St Francis Church of England Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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116402 Unique Reference Number 07 June 2007 Inspection date Samantha Hunt 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 1986. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Loudwater, near High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. The whole of the ground floor is 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding four children, under five, on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parents/carer group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has two dogs, a budgie and four chickens who live in a secure run at the top of the garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a paediatric first aid certificate.

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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 begin to become aware of their individual needs as they ask to wash their hands after they have eaten their lunch. Through discussion and practise with the childminder, they learn to become aware of good hygiene. For example, the childminder tells children not to pick up food they have dropped because it may have germs and explains to children why they need to wash hands, as she supports them to do so before eating their lunch. The childminder follows effective hygiene procedures, such as wiping surfaces, before preparing foods and washing her hands.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder collates accurate records of accidents and medication she gives to children. Parents are asked to sign to confirm and acknowledge records on every occasion. The first aid box is easily accessible in a kitchen cupboard, however, some contents are currently out of date.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are nourished. They easily access their own individual cup when they are thirsty. The childminder checks cups and encourages children to drink regularly. The childminder provides children with meals and snacks that include fresh fruit. Where parents provide meals the childminder ensures they are stored correctly in the kitchen, either in individual cool bags or in the fridge. Lunchtime is a social occasion with children sitting around the kitchen table and engaging in conversation with the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to access fresh air as they walk to and from school and nursery. Regular trips to the local parks and playing with ride on vehicles and a sand tray in the garden enables the children to develop their physical skills and good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have plenty of space to spread out and play in an environment that is warm and welcoming. The childminder carries out a daily check of her home prior to children arriving. Safety features such as a fireguard, socket covers, smoke alarms and stair gates help to ensure risks to children’s safety are minimised. She demonstrates a good understanding of how to evacuate her home in the event of an emergency and has a written plan that she shares with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children select from a good range of toys and resources independently. Toys available are developmentally appropriate and stored in brightly colour boxes at the children’s level. The childminder ensures toys and equipment are safe for children to use, through regular checking and maintenance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of child protection and the steps to take to promote children’s welfare and safety. She holds documentation such as contact details for her local authority to guide and support her when reporting a concern.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled. They play happily with and without support from the childminder. They develop independence and make choices as they decide what toys to play with. Children climb comfortably onto the childminder's lap to share books and sing familiar rhymes. The childminder encourages children to point to the pictures; they turn the pages together and talk about the objects they can see.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have regular opportunities to use their imagination and express themselves, as they have pretend tea parties with the dollies and draw pictures with the pencils. The childminder extends their enjoyment and learning through positive interaction at their level. For example, reminding them “we need to wash the cups up well” and encouraging them to find the green and blue pencils out of the container. Children engage well in simple conversation with the childminder. They are confident and make their needs known well, for example, asking to play a matching game. The childminder encourages them to spread the cards out and then gives positive praise when they identify the matching pictures. This helps the children to develop good self esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of the activities the children like to do and is aware of their differing stages of development. She shows enthusiasm and actively involves herself in the children’s play supporting and extending them. This helps them to develop and feel happy in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children begin to feel a sense of belonging because of the close relationship they are forming with the childminder. They are secure in the daily routine and clearly enjoy the childminders company. Children learn to have respect for the toys and their environment, for example, helping to tidy up.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour is good. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of differing behaviour management strategies. Children receive good verbal praise and encouragement from the childminder. She shows the children warmth and kindness and has good awareness of all the children's individual needs. Children engage well in conversation with the childminder, for example, chatting about siblings and others in the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents receive information about the setting that includes behaviour management, sickness, uncollected children and details of how to contact the regulatory to make a complaint. The childminder collates written information such as likes, dislikes and emergency contact numbers from parents. However, she does not currently hold permission to seek emergency medical treatment or take children out on outings from all parents. The childminder collates information with parents prior to children starting and chats to parents on a daily basis to ensure she continues to meet the children’s individual needs effectively.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children move around effectively in a well laid out setting. They are freely accessing toys with ease and initiating their own play. Children are relaxed and interact well with the childminder who clearly likes spending time with them.

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Organisation

All regulatory documentation that contributes to the children’s health and welfare is in place; however, there are some area’s for improvement. The childminder holds an up to date first aid certificate that helps her to act in best interests of the children. Records relating to the children’s attendance are recorded accurately, including times the children arrive and leave.

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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 minimise risks to children safety. The childminder now carries out a daily check of her home to ensure items, such as razors and cleaning fluids are inaccessible to children. The water butt has been removed, the gate is secured and children are supervised when using the garden.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She was also required to provide toys and resources for children from five years to under eight years; and ensure children have access to an appropriate range of activities and resources to promote positive equality of opportunity and anti discriminatory practice. At the time of inspection the childminder was not caring for children over five. However, she now has an adequate range of toys for children over five which includes arts/crafts, books and games. The childminder provides children with resources that promote equality of opportunity, such as books and dolls. she encourages all children, regardless of gender, to participate in and play with toys and resources available. She takes children out into the community and has begun to attend toddler groups from time to time to help children become aware of the wider community.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to provide a first aid box and check contents frequently. The childminder now has a first aid box, however, some contents are currently out of date.

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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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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 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 first aid box is checked regulalry and contents up dated. • improve documentation to ensure all parents have given written consent for children to go on outings, and to seek emergency medical treatment.

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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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