Saint Benedict Catholic School and Performing Arts College

Inspection report for early years provision

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112973 Unique Reference Number 03 August 2007 Inspection date Lynn Reeves 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 1992. She lives with her husband and their two adult children and one school aged child in a residential area of Hedge End, Southampton in Hampshire. The childminder is registered to care for six children aged under eight years and is currently minding one child on a full time basis. The property is within close proximity to schools, shops and parks. Children have access to all areas on the ground floor, which include rest and toilet facilities. There is a fully secure garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is a member of National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children access a clean home where the childminder ensures the bathroom, kitchen and toys are kept clean to prevent any spread of germs. The childminder has good procedures in place to prevent cross infection, for example, she wears disposable gloves when changing babies' nappies and provides each child with a separate hand towel. Younger children are developing their self-care skills as they wash their hands before eating and after playing in the garden.

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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 They enjoy using the soapy hand mittens and delight in watching the bubbles foaming. The childminder keeps a well-stocked first aid box and records all accidents, however, written parental permission is not in place to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children experience a range of outdoor activities that contribute to their good health; they play in the garden regularly pushing prams, riding the sit-on-toys and rockers and playing with skipping ropes and balls. Children develop their large muscle control and benefit from fresh air when visiting the park, where they play on the swings, slides and climbing frames.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a range of snacks and fruit in addition to the meals sent from home. Dietary needs are recorded on children's records and drinks are always made available to ensure the children are kept hydrated. The childminder maintains a flexible approach to providing meals and promotes healthy eating. She is happy to prepare and cook any meal that parents request and introduces new tastes to the children during cooking activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a comfortable environment where toys and play provisions are easily accessible and displayed at low level to encourage children to be independent. The childminder ensures that play provisions are laid out in the lounge before younger children arrive to ensure they feel welcomed. Older children can make their own choices from the toys stored in the playroom, developing their independence. Children are provided with a good range of resources that are age appropriate. The toys are colourful, stimulating and of a good safety standard. The childminder rotates the toys to provide children with new experiences and challenges.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access secure premises where doors and gates are kept locked and all hazards have been removed. Suitable smoke detectors and a fire blanket are in place, and although the childminder talks to the children about fire safety, evacuations have not been practised to ensure they can exit safely in an emergency. Children learn how to stay safe indoors as they are reminded not to run around and to sit on the chair properly in case they fall. The childminder keeps children under close supervision and talks to the children about road safety when walking.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound understanding of the child protection procedures and to whom she should report her concerns. She is able to demonstrate that she could recognise the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and would record her concerns. She ensures that parents are made aware of her responsibilities, keeping children safe from further harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled in their environment, and are building strong bonds with the childminder. The childminder gets to know the children and ensures they are provided with activities that they enjoy, for example, looking at books and playing with the farm animals. Young children are becoming competent learners as they try to name the animals and mimic the sounds they make. The childminder keeps children under close supervision and ensures that resources are suitable for their play; she takes an interest in what they are saying and the children benefit from the warm relationship they have with the childminder. Children enjoy singing and acting out the actions to familiar nursery rhymes, for example, "Five little ducks" and "Two little dickie birds".

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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 enjoys the children's company and takes an active part in their play; she sits on the floor with the children encouraging them to name the puzzle pieces. Children delight as one manages to fit the pieces into the correct holes. They receive praise and encouragement for their efforts, promoting their self-esteem. Children's learning is consolidated with crib cards that the childminder uses to teach them about, numbers, colours and letters. They develop their social interaction when they regularly visit with other childminders and their children and when visiting the library. Children have opportunities to be creative when they collect collage materials from the beach and the woods. They use paints and various media to make jewellery boxes, paperweights with the stones and make papier-mâché figures. The childminder

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

demonstrates good childcare knowledge and adapts activities to meet the needs of children who attend.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated as individuals and made to feel valued and respected; they receive lots of praise and encouragement, which promotes their self-esteem and belonging. Children gain knowledge of the wider world through discussion about discrimination, and playing with a range of toys that reflect diversity, for example, dressing up clothes, books, puzzles and figures. Children like to watch the squirrels, frogs and hedgehogs in the garden and visit places of interest on the train and bus, developing their understanding of the environment and local community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn the boundaries of behaviour through discussion and praise and receive a reward at the end of the week for positive behaviour. The childminder has realistic expectations of children and maintains a positive approach for the care of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Strategies are in place to deal with any unwanted behaviour, for example, distraction, removal of toys or time out. Any issues are then discussed with parents to ensure a consistent approach.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shares information with parents at collection time and keeps them informed about what their child has been doing through verbal conversation and through photographic evidence. Information is made available to parents regarding the childminder's business and certificates are displayed. Parents value the childminder and provide positive feedback in relation to how she cares for their children. This is evident through references from current parents and those of children she has previously cared for.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children benefit because the childminder has organised her home well, which ensures children can move freely and in safety around the allotted areas. She provides children with an exciting range of activities and experiences, and recognises the importance of play in a child's development. Children are well supported and the ratios are adhered to. She offers the children a home from home environment where they can make their own choices of play. Most required documentation is in place and stored securely to maintain confidentiality and the childminder has a suitable first aid certificate in place. As a result, the childminder meets the needs of the range of 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 provider was asked to develop a greater understanding of child protection procedures and ensure advance written permission is given for medication. Since the last inspection, the childminder has updated her knowledge on child protection issues and procedures and has obtained written parental permission for administering medication. These procedures ensure the safety and well-being of 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. 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): • obtain written parental consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment • devise and practise a procedure to keep children safe in the event of a fire

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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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