St John Bosco Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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108844 Unique Reference Number 30 August 2007 Inspection date Alison Weaver 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. The childminder regularly works with an assistant. She lives with her partner and two children aged six and 10 years. They live in a house in Eastbourne near to a school, shops and parks. The whole of the ground floor of the property and an upstairs bedroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder has one dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time when working alone. When working with an assistant she is registered to care for eight children. She is currently minding three children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very clean and well-maintained environment. They learn about good personal hygiene through very effective everyday routines and general discussion. They often

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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 chat together and remind each other about the need to wash their hands, particularly before handling food. They develop an excellent understanding of germs and the importance of keeping clean. The children have easy access to a toilet and wash basin so that helps them develop their independence.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder gives high priority to health and hygiene and takes the appropriate steps to prevent the spread of infection. These include wearing disposable gloves for nappy changing and having clean bed linen for sleeping children. However, the use of a shared towel for the children is less effective at preventing cross infection. There are good procedures in place for the care of sick children to ensure they are well cared for. Clear accident procedures and the childminder's up-to-date first aid training means that she can act in the best interest of children should they have an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s health is promoted by a healthy and nutritious diet provided by the childminder. The children have choices from a wide range of freshly cooked and homemade meals. They help to prepare the snacks and meals together. Children enjoy a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables on a daily basis. They develop a very good understanding of what is a healthy diet. At snack times, they start their own discussions about what is good to eat and why. They talk about how some foods can harm children with allergies. They are developing their understanding of the importance of drinking lots of water, saying that they need to drink a lot ‘so they have energy’. The childminder interacts very effectively with the children to extend their thinking and understanding of being healthy. She makes sure that children have ready access to drinks so that they keep their bodies hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Physical activities are a regular feature of the day, both indoors and outdoors. The children develop good physical skills and learn about how their bodies work as they play. They enjoy plenty of fresh air and have easy access to the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a secure and well-organised home where risks are assessed and minimised very effectively. The childminder is very proactive as she uses the accident records to assess risks to individual children and then puts in place further safety measures if necessary. This helps children play and move around freely without hurting themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A detailed emergency evacuation plan, smoke alarms and an accessible fire blanket contribute to keeping children safe in the event of a fire. The childminder practices fire drills with the children so that they learn how to look after themselves if there is a fire. She also makes effective use of everyday opportunities that naturally arise to reinforce children’s awareness of fire safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a good range of toys and resources that are safe and age appropriate. These are all well maintained so that children can play free from harm. The toys are generally stored safely and accessibly to promote children's independence. However, some of the shelving in the conservatory is less secure. The children learn how to play with the toys safely and are helped to understand the importance of considering the safety of others. Older children learn that they need to play with their smaller toys away from the toddlers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Effective procedures for the collection of children and the childminder’s good knowledge of child protection procedures contribute to the safeguarding of children. In addition, the

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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 childminder has clear procedures for outings to help keep children safe whilst in her care; for example, child restraints are used and emergency contacts are in place. Children learn how to keep themselves safe when they go out. They practise crossing roads safely with the childminder. They develop an awareness of stranger danger and the need to be cautious around strange dogs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children soon settle when they arrive at the childminder’s home. They are happy and confident in her care. The childminder creates a child friendly environment that includes named low coat pegs to help children develop their sense of belonging. Children enjoy themselves, making their own choices from a good range of age appropriate toys and activities, which challenge and stimulate them. Children enthusiastically participate in the wide variety of activities provided. They have fun joining in imaginary play such as shops.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a range of fun and interesting experiences outside the home, including outings to Battle Abbey and Pevensey Castle where they learn about local history. They visit a circus with the childminder and then act out what they have seen the next day. They dress up as clowns and do dancing. The younger children have opportunities to develop their social skills as they attend local toddler groups.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children play very happily together in the setting. The childminder devotes her time to playing with the children and supporting them in their play. They develop skills such as letter recognition and phonics. The childminder shows the children how to hold pencils correctly, as they attempt to write their names. They experience different craft activities, including sticking and painting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder builds good close, caring relationships with the children. They communicate easily together and children thrive in the atmosphere of praise and encouragement. She helps children improve their vocabulary and language skills by talking to them and questioning them effectively. She encourages the children to express their ideas and thoughts. The children develop a love of books as they look at them with the childminder. The positive interaction by the childminder helps the children to achieve and learn to be independent.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's awareness of the wider world is promoted by the use of a satisfactory range of resources that show positive images of diversity. The childminder talks to the children about differences in a positive way. She extends children’s understanding of diversity through some craft and cooking activities where they learn about different foods and celebrations. For example, they learn about Chinese New Year and Divali. Children’s home backgrounds are respected and they are valued as individuals. The childminder works closely with parents to support children and meet their individual needs. The childminder has some experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She ensures that all children are included in all the activities and that they have the necessary care and support.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s self-esteem develops well as the childminder continually offers praise and encouragement. The children develop an understanding of appropriate behaviour as the childminder explains about right and wrong to them. Children learn to show care and concern

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 for others. Older children help the childminder do jobs and look after the younger ones. When a child gets upset, the other children try to help him. They learn to share their toys and take turns as they play together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides some helpful written information about her policies and practices for parents. However, parents are not given the correct procedure relating to complaints. There is a good welcome leaflet given to new children where the childminder explains in simple terms what care she will be giving them. There is a daily verbal and written exchange of information with parents to help provide consistent care for each child. Parents are very happy with the care she provides.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children receive good support from the childminder and benefit from a day that meets their daily routine needs. As a result, children feel settled and secure. The childminder also makes use of an assistant to give the children extra support and attention. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

The majority of the required documentation and consents are in place and satisfactorily maintained. Overall, the documentation helps to support the care of children and complies with the regulations. However, the record of attendance does not include sufficient detail regarding times when the children and the assistant are present.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps herself informed of some current childcare practices by attending further training. She does not have up to date knowledge of the changes to the National Standards. In particular, the childminder does not have any knowledge of the regulation relating to complaints. This is a breach of regulations, as the childminder is unaware of how she must deal with complaints. However, the impact on the care of children is minimal.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to improve her documentation. The necessary written parental consents are now in place. This enables the childminder to respect the wishes of parents and helps protect the 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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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 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): • improve the record of attendance to show times when children and the assistant are present • develop knowledge of the changes to the National Standards, with particular regard to the regulation relating to complaints.

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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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