St Peter's High School

Inspection report for early years provision

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115214 Unique Reference Number 10 September 2007 Inspection date Jackie Liffen 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 has been registered since 2000. She lives with her husband and three children aged eight, six and two in Brenchley, Kent. The whole ground floor 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 three children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five and one over five on a part time basis. The childminder drives to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children, and attends the local toddler group. The family have two chickens, two ducklings and tropical fish.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are encouraged to maintain hygienic routines as the childminder provides individual towels and a step stool to help them reach the basin. They are protected from infection because the childminder uses an anti-bacterial cleanser to wipe surfaces. Children are learning to understand simple good health practices when they are encouraged to wash their hands, using

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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 anti-bacterial soap and individual towels, before eating and after visiting the toilet. However, occasionally younger children forget to wash them immediately before eating snacks. Children's welfare is promoted because parents always give detailed instructions for the administration of medicines and these are stored appropriately. Children take part in regular exercise as they go for walks or play on wheeled toys in the paved area of the garden; older children extend their physical abilities on some of the larger apparatus in the garden, such as the trampoline. Younger children sleep in a large travel cot and older ones rest on the comfortable sofa, whenever they are tired.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished because parents take responsibility for providing all their food. Children with allergies or special dietary needs are catered for well by the childminder because she is careful to keep them away from anything that might affect them adversely. Children help themselves to a drink when they are thirsty from non-spillable cups which are left within their reach.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are welcomed into the childminder's secure, child-friendly, safe premises where they easily access a wide range of age-appropriate, safe and attractive toys and activities. They enjoy playing in the extremely large garden, closely supervised by the childminder to ensure that they are protected from possible dangers. The childminder has a safety check list on file which reminds her of various tasks to undertake in order to maintain safety for children within the setting. Children are protected from possible dangers because the childminder uses a range of strategies to keep them safe. For example, she ensures that all medication is out of reach and prevents children from accessing the stairs or the kitchen by the careful use of stairgates. The childminder writes a suitable evacuation plan in case of fire and ensures that children are familiar with this so that they are prepared to escape if necessary. Children are safe on outings because

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the childminder takes precautions and ensures that she has sufficient equipment and documentation with her to seek help if needed. Children's welfare is safeguarded very well by the childminder who holds a certificate from recent training and continues to ensure that her knowledge and child protection procedures are up to date.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle happily into the setting and seek out toys and activities according to their interests, likes and dislikes. The childminder has a good knowledge of children's individual needs so that each one is happily involved and included in all activities. The childminder provides a secure, loving situation where children are helped to reach their potential through encouragement and stimulation. Children are beginning to interact and show awareness of the listener because the childminder sits on the floor to play with them, asking thoughtful questions all the time. They are beginning to use speech to organise and explore real and imagined experiences, ideas and feelings and clearly make requests when appropriate. They are becoming confident to explore and investigate the wide range of toys as they experiment in homely surroundings where their security and welfare is paramount. Children spontaneously join in

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

singing and action rhymes and are also learning about the seasons and nature as they go on walks and outings through the surrounding countryside. Children are becoming independent as they take themselves to the toilet or choose different toys to play with. They capably investigate the properties of different materials and experience pre-maths as they try to post

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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 shapes into the right receptacle. Children relate well to each other as they happily play together on the comfortable floor in the living room; even the youngest children join in and express themselves on paper using crayons; helped on a one to one basis by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are highly valued and respected by the childminder who ensures that she is familiar with their individual needs so that each one is involved and included. The childminder researches different ways of undertaking multicultural activities which she puts into practice by singing or reading stories so that children assimilate an awareness of other religions, cultures and the varying nature of society. Children benefit from resources which help them value diversity and develop a positive image of themselves. For example, they play with small figures of different nationalities, and use appropriate skin tone crayons when expressing themselves on paper. Children with specific needs and disabilities are cared for well by the childminder who liaises with parents to try and continue any daily routines. The childminder has some experience of caring for children with allergies and particular syndromes but tends to look on the internet to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

improve on her knowledge if necessary. Children are learning to respond to appropriate expectations for their behaviour whilst developing self esteem because the childminder takes every opportunity to reinforce their good behaviour and frequently praises them. Children are becoming aware of their own needs and beginning to respect the needs of others as they play harmoniously in a calm, happy environment where they rarely misbehave because they are always interested and involved. Children are secure because the childminder works closely with parents to ensure that their continuity of care is enhanced. For example, she ensures that parents give written permissions to various things such as seeking emergency medical attention and taking photographs. The childminder shares information and the care with parents by using a notebook to inform them of their children's activities and achievements.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's security and development are enhanced because the childminder has a clear sense of purpose and a commitment to improvement. She undertakes relevant courses and revises her documentation in the light of any new legislation or recommendations. For example, she is studying the information received regarding the new Early Years Foundation Stage. Children's welfare is guarded by the childminder although her first aid certificate is out of date. Children thrive in the setting because the childminder does everything possible to help them progress, whilst promoting their happiness and enjoyment. Children's safety, achievement and ability to take an active part in the setting are enhanced by the childminder who organises the setting to enable them to play and learn in comfort. She holds some written policies and procedures which help to ensure that children's well-being and security is maintained. Their continuity of

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Organisation

care is promoted because the childminder understands the regulations and makes sure that parents are involved and informed of any relevant circumstances regarding their children. Children benefit because the childminder understands the need to investigate complaints and keep appropriate records; these are confidentially filed. The childminder puts all relevant child care information into neatly presented files in order to help inform parents and increase children's security within the setting.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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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

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to add an equal opportunities policy to the service statement. This she has completed. She is also using contact books so that parents appreciate receiving informal information about their children's achievements and progress. The childminder has a written sheet regarding child protection which was asked for at the last inspection. She has also produced a service statement. In response to the request to produce an illness policy the childminder has produced information for parents which includes a statement about parents not sending sick children.

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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 that children wash their hands immediately before eating • ensure that first aid certificate is up to date.

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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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