St John's Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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147898 Unique Reference Number 02 May 2007 Inspection date Kim Mundy 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 has been registered since 1995. She lives with her husband and two adult children in a six bedroom house in Edgware in the London borough of Harrow. The lounge and kitchen areas of the house are used for childminding and 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five. She walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children and takes children to local pre-school groups. The childminder is a member of the Harrow Childminding Network. The family has no pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very clean home and they are learning good hygiene practices as they wash their hands before eating, after toileting and playing outdoors. The childminder wears protective clothing to minimise cross-infections, for example, when changing nappies.

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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 Children's health is supported by the good policies and procedures in place for accidents and medication administration. They receive suitable emergency treatment as the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. Children are protected from the sun as parents are required to provide sun cream and hats.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy nutritious and home made snacks and meals made by the childminder who holds a food and hygiene certificate. Children eat comfortably at the kitchen table and a high chair is available for babies. Parents are required to provide babies food and milk. Babies are fed in a warm and relaxing atmosphere as the childminder talks softly to them. Therefore, they are happy and content.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy daily fresh air and exercise as they experience regular outings to the park and local pre-school groups where a wider range of physical activities are available. In the childminder's secure and safe garden, they are able to use push and pull-a-long toys, skipping ropes and balls. Babies lie comfortably on a blanket while kicking their legs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe and secure on the premises. The childminder has taken necessary steps to ensure their safety, for example, keeping hazardous items out of reach and practising the fire drill with the children. The childminder places a strong emphasis on children's safety when out and about in the car. She ensures they have the appropriate car seat for their individual needs in relation to their weight, height and age.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a good range of nursery furniture and equipment to meet the needs of babies and children, for example, travel cot, high chair, rocker, buggy, changing mat, child-size table and chairs. The childminder sets out toys and resources which are bright and colourful to attract children's attention as they arrive. Children are able to make choices about what they want to play with as they help themselves from the toy boxes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has knowledge of possible signs and symptoms of abuse, and she is aware of the necessary action to take if concerns arise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has a range of good quality toys and resources to meet the needs of the ages of children attending. There is a colourful selection of toys for young babies such as activity centres and musical toys. Babies are happy and relaxed as the childminder speaks softly and constantly to them and they makes good eye contact as the childminder plays with puppets. Babies enjoy listening to classical music during quiet times in the day and smile in response to the childminder singing 'Twinkle twinkle little star'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are investigating resources with different textures. This helps them to make sense of the world and respond to what they see, hear, feel and touch. Children are being creative as they paint, stick, draw and use stencils. They enjoy mixing paint on their hands whilst observing the changes in colour. Children are developing their imagination as they make tents using blankets over the dining table and they particularly like washing and dressing the dolls.

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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 are developing their problem solving skills as they: fit puzzles together; thread pasta; build with bricks; post shapes; and float and sink objects in the water play. They are having fun and they are able to make good progress with the caring and encouraging support from the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children gain self-assurance and confidence as the childminder praises them consistently. This encourages them to try new activities in a safe and supportive environment. The childminder is in tune with the baby's needs and meets them affectionately. The children's personalities, likes and dislikes are well understood by the childminder. This means that she is able to provide for their individual interests, for example, imaginative play materials of their choice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to develop an awareness of diversity through a range of toys and resources such as music, dolls, posters and books. They enjoy making noodles and using chopsticks when celebrating Chinese New Year.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are secure and comfortable because parents share information about their child’s individual needs, interests and experiences with the childminder at the outset of childminding arrangements. The gradual settling in procedure ensures children's emotional wellbeing is met. Children receive consistent care as there is a daily exchange of information with parents about their day. The childminder is attentive to children's needs and as a result, the children are happy.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a very welcoming home. The childminder is very warm, affectionate and caring towards the children who are relaxed and happy in her care. Through flexible routines, she meets the children's individual needs effectively, for example, bottle feeding, nappy changing, playing and resting.

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Organisation

The childminder is keen to develop her knowledge and skills to benefit the children by attending more training opportunities. She has attended the course Birth to three matters, although planning, observing and evaluating children's progress in line with the framework has not been refined.

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Organisation

All records and documentation are well-organised and maintained. The childminder's written policies and procedures underpin the good practice in place. This contributes to the safe and efficient management of the childminding provision and promotes the care, learning and welfare of the children.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was required to: obtain written consent from parents for the seeking of emergency medical treatment or advice; provide resources that promote positive images of gender, culture, ethnicity and disability; obtain a copy of the government

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Improvements 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 booklet 'what to do if you're worried a child is being abused'; and to ensure hazardous plants in the garden are not accessible to children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has obtained parent consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice and she has a copy of the government booklet regarding child abuse. Therefore, children's health and welfare are promoted. The hazardous plants in the garden have been removed and as a result, children are safe. The childminder has provided a range of toys and resources to promote positive images of gender, culture, ethnicity and disability. Consequently, this helps children to learn about the world in which they live.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 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): • continue to develop the planning of activities, for example, by using to 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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