate consent forms and has a current First Aid certificate. A record of children's accidents is in place although there are no entries since 2002 and some entries from that time do not include parent's signature.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for and play freely in a secure home where most risks are identified. They independently choose activities from a limited range of good quality toys and play materials. However, these were not changed on day of inspection. The childminder gives high priority to ensuring that children are well supervised both in the home and when on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is appropriately monitored because the childminder has most required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safe guarded and promoted. However, procedures to be followed in the event of a child protection concern and emergency evacuation are not in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and confident at the childminder's house because the childminder organises play time around the routines of the day and their dietary needs. For example child asked for a drink and something to eat.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children relate well to the childminder because she encourages children in their activities and gives praise and support enabling children's confidence to develop. For example asking questions and helping to wrap a doll in a blanket. However, children's development and early learning is limited due to lack of appropriate toys and play materials made freely available to them because these were not changed on the day of inspection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have opportunities to socialise with other children when taken out to the local park and drop-in.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are met well as the childminder obtains information from the parents. For example details of children’s individual likes, dislikes, and daily routine, and follows their normal routine as discussed with their parents. Information is shared with parents about their child’s day and dietary intake on a daily basis.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to play with the toys, regardless of gender, however, children have few opportunities to learn to value and develop an awareness of diversity through activities and play resources relating to positive images of culture and disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's self esteem is raised by good use of praise and encouragement by the childminder. The childminder uses age appropriate strategies to deal with negative behaviour.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are comfortable and secure in the childminder's home, which helps them gain confidence and be independent. The environment is laid out to make the most of space and maximise children’s play opportunities and for children to play freely and safely. The childminder makes sufficient use of contracts to invite discussions with parents about their child's individual needs. She uses this information to promote the welfare and care of the children. Information is shared with parents to keep them informed about the service and their child’s activities. Most required records are kept, which contribute to children’s health, safety and well being.

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Organisation

The setting meets the needs of the range of the children of whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to recommendations to ensure childminding records are well organised, kept together and up to date. Ensure separate records of incidents are kept and Keep a separate record of any accidents, signed by parents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has completed some recommendations, children and parents benefit because their records are now kept in individual folders and all other required documentation is now in folders. Other recommendations have still to be improved.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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 satisfactory. 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 age appropriate toys and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice are freely available to children • maintain records of any accidents/incidents, signed by parents and record accurate times of children's arrival and departure

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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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