St Michael's CofE (C) First School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

124253 Unique Reference Number 13 June 2007 Inspection date Denys Rasmussen Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since January 2001. She lives in a house in a residential area of Shirley in Croydon with her husband and two children aged 11 and seven years. There is a fully enclosed back garden for outdoor play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The ground floor conservatory is used predominantly as a children's playroom. The back room is used for quiet activities. There is a downstairs toilet and hand washing facilities. One bedroom upstairs is used for sleep purposes. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. Currently there are six children on roll.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection. For example, the children have individual towels and the childminder uses disposable gloves when changing nappies; this helps to avoid the risk of cross contamination. The effective sick child policy helps to prevent the spread of infectious disease. Children learn about the importance of good hygiene

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 practices through well established every day routines. They learn why and how to wash their hands, reminded by a poster displayed in the toilet.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are recorded and heeded and the childminder ensures she offers the children a balanced diet. Children are offered fruit and vegetables daily and have independent access to water. The childminder keeps good records that are clear and accurate; for example, children's food intake, any medication administered, sleep periods and demeanour. This ensures information can be effectively shared with parents to ensure children's health needs are met.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is qualified in first aid and has written parental consent to seek medical advice or treatment in an emergency. This means accidents are dealt with appropriately. Children take part in in a range of activities both indoors and outdoors that contribute to their health and physical development such as visiting the local park, physical play centre, playing football or kneading and rolling play dough.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming environment that has been organised to provide space for children to eat, rest and play in comfort. There are good quality play resources available which the children can play with safely, as the childminder ensures they are age appropriate and display European safety markings. The children can access the play resources for themselves as they have been stored to encourage this. The childminder has taken effective steps to reduce potential hazards. For example, there are safety gates fixed to restrict children's access to the stairs, low level glass is toughened and the hazardous substances are locked away.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has ensured she is aware of any fire risks and has appropriate measures in place, such as, a fire blanket in the kitchen and smoke alarms on every level of the home. The risk of accidents outside the home is reduced because the childminder ensures children are safe on outings. For example, she makes sure they have appropriate restraints and seats in the car and uses reins for young children when walking. The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibility in protecting children in her care. She understands the child protection procedures to follow if she were concerned about a child's welfare.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and settled, they make themselves at home in the organised and stimulating environment. The childminder has a consistent but flexible routine which ensures she meets the children's physical care needs. She has a good understanding of the Birth to three matters framework and applies this well when observing children and planning their day. She is attentive to the children and interacts in a gentle and positive way. Warm relationships are evident, this helps children to settle well and feel secure. The childminder ensures they have access to the outdoors where they enjoy playing on the slide, climbing frame and use their imagination in the play house. The childminder organises her resources so that they are readily accessible to the children, encourages the children to dress themselves; promoting their independence.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder ensures she takes detailed information about the child to be able to provide individual care. She ensures her play resources are varied and does not gender stereotype children's play. She ensures she treats children as individuals with their own needs and beliefs. The childminder is positive in her approach. She embraces a variety of different cultures by ensuring play resources depict positive images, encouraging children to respect each other's differences. The childminder has experience of learning difficulties and disabilities and has a positive attitude to providing an inclusive environment. The childminder's behaviour management strategies are appropriate to the children's age and stage of development and focus on discussion, distraction and praise. Children are polite and well behaved in response to the childminder's realistic expectations and example.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents have clear information about the childminder and the service she offers in her port folio. She also displays her policies and procedures, ensuring that parents are well informed about the service offered. Information about the child is shared verbally, through 'learning stories' and by using a contact book which gives an insight into the child's day and how they are progressing. All appropriate written parental consents are in place ensuring parents wishes are respected. There is an informative notice board for parents in the hall. The childminder uses parental questionnaires to evaluate her service and parents made positive comments such as 'the childminder is an empathetic person, the children have formed strong attachments and she provides a warm, playful, caring and safe environment'.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Space and resources are well organised to create a stimulating environment where children are busy playing, learning, resting or eating throughout the day. The childminder takes good account of the children's individual needs when planning their day, however, some written policies do not reflect the childminder's practice. Nevertheless, they work well in practice to keep children healthy and safeguard their welfare. The childminder has attended relevant training to keep her practice up-to-date. She has a good understanding of the National Standards and how this relates to her practice. All the required documentation is in place and well maintained. The parents are very well informed about their child and the childminder's service. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved the information she records about the children. She records detailed information about children's individual needs which helps her to provide appropriate care.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

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

p.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • improve the written policies to reflect the actual procedures that are followed.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5