St John Boste Catholic Primary School, Washington

Inspection report for early years provision

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147147 Unique Reference Number 19 July 2007 Inspection date Malini Parmar 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 was registered in 2000. She lives with her husband and two sons in a three bed roomed ground floor flat on a private estate close to local amenities. They live in Golders Green in the London Borough of Barnet.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of three children under eight years. There are currently two children on roll whom attend on a part time basis. Children use the playroom and large hall for their play and a bedroom is available for rest.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There is a communal garden to the rear of the flat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is adequately promoted by the appropriate procedures followed by the childminder. Children benefit from the positive steps taken to prevent the spread of infection. They have their own bedding, individual hand towels are used, and clear nappy changing

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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 procedures are followed. The childminder has a systematic approach for the cleaning of toys and resources. As a result, children generally play with clean toys. However, children do not benefit from consistent chances to engage in clear hygiene routines. For example, they do not always wash their hands before they eat their snack.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are assured of receiving appropriate support in the event of an accident because the childminder has a current first aid certificate. The childminder seeks written consent from parents before she administers any medication and keeps a record of medication administered. She is currently reviewing these procedures to ensure the administration of medication is clearly countersigned by parents and records contain full information.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children remain hydrated throughout their time with the childminder as she diligently ensures they always have enough water in their beaker cups. Consequently, older children take a drink whenever they wish and she reminds younger children to do the same. Meals conform to parental wishes and requests as they are supplied by them. The childminder ensures all perishable items are stored appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular access to fresh air and exercise. The childminder takes them out to local amenities, such as parks and play resources and they also have access to communal gardens. During poor weather, the childminder enables children to expend their energy and supports their physical development, by encouraging indoor ball games and dancing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled in a warm environment. The move comfortably from area to area freely accessing toys from the plentiful range offered, which are made easily accessible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play safely indoors because many potential risks are reduced. The childminder ensures she checks the areas used by the children every day to ensure this. She stays with the children and supervises them when they go to the toilet. She alerts their attention to possible dangers, such as rocking on their chairs. This supports their understanding of how to keep themselves safe. They cannot access the kitchen because there is a stair gate in place, and loose wires are not accessible. Although, many risks have been identified and reduced, children are at increased risks caused by exposed foam on the nappy changing mat and children's sleeping mat. The childminder makes weekly checks to the smoke alarm to ensure it is in good working order. She is aware of how she would evacuate children safely in an emergency. However, has not yet practiced this with the children to ensure their knowledge of safe evacuation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's satisfactory knowledge of child protection. She has a sound awareness of possible indicators of abuse and understands her duty in this area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children share positive relationships with the childminder. They are able to play freely and often initiate their own play. They benefit from clear routines which meet their individual needs and enjoy the activities on offer. For example, they learn to mimic their observations of the world as they engage in imaginative play with the "doctors set". The childminder talks to

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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 children and explains the changes in routine to the them to ensure they are always comfortable with it.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children enjoy using the treasure basket which is made up of natural resources, they delight as they explore the soft nature of the fur and silk. They particularly enjoy and receive useful support from the childminder to play with the "big teddy bear". Older children strengthen their concentration as they successfully complete large floor puzzles and enjoy talking about the picture. Children engage in quiet and noisy activities and select a book to read with the childminder as their rest time approaches. Children clearly enjoy exploring books and reading stories. They develop sound communication skills as they retell the tale, and answer the childminder's questions about the events in the story. Children learn important self help skills as the childminder encourages them to help tidy up and put on their own shoes, in preparation to go home. The children clearly enjoy all on offer, however, the childminder does not plan

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

particular activities for each day, nor does she currently use the Birth to three matters framework to support this.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children receive sound levels of individual care from the childminder who knows their needs and circumstances. They confidently approach her for comfort and support in the secure knowledge that their needs will be met. They learn about the local world through regular trips into the community, they access local parks and play resources. Children develop a strong personal identity because their time with the childminder is steeped in the affirmation of their own culture. Although, the childminder has developed a range of books depicting positive images of other cultures. There are few opportunities to learn about the wider world in order to ensure a balanced view.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children receive sound levels of praise and encouragement to promote their self esteem and boost their confidence. They are learning to play well together and the childminder provides sensitive support to secure their knowledge of how to be kind and respectful of each other's needs. She encourages positive behaviour and offers some explanations to help them learn to manage their own behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's sense of belonging and security are promoted by the childminder's close links with the parents. She gathers much necessary information and details upon entry. Parents are asked to complete the necessary forms and share their knowledge of their child's needs. Thereafter, she exchanges pertinent information on a daily basis. Parents share more detailed accounts of how their children are developing and spend their time with her, on a weekly basis. Although, parents have access to the regulator's details should they wish to raise a concern, the information supplied to the parents regarding this is now out of date and the childminder is developing her knowledge of her duty of this area.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

Children are happy and settled in an suitably organised environment. The management of care is developing to take account of the need to keep children safe and healthy. There is sufficient space for the number of children the childminder is registered to care for. Majority of the

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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 required records for the safe and efficient management of the setting are in place and stored confidentially. The childminder is developing her knowledge of the changes in regulation and her duty with regards to the complaints procedure. Some aspects of record keeping with regard to promoting children's health and safety are being reviewed by the childminder. Children's overall care, learning and welfare is enhanced by the information shared between parents and the childminder. The childminder enjoys training and has recently updated her first aid. However, she does not always make full use of the training available to ensure current knowledge of relevant guidance such as that of the Birth to three matters framework.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was set four recommendations. She agreed to continue to develop resources that reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability, and those that are made from natural materials. She agreed to improve documentation by ensuring the daily attendance record is completed accurately as well as record in children's details, any medical needs.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made some progress in addressing these four issues. Children now have greater access to resources which represent positive images of the wider world, particularly through books and dolls. The childminder is aware of continuing to build on these resources to ensure disability is equally represented within the environment. Children clearly enjoy using the range of natural resources within the treasure basket which is now always available to them. Although, aspects of documentation and record keeping have improved, the childminder overlooked the necessity to record children's attendance on the day of the inspection. Children's medical needs are recorded on children's record forms. However, the childminder is currently developing her documentation and record keeping and this continues to be an area of improvement.

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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 also 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): • continue to promote children's health through the routine ensure they wash their hands at appropriate times such as before eating

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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 • take positive steps to promote safety within the home and reduce all potential hazards • continue to develop the variety of resources on offer that promote equality of opportunity and extend the variety of activities that raise children's awareness of the wider world • ensure all required documentation to promote the welfare of children is in place and ensure all records such as the complaints procedure contain the necessary detail.

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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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