Sacred Heart Catholic High School

Inspection report for early years provision

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137708 Unique Reference Number 18 September 2007 Inspection date Caren Carpenter 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 1997. The childminder lives with her two children in a two bed room house which is located within the London borough of Brent. The childminder is registered for a maximum of five children under 8 years at any one time and is currently minding four children under five years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The areas used for childminding are two rooms, one on the ground floor and the second on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder takes children to the local toddler groups and the local library on a regular basis. The childminder hold an early years qualification. The childminder has a dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s health is promoted as the childminder sustains good levels of hygiene throughout her home. They are developing self-care skills, as they are encouraged to wash their hands after visiting the toilet and before eating. Children are provided with their own individual hand

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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 towels to dry their hands. They are learning about the importance of personal hygiene such as, brushing their teeth and having daily baths to keep themselves clean.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from unnecessary illness and they are well cared for in emergency situations. The childminder has thorough procedures in place for accidents. They are protected from unnecessary illness as they do not attend if they are infectious or unwell. A written sickness policy, which the childminder share with parents, ensures children are well cared. As a result, children are protected from illness and infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy nutritious meals and healthy snacks which meet their individual dietary requirements. They enjoy plenty of fresh air and exercise as they have daily opportunities to participate in outdoor play. Regular outings to parks and toddler groups where they can play on large outdoor equipment, provide children with greater opportunities to promote their overall physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are secure and settled in their surroundings. They are looked after in a warm and welcoming environment. Children are able to explore and move around freely and safely because, the childminder has minimised all potential risks and hazards both indoors and outside. Children make choices in safe and secure surroundings. They are confident the childminder will keep them safe as she is with them constantly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Suitable furniture, a good range of equipment and resources create a safe and stimulating environment. Toys and resources are set out attractively; they are well organised and stored at low levels. This encourages children's interest, enticing them to play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is protected through the childminder’s secure understanding of her role and responsibility in child protection. She has a good knowledge of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and the correct procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and thrive in this environment. They are enthusiastic about the activities provided and are well supported and encouraged to try new experiences. Children make good progress in all areas of their development. They are provided with a wide range of stimulating toys and well planned activities which fully support and promote their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have lots of fun as they make choices about what they want to play with and participate in a range of activities such as, looking at a wide selection of books, drawing, colouring, completing jig saw puzzles and role play. They enjoy dressing their dolls and take them for a walk in their push chairs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy daily trips to the local park, museum, library, the local mosque and toddlers group. This provides many good learning experiences to them. They are making good progress in all areas of their development as the childminder has a very good understanding of how children learn and develop through play and having fun.

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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 develop positive relationships with each other and involve each other in their play, as they begin to share and take turns. Children benefit from the wonderful interaction with the childminder who keeps their interest alive and then withdraws to allow them to explore for themselves. This increases their confidence and independent skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children gain a positive self-image and they learn about the world they live in because, the childminder provides suitable toys and resources. The childminder understands the importance of helping them to develop a strong identity and feel good about themselves, their family and others. As a result, children gain self-assurance and confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved as the childminder provides consistent boundaries and offers lots of praise and encouragement. They enjoy close relationships with the childminder and they learn to share, take turns and be caring and considerate to one another. The childminder has developed a clear behaviour management policy which, is discussed and agreed with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children enjoy consistency of care and routine. Parents are kept well informed about their children's daily routine and about their developmental progress. They are given scrap books of their children's creative work and photographic evidence of their time spent at the childminder when,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

they leave her care. This clearly demonstrates very good partnership with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare, care and development needs are met well, as the childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of caring for young children. The organisation of space and resources enables children to move around freely as they choose toys, play, rest and eat comfortably. They are happy, confident and feel at home, as they receive lots of individual attention to promote their well-being.

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Organisation

The childminder is well organised. Children benefit from a variety of outings to the park and pre-school groups where they are able to socialise with other children and widen their play experiences.

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Organisation

Children's overall care, learning and welfare are enhanced by the information shared between parents and the childminder. Written policies and procedures are put into practice to ensure children are well cared for. However, some lack the necessary details. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to ensure that a smoke alarms are provided at every level of the house to improve fire safety precautions and to ensure that the daily attendance records of the children looked after on the premises include the hours of attendance. Children safety is promoted, because the childminder has installed two smoke alarms. They are checked regular to ensure that they are in good working order. A daily attendance register is

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Improvements 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 maintained by the childminder and includes the arrival and departures times of the children. This means that children's care and welfare is promoted.

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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 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 accident and incident books clearly identify who has countersigned record of entries.

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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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