St Vincent's Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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111376 Unique Reference Number 28 September 2007 Inspection date Nikki Whinton 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged 14 and 10 years in Andover, Hampshire. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding and 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 five minded children under the age of eight years at any one time and is currently minding two children on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She attends the Andover childminding support group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have opportunities for fresh air and exercise whilst playing in the childminder's fully enclosed garden, when visiting local parks or during trips to play parks at Hatherden or Nether Wallop. In addition, they take part in regular outings, such as to Archie's World or Jungle Jungle, where they can use additional apparatus to help develop their large muscle skills.

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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 Children increase their awareness of healthy options through the range of snack time fruit they are offered whilst in the provision. They are encouraged to try new foods and thus widen their appreciation of food tastes. Parents provide children's lunchtime meals that are stored appropriately in the refrigerator. Allergies or any dietary issues are discussed with parents prior to a child commencing in the setting. These discussions are recorded and any needs accommodated. However, children are not regularly offered drinks and therefore may not be consuming fluids in sufficient quantities to meet their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

There is a range of measures to promote children's good health. The childminder has a current first aid qualification, a first aid kit is available, written parental permission is in place to seek emergency treatment and children use separate towels when hand drying to reduce the risk of cross contamination. Correct administrative procedures are in place if accidents occur or children require medication. However, children are not encouraged to wash their hands prior to eating and therefore may be at risk from infection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises are clean, well maintained and of an appropriate temperature. Older children are able to visit the first floor toilet independently and thus develop their self-care skills. There is a designated bedroom available to enable children to have uninterrupted sleep. There is a range of measures to promote children's safety and help avoid accidents. For example, there is a written emergency plan, a gate prevents children accessing the kitchen unsupervised, smoke detectors are kept in working order and socket covers are fitted to exposed electric points. The childminder has devised and practised emergency evacuation procedures with the children, although drills are not recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a good variety of resources that are rotated to ensure they continue to be of interest to them. They benefit from the childminder's awareness of safety issues concerning the purchase and continued maintenance of resources. As a result, children are able to help themselves to age appropriate toys that are safe and suitable.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is supported by a childminder that has a good understanding of child protection issues, confidentiality of information and the correct procedure to follow if concerned about the well-being of a child. The childminder's welcome pack includes written information about her child protection policy, which is an effective way of making parents aware of her responsibilities, prior to a child commencing in the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children appear confident, independent and with a genuine sense of belonging within the provision. They are very settled and make independent choices concerning the resources they wish to explore. For example, one child decides to build with construction materials whilst another chooses to play with small world figures. Children's enjoyment is enhanced by the childminder's active involvement in their play. She encourages children to choose storybooks from a box that they all then share together and takes part in their role-play tea making activity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have a very positive rapport with the friendly childminder. They enjoy going to her spontaneously for cuddles or to sit on her knee whilst playing. Children take part in a regular programme of events outside the home, such as childminder support group activities. Such

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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 opportunities enable children to widen their circle of friends, use an increased range of resources and to gain a greater awareness of their local environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and treated as individuals. They benefit from the childminder knowing them well, appreciating their differing needs and understanding their varying home circumstances. Children have access to some resources reflecting diversity, but extremely limited opportunities to play with toys showing positive images of disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well as appropriate for their age and stage of development. Their behaviour is supported by a childminder who acts as a good role model and uses positive strategies such as praise and encouragement effectively. Children gain an appreciation of right and wrong whilst in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are provided with a written prospectus prior to a child commencing in the setting, which details the organisation of the provision, its policies and procedures. There are informal opportunities on a daily basis to discuss children's achievements or any care issues. Separate appointments are arranged if necessary to discuss any confidential issues. However, parents are not made aware of the procedure to follow should they wish to make a complaint.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's care and development is supported by a childminder that has completed required initial training and is capable in her role of looking after young children. All legally required documentation is securely stored and easily accessible. For example, children's emergency contact information is readily available to support their care. However, the daily register of children's attendance is not always kept up to date and does not consistently reflect children's actual arrival and departure times.

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Organisation

Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

As a result of the last inspection the childminder was given two recommendations in order to help develop the quality of the provision. These referred to developing the range of resources, particularly those reflecting positive images of diversity and making sure Social Services contact information is readily accessible.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has increased her range of resources, including resources reflecting diversity. Social Services contact information is available to the childminder in an emergency. These improvements have had a positive impact on the quality of care offered to the children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

However, children have very limited access to resources showing positive images of disability.

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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

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 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): • develop children's awareness of good hygiene practices prior to eating and ensure children have regular access to fluids • increase the range of resources accessible to children reflecting positive images of disability • make sure parents are made aware of the procedure to follow should they wish to make a complaint • make sure the register of attendance is kept up to date and always shows children's actual arrival and departure times.

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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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