St Gregory's RC High School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 105582 Inspection date 18 October 2005 Inspector Anne Fox

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1999. She lives with her family in a house in Slough within walking distance of local schools, parks and shops. The whole of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden. The family have a dog and a cat. The childminder is currently caring for five children, one child full-time and the others on a part-time basis. The childminder attends local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis and meets

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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 with other childminders.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are kept healthy, they play in a hygienic environment where the childminder maintains a good standard of cleanliness. Children begin to develop good hygiene routines, they wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Children have supervised contact with family pets and are protected from infection because the childminder makes sure the dog and cat are wormed, vaccinated frequently and checks the garden is clean and safe to play in. Children are well cared for when they are sick, the childminder responds appropriately if they become very unwell, she contacts the parents and seeks further medical support if necessary. Children enjoy healthy snacks throughout the day, other meals are provided by their parents and the childminder stores these appropriately in the fridge. Children independently help themselves to drinks and satisfy their thirst throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular outside play both in the garden and at the local parks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe in an environment where the childminder identifies hazards and removes them. They learn about how to keep safe on outings, the childminder teaches them to hold hands, walk slowly by the road and listen to her instruction. Young children are kept safe, they go in the pushchair or wear reins on outings. Children independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises childrens' choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. She closely supervises the children when they play on the trampoline in the garden. The childminder safeguards and promotes children’s welfare and has all the required procedures and documents in place. For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a secure understanding of child protection procedures in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, they play well in the childminder’s home, enjoying the attention from the childminder, they sing songs and look at books together. Children's

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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 language is developing very well, the childminder asks appropriate questions and is very enthusiastic and interested in the children's answers. Children develop confidence and self-esteem through the opportunities to try new activities and express themselves and their ideas. Children are beginning to become familiar with numbers, they count the stairs as they go up to the bathroom. Children move confidently around the setting, making suggestions to the childminder who responds appropriately. They enjoy using appropriate resources such as building a toy roadway, reading books and using outdoor equipment, suitable for their age and stage of development. The childminder carefully plans activities so that all age groups can play harmoniously together. Children enjoy socialising with other

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children at local toddler and pre-school groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy and secure in this environment where they receive appropriate support and care from the childminder. Children's individual needs are met because the childminder has a good two-way communication system with parents and shares any concerns and relevant information daily. Children behave very well, they enjoy the positive praise and encouragement they receive from the childminder who has clear ground rules and boundaries. Children are valued and respected. The childminder meets each child's individual needs and follows their own routine after careful discussion with the child's parents. Children are able to sleep and rest whenever they choose. Children learn about the local community as they walk around the neighbourhood. The childminder ensures children have some experiences to enhance their understanding of others through books.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are at home and at ease in the well-organised environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder effectively uses the policies and procedures to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. She shares them regularly with parents to keep them well-informed about the service and their child's activities. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care. Children are protected from strangers because the childminder ensures they are closely supervised on outings. The childminder is generally well organised with her documentation, she retains records for an appropriate length of time and securely, however she does not keep a record of children's existing injuries and does not have written authorisation for children to use the trampoline. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection the childminder has improved her documentation. She makes sure that all parents sign the accident, incident and medication record, keeps an accurate record of attendance and has informed parents that she does not smoke when childminding. This ensures children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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): • Keep a written record of any existing injuries and obtain written permission from parents for their children to use the trampoline.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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