St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Birkenhead

Inspection report for early years provision

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105092 Unique Reference Number 13 September 2007 Inspection date Margaret Coyne 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 1987. She lives with her husband, in Luton, Bedfordshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available 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 under eight years at any one time and is currently caring for four children under five years on a part-time basis and two children over five years before and after school. She also provides care for one child over eight years, after school only. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends a local toddler group and childminding support group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are warmly welcomed into a friendly home environment where they can play, rest and sleep according to their individual needs. They develop their understanding about simple hygiene practices and personal care through their daily routine and with the effective role

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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 modelling from the childminder. For example, washing hands after playing outside, after using the toilet, after having nappy changes and before eating. The childminder instils this in the children from an early age to help them develop good routines of their own. Children are protected from infection because the childminder ensures the home, toys and equipment are clean and measures are in place, such as a 'sick child' policy alongside other health and safety procedures.

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Helping children to be healthy

All necessary consent has been obtained from parents to ensure the children's health is maintained. The childminder is trained in first aid to ensure that children receive prompt and appropriate treatment for any accidents and is confident in the care she provides. She holds a current first aid certificate. The childminder has excellent recordings in the accident book and clear procedures for administering medication which are shared with parents. She takes positive action to ensure that children's health and welfare is safeguarded. However, children's overall well-being is affected as some of the contents of the first aid box are out of date. Younger children's personal care is fully supervised. The childminder checks nappies frequently and changes these as required following good hygiene practice with her routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s individual dietary needs are met by the childminder taking into account parents' wishes. They enjoy healthy meals and snacks which parents and the childminder supply. For example, fresh fruit and a drink for snack time. Parents supply children's packed lunches which are stored correctly to ensure food remains fresh. The childminder has produced a sample menu which shows the types of healthy, varied and nutritious meals on offer if parents request this service. Children are offered a choice of drinks on a regular basis to ensure they remain hydrated. The childminder has a flexible approach to providing meals for children and through discussion she demonstrates a good understanding of healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a stimulating range of equipment to promote a healthy lifestyle and their physical development. They practise and develop skills through well planned activities both indoors and outdoors. The garden is planned to incorporate different activities to encourage children to use their bodies in different ways. For example, ride on cars, climbing and balancing on the mini climbing frame, using their bodies as they slide and play with balls, hoops and skipping ropes. Children have access to a range of outings which further develop and promote physical skills. They go for walks each day, visit adventure playgrounds and toddler groups and enjoy trips to the park to use the larger static equipment. Children's hand and eye coordination and dexterity is developed through arts and crafts, play dough, pattern making with 'Hamer Beads' and handling small figures during their imaginative play. Younger children have ample

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Helping children to be healthy

opportunity to develop their mobility as they reach for brightly coloured musical toys and are starting to crawl and move around their environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment which allows them to be relaxed and feel very much at home. This is evident with the children attending today who are content and show a strong sense of belonging. There is space to play, explore and move independently. The childminder supervises the children and is on hand to interact and support their play. Children are extremely safe in and out of the home because of the stringent measures the childminder employs to protect them. For example, stairgates, safety glass, socket covers and fire safety equipment. These prevent accidents and minimise potential risks. Children have opportunity to practise evacuation procedures to develop their understanding of how to leave the home in the event of an emergency. Children are well supervised when out of the home. They enjoy walks to

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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 school and the park. They follow safety rules, such as staying together, holding hands and the buggy and all children learn road safety rules to help keep themselves safe when out of the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are welcomed into a stimulating, child orientated environment with an abundance of high quality toys and equipment. This is appropriate to their age and stage of development. They have excellent access to the play equipment that is clean and well-maintained giving them opportunities for free choice. The layout of the play areas ensures children can act independently. The childminder tries to encourage children to help tidy away so they can play safely and gain a respect for the equipment. Play materials are challenging, exciting and stimulating and give children opportunities to extend their learning through child-initiated play. For example, resources are available which cover all elements of children's play and learning, such as imaginative play, constructive play, creative activities, learning games and resources.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection issues and the signs and symptoms to look for. She is fully aware of documenting and reporting any concerns and keeps all records up to date to provide excellent evidence of her practice in order to ensure children remain protected. Most supporting documents have been obtained to refer to in the event of a concern. However, the childminder has not yet obtained the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures to ensure children remain fully protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well-settled, content and happy at the childminder's home. They are secure and confident in themselves and with the other children attending. When different ages of children attend they play well together, share activities and show care and kindness to younger children. For example, when playing the older child passes toys which are out of reach and gives hugs to the younger child. Children's independence skills are developing as they take part in child-initiated activities using their own imaginations. For example, building up the hospital, filling it with small figures representing doctors, nurses and patients. Younger children's concentration is developing as they find toys that hold their interest, such as musical toys and shape sorters.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a range of planned and spontaneous activities. The childminder has a clear understanding of how children learn and develop. She provides activities in line with their interests and abilities, keeping some activities back for the summer holidays when older children can also benefit. Children participate in activities which help them to gain a greater understanding of their own and others cultures. They visit the local museum and enjoy the exhibitions. This helps the children to acquire new knowledge and skills. Children enjoy joining in with creative activities, doing art work, modelling with playdough and making patterns with 'Hamer Beads'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy various toddler groups in the area where they experience different types of play and learning. They can use different equipment and acquire new skills. This has the added effect on the opportunities children have to be social with others and gain confidence to play with other children and adults. The childminder is an active member of the local childminders group and they plan many 'get-togethers' for the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children participate in activities that help their mathematical thinking. They enjoy singing, counting songs and rhymes and look at shapes and numbers as they fit them into the sorting

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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 box. The childminder helps children develop their language skills because she engages them in conversation, repeats words back to younger children and joins in their babble and baby talk. This encourages children to use language to join in conversations and to make their needs and wants known. The childminder has attended training for the 'Birth to three matters' framework to enhance her skills when providing stimulating activities for the younger children. She has developed an interesting treasure basket for children to explore and investigate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a positive attitude and provides children with a well-balanced view of the world around them and an awareness of diversity through activities, discussion, books and other resources. For example, dressing-up, small family figures showing disability, age, gender and culture. This helps them to understand difference and acknowledge diversity. Children benefit as the childminder has an inclusive policy, making her activities and resources accessible to all children. Children have access to an environment where they can all flourish through interactive experinces. They are able to develop at their own pace and this is reflected in the admirable way children are cared for. A complete profile is gained from parents about their child including their routines and medical history. This enables the childminder to tailor her care to meet the needs of each child and to help them settle in to her care. The childminder

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Helping children make a positive contribution

has experience working with children with special needs and is confident she can extend her care if required.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are happy and secure and play extremely well together. The childminder makes consistent efforts to make children feel welcome and spends good quality time building trusting relationships. Children respond to the boundaries in place because they receive good guidance and positive interaction with the childminder. For example, the consistent boundaries in place help children know what is expected of them. Children support each other and older children have a secure understanding of the rules of the group. Children's interaction is a pleasure to see as they show care and kindness to other children. Children enjoy frequent praise and encouragement to help them develop self-esteem and to gain an understanding of right from wrong. This gives children a good benchmark to work from when learning to manage and control their own behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Secure relationships with parents ensure that the individual needs of the children are met effectively as they share responsibility together. This impacts on the children's feelings of trust and security. Parents are involved in the time their child spends in the setting by receiving excellent verbal feedback. For example, the childminder shares the children's day including positive and negative aspects. She is happy to keep a daily journal for parents if they request it and records younger children's meals, drinks and nappy changes. Parents are provided with excellent and detailed written information about the organisation of the setting. For example, comprehensive information files include contracts, consent forms, certificates and well-written policies and procedures. Parents have opportunity to view the childminder complaints policy and understand the procedures in place including her system to record any compliant. This

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Helping children make a positive contribution

further enhances the open and honest relationship they have developed. Some parents have provided glowing references to the childminders flexibility, professionalism and caring nature. They feel she has had a positive impact and effect on the lives of their children who have remained in her care for many years.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are relaxed, feel secure and comfortable in this well-organised 'home from home' environment. The space, resources and daily routine are organised extremely well to benefit children as they play and take part in some activities out of the home. Children are confident when choosing their own play and seek adult support when needed. Documentation is very well-maintained and organised. This is used effectively to promote the care, welfare and learning of each child. Records are shared with parents and are reviewed and updated as required. Verbal information is exchanged on a daily basis about their child's progress and achievements. This contributes to a trusting relationship which impacts positively on the children's feelings of security and well-being. The children's daily routine is purposefully organised to meet their individual needs, such as sleep patterns, school runs, meals, trips out to toddler groups and

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Organisation

other outdoor play and time for free play. The children benefit from individual time spent with the childminder as she builds trusting and caring relationships with each child.

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Organisation

Children benefit greatly from the childminder's awareness of the importance of record keeping. She maintains ratios in order to be able to fully support each child and meet their individual needs. The childminder continues to add to her own personal development through training and has recently completed a course to raise her awareness and understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. This continues to support younger children's progress and achievements. An inclusive environment for all children is created. Overall children's need are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider agreed to provide more detail on her accident and medication records, to ensure safety with low-level glass and her kettle.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The accident record forms now include a body diagram to identify the injury site and all medication records include exact details of the medication administered. The unit with low-level glass panels has been removed and the kettle has been replaced for one with a short lead to make it inaccessible to 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 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 contents of the first aid box are replenished and suitable to use for children • ensure information is in place with regard to the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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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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