St John's RC Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 105546 Inspection date 29 June 2005 Inspector Jean Williams

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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 1998. She lives with her three school aged children in a house situated on the outskirts of Langley. The whole of the house is used for childminding purposes. The childminder is registered to care for 6 children under 8 years, there are currently 2 children on roll. Children have access to the ground floor toilet and use the first floor for rest .

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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 There is a safely enclosed garden. The childminder is able to take children to and collect them from local schools The family have no pets. The childminder is registered to provide overnight care

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which contribute to their good health. Each day there are outdoor activities such as walks, visits to the park, farm, local places of interest as well as toddler groups or play in the garden. Outings, garden games and regular visits to the park and toddler groups improve the development of children's physical skills. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they are beginning to learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. The childminder has good procedures in place to prevent the spread of infection as well as when attending to children's personal needs. Most documentation is well maintained, which means children are cared for according to their parents wishes. There is no written blanket agreement for the childminder to apply sun cream to the children. Children benefit from a healthy diet, they enjoy varied and nutritious meals and

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Helping children to be healthy

snacks that are provided by the childminder. These take into account special dietary requirements to ensure children remain healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in an environment that is well organised and also offers them the maximum amount of clear available space to carry out their chosen activities. They have easy access to a good range of toys that are suitable for their ages and promote their development. Children are protected from the risks of fire, there are smoke alarms and fire blankets fitted appropriately in the home. The childminder ensures that the home is safe and free from hazards which means that children are able to play both inside and outside independently and with minimum risk of accidents. Effective child protection procedures are in place, which means that children's welfare is safeguarded whilst they are in the childminders care.

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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 The provision is good. Children are very happy, confident and contented in the childminder's care. They enjoy a wide variety of toys and activities that are appropriate to their stage of development and that attract their interest. The childminder offers warmth, support and good care to the children, who are quick to engage with her and request help with their chosen activities. The childminder responds quickly to children's requests, she engages in conversation and answers their questions honestly, showing true interest which makes them feel valued. The childminder praises the children's achievements and gives good encouragement so that they have incentives to complete their activities which assists in developing their skills and powers of concentration. Children are given good individual support by the childminder, she shares in their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

games when invited and responds to their needs effectively. As a result children make good progress in their development in the warm family environment provided by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with respect, they are given choices which helps them to feel good about themselves. The childminder actively involves the parents to ensure that she is kept well informed and thus able to meet the changing needs of the children at all times. The childminder provides the children with a wide range of resources that reflect the wider world in which they live, for example dolls, books, cooking implements in the play kitchen which helps them to develop an understanding of others. Children's behaviour is managed appropriately and according to their ages, they are beginning to learn right from wrong. The childminder has an understanding of the needs of the children, whilst ensuring parent’s views are sought. The childminder responds positively to the children, she has clear and consistent boundaries which helps the children to feel secure and confident. The children enjoy

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the company of the childminder and her family and are happy in their environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good partnership with parents contributes significantly to children's well-being. The childminder ensures that parents are fully informed of their children's progress and development. Information is shared with parents verbally on a daily basis.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children thrive in a child friendly, warm, caring environment. They are happy,

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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 relaxed and confident in the childminder's home, and benefit from her good organisational skills. The childminder has a positive attitude towards updating her existing knowledge, she reads relevant childcare publications issued by the National Childminder Association (NCMA) and discusses current issues with other childminders. The childminder maintains all documentation and provides parents with policies at the start of their child's placement. Notices are also displayed for the parents information in the child minder's sitting room. Parents are kept fully informed of their children developmental progress and daily activities by the childminder at the end of each day. 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 asked to make sure that she informed parents of the procedures to follow should they require to make a complaint. This has now been achieved, the childminder has displayed a poster on the door of the sitting room which is clear and legible to parents. New parents also receive a handout with the policies of the childminding service at the start of the placement.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that written permission is obtained from parents to apply creams to children

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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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