St Francis de Sales RC Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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102143 Unique Reference Number 19 December 2007 Inspection date Kay Williams 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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 1993. She lives with her teenage son. They live in Highgate which is located within the London borough of Camden. The whole the childminder’s home is used for childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local toddler groups and takes children to the library and the park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children's health is compromised as the childminder does not hold a current first aid qualification. Their well being is effectively promoted in other areas. The childminder has sound knowledge of healthy eating and children are offered a healthy, nutritionally balanced diet. Meal times

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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 are sociable occasions where the children and the childminder sit and eat together. They are fed according to their dietary needs and enjoy a snack of fresh fruit. They are able to access a drink at anytime during the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

They are protected from the risk of cross infection as they are taught the importance of good personal hygiene as they wash their hands after using the toilet and when they come home from school. They are further protected from infection as they have their own personal flannels and bedding.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered good opportunities to enjoy fresh air and exercise throughout the year. They take daily trips to the park where they engage in robust physical play such as climbing, running and using a swing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well cared for in a hygienically clean environment. Their security is strengthened as the childminder has developed positive relationships with them and they clearly feel comfortable in her care. They enjoy the benefits of the child centred environment that the childminder has arranged. They have easy access to several toy chests where they can help themselves to a range of age appropriate well maintained toys and resources. The childminder monitors the equipment to ensure that it remains safe for all children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Overall, the childminder has good regard for safety and has taken appropriate steps to minimise hazards to children. Socket covers, safety gates and fire blankets are some of the equipment used to make her home safe for the children. The childminder effectively risk assesses other less frequently used rooms in the home to ensure that they are safe for the children to use before they are permitted to enter. However, there are some cleaning materials in the bathroom which could be accessed by the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are adequately protected as the childminder continues to develop her knowledge of current child protection procedures. She is aware of her duty to protect the children in her care and she is able to reference local authority procedures should she need to seek advice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children clearly enjoy their time spent with the childminder. They have developed a strong bond with the childminder who is attentive of the children's needs and makes a good play partner for them to have fun with. Children are relaxed in her company, laughing and joking as the childminder constructs the wooden train set for the them just as fast as they delight in taking it apart again. Daily routines flow smoothly and always include a trip to the park to feed the ducks or to use the climbing apparatus and the swings. Children are able to socialise with others as they regularly attend 'drop in' groups where they can meet and play with other children. At these sessions they also enjoy opportunities to engage in a range of creative art activities, dressing up, making dough and playing in the sand pit.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy looking at books and the childminder supports their learning by reading to them. They listen attentively as they snuggle on the sofa together to listen to the story about 'Dave and the tooth fairy'. Children are learning to develop their language as the childminder spends time talking and singing with them. They are learning to become familiar with songs such as

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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 'walkie round the garden', as they anticipate the actions that accompany the rhyme. Children are developing a good sense of independence as they help themselves to resources. They learn to mimic their world as they care for 'dollies' and take them for a walk in the buggy. They enjoy practising newly acquired skills as they take off their hat and put it back on again, beaming with pride regarding their achievement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are confident individuals. The gradual settling procedure which the childminder implements works well. Consequently the childminder and the children have formed a strong relationship. Although limited information is recorded the childminder knows the children well, confidently describing care routines which centre around the children's individual needs. All children are treated with equal concern and some of the resources, especially the books reflect positive images of social and cultural diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good. The childminder is calm and gently spoken with the children and has a good understanding of effective ways of managing children's behaviour. Their self esteem is effectively promoted as their efforts and achievements are praised and recognised. Children beam with pride as they are told how clever they are for being able to put on some of their own clothes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is satisfactory. The childminder works with parents to ensure that children receive continuity of care and lines of communication are effective, for example when reviewing babies' feeding routines. Relevant written consent has been given for children to attend outings and receive emergency medical treatment. However, parents are offered limited written information about the service provided and are not made aware of the complaints procedure.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The children are cared for in an environment which is generally well organised. However, the childminder has not kept up to date with all of the requirements of her role and does not hold sound knowledge of the National Standards. Consequently she has not renewed her first aid qualification.

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Organisation

Documentation and record keeping covers the basic requirements. Children's arrival and departure is recorded and the certificate of registration is displayed. However there is no system for recording complaints.

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Organisation

The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to obtain a first aid box and to develop an awareness of the process for reporting child protection concerns. Children now benefit from improvements as the childminder has a first aid box, although the contents need to be assessed to ensure that they are appropriate. The childminder now has a reasonable understanding of the process for reporting child protection concerns.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • obtain a first aid qualification • improve knowledge and understanding of the National Standards and guidance for childminding. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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