St Teresa's Catholic Primary School and Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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102231 Unique Reference Number 01 August 2007 Inspection date Heather Tanswell 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 1993. She lives with her husband and grown up son, in the centre of Hayle, in Cornwall. The whole of the ground floor area of the property is used for childminding. 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 10 children, all on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She visits the local library, takes children to the local parks and beaches and on nature walks. The family has a pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She receives information and support from Penwith Family Services.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from being cared for in a warm, well-ventilated, clean and hygienic environment where standards of cleanliness are very good. The childminder makes sure all areas of the home

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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 are clean before children arrive each day. The pet dog undergoes routine health checks. The childminder scrupulously washes hers and children's hands after toileting and nappy changing routines are complete. However, the shared use of the bathroom hand towel poses a risk of cross infection. The childminder keeps detailed accident and medication records and appropriate signed consents from parents. She holds a current first aid certificate and has access to a well-stocked first aid kit. This ensures children receive appropriate care in an emergency of if they become unwell.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eat the food provided by their parents sat at the dining room table, which promotes good manners and eating habits. Regular drinks throughout the day and especially in hot weather and on outings ensure children stay properly hydrated in warm weather. Children have regular access to fresh air. They can move between the indoor and outdoor environment at will. Babies sleep outside weather permitting, in their pushchairs. Older children relax on comfortable sofas.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children receive a warm welcome into a well-laid out home environment. The designated playroom is colourfully decorated with photographs of minded children and their artwork. Safety equipment is installed about the downstairs of the home with smoke alarms fitted on both levels. Their use ensures children stay out of harms way from hazards such as stairs and that they cannot gain unsupervised access to the kitchen. Socket covers are in place, smoke alarms and heating appliances undergo routine checks by an approved contractor to keep children safe from harm. However, sharp knives are accessible to children in the kitchen. The childminder has devised an emergency evacuation plan, which she shares with children. Access to the house is carefully monitored. The door is kept locked at all times and older children know not to open it but to alert the childminder when someone arrives.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder reminds them how to manage dangers, for example, waiting for another child to be properly seated with his feet up, before pushing the ride-on car around the garden path. Children gain easy, safe access to the age appropriate range of good quality toys stored in low-level shelves and crates. All the toys and equipment undergo regular scrutiny for cleanliness and broken parts to ensure they stay in good condition. Children are safeguarded from harm as the childminder has a sound working knowledge of child protection procedures based on professional guidance documents and training. The childminder undertakes additional risk assessments to cover outings to parks and beaches, which ensure hazards are identified, managed and minimised.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are extremely happy and settled in the childminders care. They particularly value the close friendships they develop with other children and the childminder herself. Older children happily help younger ones learn the rules of and play complex board games or drive around the garden, which maintains the family atmosphere, develops caring attitudes and learning. Daily routines respect children's interests, their need to be active, and rest at times that suit them best. Discussions over a relaxing break provide children with time to plan what to do later in the day. Regular outings to local parks, beaches and country walks enables children to learn more about their culture and explore more open spaces.

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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 Children learn through play as they take part in activities alongside the childminder. The childminder takes care to show understanding, respect and interest in everything children say and do. For example, very young children learn the purpose of mark making to share meaning. A child wanting to send his mother and father kisses expresses this desire by saying their names, blowing kisses and pointing to the paper he draws on. The childminder helps him draw crosses on the paper, which makes him giggle with joy as he recognises his gestures have been recorded to take home and share. He then picks up a crayon and attempts to write over the marks and words that the childminder has drawn, which supports his hand-to-eye co-ordination and emergent writing. Children use their imagination and develop their creative skills as they collect

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

natural materials they find on outings, and later use them to collage pictures and decorate garden features.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued as individuals, their needs known and respected. Children learn about their own culture as they take part in activities and outings that celebrate the natural coastal environment they live in, and celebrations such as Christmas and Easter. Children handle a range of toys that show positive images of gender roles. However, they rarely make use of resources that show positive images of other cultures, religions, and people with disability. The childminder has some experience of working with children with learning disabilities and recognises the importance of working closely with other professionals to meet a range of needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved, confident and relaxed in the childminder's company. Children show great respect for the childminder, her home and the other minded children. They take care of each other, play well together, join in and help tidy away happily. Younger children also enjoy the company of the pet dog, who also enjoys fully joining in with routines and games. The friendly atmosphere the childminder creates around her promotes good relationships and children's sense of emotional security, independence and growing self-esteem. Parents have sight of the childminders policies and procedures as part of settling in visits. Daily informal feedback keeps them informed about their child's routines and activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are well cared for by an experienced childminder in a relaxed and friendly family home. Children feel at home and at ease in the mostly well-organised environment. Policies and procedures are used to promote the welfare, care, and learning of children. They are shared appropriately with parents to keep them informed about their child's well-being.

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Organisation

The childminder attends training to update her knowledge and skills, such as the Introduction to the Early Years Foundation Stage and Tactile Play. Children particularly benefit from regular outings that give them space to actively explore the natural environment and play out in the fresh air. 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 provider agreed to ensure that parents are provided with separate copies of policies covering behavioural management and equality of opportunity, and to obtain written consent prior to the administration of any medication. The childminder now shares her policies with all new parents to ensure they are fully informed about how she promotes good

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Improvements 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 behaviour and equality. Signed written consents are now filed in confidence with children's personal records.

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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): • minimise the risk of cross infection by using individual hand towels for children • make sharp knives inaccessible to children • provide play materials and activities, which reflect diversity.

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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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