St Joseph's Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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100833 Unique Reference Number 18 April 2007 Inspection date Shirley Ann Jackson 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 1996 and may care for a maximum of six children at any one time. An assistant supports her with the collection of children from school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her child aged 14 years in a residential area of Gloucester. Childminding takes place in the playroom, conservatory and the spare bedroom. There is an enclosed rear garden with patio and grass areas.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds relevant childcare qualifications. She has completed the Introduction to Childminding Practice, Developing Childminding Practice and the Extending Childminding Practice qualification. She has recently completed a NVQ level 3 in childcare. The childminder attends the local parent-and-toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder provides a drop-off and collection service from local schools and surrounding areas. She is a member of the Gloucester Childminding Network and the Minders of Gloucester childminding support group. There are currently nine children on roll aged from three to 11 years.

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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 develop a good understanding of positive hygiene procedures through established routines. The childminder reminds them to do this, for example, as they go off to use the toilet. Children take off their jackets and shoes when they arrive at the childminder's home and store them safely. This helps them to understand about keeping the play areas clean and tidy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is promoted as the childminder has clear procedures in place for dealing with accidents, emergencies and administering medication. Children are provided with paper towels to dry their hands with. She informs parents about the importance of keeping sick children at home. These measures help to minimise the risk of cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered regular drinks, snacks and meals in adequate quantities for their needs. Children sit together at the table to eat. This develops their social skills and manners. The childminder is aware of the importance of healthy eating and enjoying a balanced diet. Children learn about a healthy lifestyle as they take part in cooking activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to enjoy physical activity and fresh air. The children are able to use the childminder's garden where they can play with a variety of equipment including a small climbing frame, large trampoline, play house and sand pit. The childminder regularly takes the children to a nearby park where they can play on the equipment or play games organised by the childminder, such as, cricket. This develops children's spatial awareness and encourages them to play independently and as part of a team.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have access to a wide range of toys and resources. These are good quality, are well maintained and meet safety standards. Children can choose what they want to play with as the childminder has made most of the resources easily accessible to the children. For example, toys are stored in plastic boxes, in bookcases and on low level units. This gives children choices in their play and encourages independence skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can move freely and safely within the available space as the childminder has identified and minimised most potential risks. However, the childminder has a large trampoline in her garden. This has no safety netting and is situated close to a rotary washing line. This poses a risk to children's safety. Children's safety is promoted on outings through the childminder's use of good safety procedures. Children learn about keeping themselves safe as the childminder gives them clear explanations when they may be at risk. For example, when a toy was thrown.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted by the childminder. She has attended training which has given her a sound knowledge of the indicators of abuse. She is aware of the correct procedures to follow if she has any concerns about a child in her care. She is also aware of the procedure if an allegation is made against her. All of these policies are shared with parents.

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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. The childminder has a daily routine in place. This is flexible to allow the children to follow their own interests. Children confidently choose what they want to play with from the stimulating range on offer. Children of different ages play well together. This gives children choice in their play and learning and helps them to work together.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's creativity is promoted as they take part in regular arts and crafts activities. For example, younger children have free access to paint, paper and mark-making equipment. Older children are offered more challenging activities, such as, decorating polystyrene eggs with sequins. The childminder gives children the chance to finish activities to a satisfactory conclusion, for example, when drawing. Children's communication skills are developed as the childminder is interested in what the children say, listens carefully and responds appropriately. Children's maths skills are fostered as they look at everyone's height on a chart in the playroom. The childminder builds a love of books with the children as she regularly reads books to the children. Children's imagination is promoted as they play for some time with small world resources, such as, the dolls house and the cars and road mat.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children settle well in the childminder's home. They have positive relationships with the childminder which builds their self-esteem and helps them to feel secure. Children learn social skills and meet and play with different children and adults as they visit toddler groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have access to a suitable range of resources which reflect positive images of the wider community. This helps children to become aware of diversity and to value others. Children learn about and become involved in the local community as they walk to the nearby park. All children have access to all resources and this choice is respected. This builds their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children build positive relationships with the childminder, her family and the other children attending. The childminder encourages children to help themselves to resources by making most of them accessible. This gives them choice in their play and gives them a sense of belonging. The childminder encourages the children to do what they can for themselves, such as, putting on their shoes before they go out. This develops their independence skills. Children learn about positive behaviour as the childminder gives them clear explanations when behaviour is unacceptable.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder builds friendly, working relationships with parents. New parents are invited to look through her folder containing her policies and procedures and her training certificates. Information regarding the child's individual routine is gathered. This enables the childminder to offer consistent and appropriate care. The childminder chats to parents at the end of the day. Information is shared about how the child has been and what they have done. This helps to keep parents informed and involved.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are comfortable and settle well in the childminder's home. The childminder organises the available space effectively to enable children to initiate most of their own play. Children

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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 move around the space confidently and independently. The childminder is on hand to help them when needed, but knows when to step back to let the children take the lead in their play.

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Organisation

The childminder has produced comprehensive written policies and procedures. These reflect her practice and support the quality service which she offers. These documents are shared with parents. This ensures they are well informed about the provision.

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Organisation

The childminder is well qualified and experienced. She attends a training course on a regular basis and has attended a high number in the last few years. This helps to develop her practice and the experiences she offers to the children. The childminder makes good use of all support offered to her to improve the service she offers to children and parents. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to; develop knowledge and understanding of identifying special needs and appropriate action to take to promote children's welfare and development, obtain written permission from parents for children to travel in a vehicle and request written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's health has improved as the childminder has obtained written permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment or advice. Children's safety has improved as the childminder obtains written parental consent to transport children in a vehicle. The childminder is now able to support children with learning difficulties or disabilities as she has attended a training course to support her in this area.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Concerns were received in December 2006. These related to National Standard 1 - Suitable Person and National Standard 6 - Safety.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted visited the provider to discuss the concerns raised and were satisfied from the discussions with the provider that the National Standards in relation to those concerns were now being maintained. As a result of concerns identified during the visit, an action was set under National Standard 14 - Documentation; to 'inform Ofsted of any significant changes'.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider responded to Ofsted to confirm that suitable measures had been taken to meet the action set. No further action was taken and the provider continues to be registered.

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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 that the large trampoline does not pose a risk to children's safety

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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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