Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary

Inspection report for early years provision

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114278 Unique Reference Number 24 May 2007 Inspection date Lisa Toole 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 was registered in 1986. She lives with her husband and one adult child in Burgess Hill, West Sussex. The whole ground floor and one first floor bedroom of the childminder's house 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 eight on a part and full-time basis. The childminder collects children from a local school. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from the clean and very well maintained environment in which they are cared for. Effective daily routines regarding practices such as nappy changing reduce risks of cross infection to other children and contribute to their good health. Children are able to rest and

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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 sleep according to their individual routine and there are appropriate procedures in place for checking them as they sleep, as part of the childminder's safety measures. Children are well cared for if they are taken ill while in the childminder's care but she does not have a current first aid certificate in place. This impacts on how she is able to treat accidents that children may have. The mandatory accident and medication records and consents are all in place and this contributes to children's health in a positive way. Emotionally, children are well cared for and this means they feel settled and secure in her care. They receive plenty of cuddles and comfort from the childminder and she has a warm caring and friendly approach with the children she cares for.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with regular meals and snacks, which means that they are kept hydrated and are well nourished. The majority of parents supply their children's food but the childminder works in partnership with them to ensure their children establish healthy eating patterns and are well fed. Meal times are valued as an important social time of the day, when everyone comes together at the table to eat. Younger babies are held close when given their bottle of milk, reinforcing their sense of belonging.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical development is well supported an they have daily opportunities to get fresh air and exercise as part of their healthy lifestyle. Activities to support their gross motor development include outdoor play in the garden and trips to the local park, farms and indoor soft play activity centres. Babies are appropriately supported as they gain physical strength and learn to sit, crawl, stand and walk. Children's fine motor skills are encouraged through activities such as mark making, construction, doing puzzles and art and craft. During the inspection children have lots of fun using a spray bottle to water plants around the garden, requiring good hand to eye coordination and physical strength.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment which is safe and secure, as well as being warm and welcoming. They confidently move around the premises, demonstrating that they feel comfortable and secure in their surroundings. There is a good amount of clear floor space, enabling them to play and move around freely and children who need to sleep are able to do so in a quiet area. Equipment is easily accessible to children so they are able to decide for themselves what they play with and the range supports children's developmental needs in all key areas of learning. The equipment is of a good quality and is very well maintained, which ensures it is always suitable for the children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Potential hazards in the home have been reduced as part of the childminder's careful approach to the children's safety and well-being. Children are always supervised when playing outdoors in the garden and on outings they benefit from learning important messages about good road safety, while babies and younger toddlers are securely strapped into the pushchair. Children's welfare is also safeguarded in relation to child protection. The childminder has a secure understanding of both the possible signs and symptoms of child abuse and the safeguarding procedures that have to be followed where a cause for concern is raised.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy, settled and confident in the childminder's care. She has established close and positive relationships with the children, spends time playing with them, listening to

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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 what they have to say and are doing with interest. Babies are also encouraged to communicate and the childminder responds positively to the sounds they are vocalising as part of their early communication skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are offered a varied range of activities to support their development in all areas, including physical, intellectual and social. They engage in art and craft activities such as painting and sticking, do singing, mark making activities and also do everyday tasks such as collecting the post and learning about colours, numbers and names of items while food shopping at the supermarket. These kinds of activities enable children to gain skills through first hand practical experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Although the childminder's day to day practice does reflect many elements of the Birth to three matters framework, she is not using it formally in her every day care of the under three year olds, which does not ensure that their developmental and individual needs are well supported.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Equality of opportunity is positively promoted and encouraged by the childminder. Children are able to play with all toys, regardless of their gender, and there is a good range of equipment that supports all children's needs and includes resources that reflect positive images of diversity, ethnicity and disability. This helps children learn about their wider world in an anti-discriminatory way, treating everyone with respect. Children learn to develop a positive self image and are supported within their own capabilities. Any developmental concerns are raised with parents and activities adapted to meet any child's learning difficulty or disability. This promotes inclusion and shows that all children are equally valued.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's self esteem and confidence is fostered through regular praise and encouragement and from positive reinforcement by the childminder. They learn important messages about right and wrong and age appropriate strategies are used to deal with any negative behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely in partnership with parents, considering the children's welfare and this helps ensure their needs are well supported. Settling-in visits are used as important opportunities to find out about the child and their family and individual routines are discussed and followed according to the parents' wishes. Each parent is offered daily verbal feedback to find out what their child has been doing and how they have been. The childminder also ensures that all necessary written consents regarding emergency medical treatment, for outings and transporting children in her car are in place. This means that parents are fully aware of her childminding practices, regarding the care of their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. All of the records that contribute to the safety, care and welfare of the minded children are in place, are accurately maintained and stored securely for confidentiality. The childminder understands her role and responsibilities regarding the children's care and development. She does not, however, have a current first aid certificate in place and has a limited understanding of the Birth to three matters framework.

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Organisation

She ensures that children are offered a good variety of interesting activities and regular outings enhance her provision and enable children to develop important social skills. She maintains her

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 home to a high standard and children benefit from her well organised approach to her minding. All of the children received good support and are cared for in line with their parents' wishes. Children are kept safe from any unvetted persons and the childminder works within her conditions of registration. 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 set two recommendations. These related to written consent for emergency medical treatment and child protection procedures being accessible to parents. Since the last inspection the childminder has requested written consent for emergency medical treatment for all minded children. This safeguards their welfare in the event of an emergency and also means that children are cared for according to their parents' wishes. The child protection procedures are easily accessible in the childminder's file and are available to parents so they are fully aware of the childminder's responsibilities regarding their children's safety and well-being.

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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.

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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 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 an appropriate first aid certificate is maintained • develop an understanding of 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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