Our Lady and St Patrick's Roman Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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140695 Unique Reference Number 19 November 2007 Inspection date Ann Hilary Guy 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 registered in 1996. She lives with her husband and one child aged 13 years in a village in mid Buckinghamshire. The childminder uses the whole house 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five part time and nine children over five before and after school part-time. Three of these children are over the age of eight years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She takes children to the local park. The family have no pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children experience a wide range of activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They play in the garden, especially in the good weather, where they have a range of suitable age appropriate equipment. As the childminder does not drive, they enjoy walks around the village,

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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 to the park, allotments and surrounding fields to see the variety of animals, including horses. The visits to the park enable the children to experience large equipment and they become a social gathering point. Children also make use of the adventure area within the school grounds. After collecting the children from school they have a short time on this equipment, weather permitting, before returning to the house. All the children walk each day to and from the school, ensuring they all have fresh air every day, regardless of the weather. The children currently minded rarely have a proper sleep but tend to doze whilst out in the pushchair. A travel cot and suitable bedding is available at the house for any child that requires it.

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Helping children to be healthy

The daily routine enables the children to learn about good hygiene and personal care. Accident and medication records are maintained, although they require a slight amendment to ensure they are sufficiently detailed. The children enjoy a hot, nutritious, freshly cooked meal in the evening. The childminder is very keen on encouraging the children to eat healthily and offers them a balanced evening meal including plenty of fresh ingredients. If the children want a snack they bring a piece of fruit from home and parents are asked to provide a lunch box for their child. Children have access to water at any time of the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good standard of care in this safe, child-friendly environment. Very good use is made of stairgates and the house rules ensure children's safety at all times. The childminder has identified the key areas of risk in her home and has very clear and sound procedures in place to ensure the children remain safe at all times. Children can move freely between the lounge and kitchen, although access is restricted to the dining room. They access the safe and secure garden through the dining room, under the supervision of the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children greatly benefit from the wide range of age appropriate equipment available for them. It is freely accessible in a low storage unit in the kitchen and the content of this is rotated by the childminder with toys stored elsewhere in the house, offering the children access to a very good range of suitable resources. Children's welfare is safeguarded at all times, supported by clear documentation and the childminder's good understanding of the procedures if concerned about a child's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children make good progress in an environment that offers flexible care tailored to the needs of the child and the parents. A wide range of activities, both inside and outside the house, ensure they make progress and develop in all areas. The childminder plans activities for the children, although her plans are flexible and adjusted to meet the children's individual needs on any day. She has established a regular Tuesday morning music session when she is caring for three of a similar age. The children really enjoy this session during which they sing songs, play instruments dance and do action rhymes. Although she does not offer painting in her home, she ensures the children attend groups at which this activity is offered. They enjoy a range of craft activities and drawing with crayons.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children love exploring in the outdoor sandpit and water play in the garden, during the warmer months of the year. They greatly benefit from the individual attention they receive, making all aspects of the day fun and learning opportunities. Children are encouraged to be independent and self select activities from the range available to them. Older children have a specific quiet

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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 area they use to complete their home work, if required. During the day they have many opportunities to explore the wider world through walks in the village and outdoor play in the garden. The childminder is skilled at ensuring their inquisitive minds are well stimulated. The day is well balanced with some quieter times, when they do puzzles and look at books, together with some busy and very active times. Their minds are well stimulated and the childminder is skilled at effectively including all children into the activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are included as part of an extended family to which they develop a strong sense of belonging. Through close working with the parents, ensuring they are fully involved in the care of their child, the childminder skilfully meets the needs of each individual family. Their routines are incorporated into her daily routine in order to give consistency to the children. A wide range of books and pictures, supplemented with those borrowed form the library, help the children to find out about other countries, peoples and cultures. Their daily walks in the village, enable them to learn about the local environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Each child is valued and respected as an individual. Any concerns are shared with the parents in an open and honest manner. Children learn through example to treat each other with courtesy and respect each others needs. The clear house rules for behaviour at all times, both inside and when away from the house, serve to promote the well being and care of all the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Space, time and resources are very effectively organised and ensure the children's individual needs are given priority and helps them to effectively develop. Clear policies and procedures underpin the care offered and work well to promote the children's health, safety and enjoyment. The children are always close to the childminder, who spend much time playing alongside them developing their skills and understanding. Daily discussions with parents, together with clear and well organised information gathering, ensure they are kept fully informed and involved in the care of their child. The childminder is careful not to overbook her places to enable her to offer flexibility to parents working shifts.

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Organisation

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 a complaints procedure available to parents and obtain relevant information relating to child protection. She has included a clear complaints procedure in her policy folder which is available for parents to see at any time and has all the relevant local information regarding child protection. In addition she has completed a distance learning course in child protection run by the NSPCC. This has ensured she has a good understanding of how to positively promote the welfare of the children in her care.

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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

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 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): • ensure times are recorded against all accidents and written parental permission is in place to administer medication

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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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