Our Lady & St Michael's School

Inspection report for early years provision

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401500 Unique Reference Number 18 October 2007 Inspection date Tina Anne Mason 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 was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged three and six years in Grays in Essex. The whole of the downstairs of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently caring for two children after school. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and well-maintained environment. The childminder has good routines in place that protect children's health. For example, surfaces are thoroughly cleaned before snacks are prepared and served. Children learn well about managing their own personal hygiene. They know they must wash their hands after using the toilet and before snacks. The childminder has effective procedures in place in the event that children become unwell, and

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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 these are shared with parents. Systems to record accidents and any medicines given are clear and well maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy the health benefits of plenty of fresh air and physical exercise. They gain immense pleasure from using the childminder's garden which has a range of exciting play equipment, developing confidence and co-ordination as they play on bikes with the sand and take part in energetic games.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy the healthy snacks provided by the childminder. These take good account of their individual needs, for instance recognising that children are likely to be hungry after school and providing robust snacks such as toast and breadsticks as well as a selection of fruit. The Drinks are available at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a safe and welcoming environment, where space and resources are well organised in order to support children's care and play. Children move freely around the childminder's home because areas that may be potentially hazardous, such as the kitchen and the stairs, are made inaccessible. A very good selection of toys and games are extremely well organised in storage boxes and on shelving in order that they are accessible to children and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Regular checks are made of toys in order that they continue to be safe for children's use. The childminder conducts thorough risk assessments of all areas of her home and garden and has a good system of daily checks that ensures safety for children is maintained. An emergency evacuation procedure is in place. However, this is not practised by the children and this potentially puts children at risk of harm. Good routines keep children safe on outings and ensure children learn basic road safety when out for walks. Children's safety is supported by the childminder's good awareness of child protection issues. She has a clear understanding of her responsibility to safeguard children and knows the correct procedures to follow should she have concerns regarding possible abuse or neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children thoroughly enjoy themselves as they take part in a variety of activities that promote their individual development. The childminder plans well to ensure that activities are interesting and stimulating, taking good account of the age and developmental stage of individual children. For example, children are happily engaged in imaginative play, as they take their dolls to the shops and then purchase different foods in the supermarket, with one child being the mum and the other being the cashier. The childminder interacts extremely well with children, she asks them lots of questions about what they are doing and encourages them to share their thoughts and ideas. For example, one of the minded children is very eager to show his creation made with a construction kit. The childminder gives lots of positive praise and shows lots of interest asking lots of questions about the different model characters being made by the child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a good balance of planned activities and self-initiated play. Children make good use of resources as they organise their own play. For example, setting up a farmyard and farmhouse, carefully considering how to furnish and arrange it and discussing which animals they wish to use, selecting those they want. As the children concentrate on what they are doing,

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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 childminder supports them well and unobtrusively, assisting where needed and following the children's lead, encouraging their imaginative play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are settled and develop a good sense of belonging as the childminder is aware of their needs. They become aware of their culture and the wider world activities with the good range of toys and resources that reflect positive images of race, culture, gender and disability. All children are respected as individuals and activities are not gender specific.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is very calm in her approach and uses good strategies to manage the children's behaviour. She constantly talks to children about being kind and uses books and stories to reinforce the children's understanding of sharing and caring. Children are polite and well behaved in a positive environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the close relationship the childminder has with parents. Written documentation pertaining to the childminder's provision, including her qualification certificates, are clearly displayed and parents freely access all written policies and procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder holds an early years qualification and uses her skills to help children settle and progress in their development. She regularly updates her first aid. She is enthusiastic and clearly enjoys her work.

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Organisation

Space and resources are organised well to support care and play opportunities. Registers are well maintained and clearly show when children are present. All regulatory documentation is in place and supported by comprehensive written policies, procedures and recording systems that underpin and support a good quality provision of care for children. Documentation is well organised, stored appropriately, with due regard for confidentiality and readily available for inspection. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to developing her skills. For example, she has recently completed training in behaviour management and autism. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was recommended to; ensure that emergency consent forms are obtained from all new parents. All parents now provide written emergency consent. This ensures the children's well-being is safeguarded.

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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 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 that there is a devised and practised emergency escape plan.

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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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