St Francis Church of England Aided Primary School and Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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103546 Unique Reference Number 29 February 2008 Inspection date Linda Patricia Coccia 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. She lives with her partner and one child aged 11 years in Rainham, Kent. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one child aged three years. The childminder walks or drives to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She attends some local parent/toddler groups. The family has a pet cat and a guinea pig. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean home with a welcoming environment, where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Their clear understanding of why they must wash their hands before eating or handling food and after using the toilet reduces the risk of

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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 cross contamination. Children are also encouraged to wash their hands after handling pets and are provided with their own individual towels. Children are protected from cross contamination.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eat food which is provided by their parents. They arrive with their packed lunch box and bottle of drink. The childminder has good procedures in place to ensure food is kept fresh and pre-cooked meals are re-heated appropriately. The childminder has agreed this arrangement as parents like to know what their children have eaten. Photographs of the children show that they get readily involved in food activities, such as making pancakes for Pancake Day. They happily follow laminated recipe cards to make delicious snacks such as banana splits and individualised club sandwiches. Children enjoy food activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are involved in a good range of physical play activities. Indoors, there is enough free floor space for children to engage in construction play with large bricks, or dance and move to music. Off the premises the children regularly visit the local park and attend a number of parent and toddler clubs where they can use large equipment such as slides and climbing frames or use a parachute with other children to exercise. Children enjoy a good range of physical play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have access to two rooms to play in but they mainly use the rear room which has much more free floor space for them to move around in. A range of good safety procedures are in place to keep children safe. For example, the front door is always kept locked shut as it opens directly onto the pavement. The childminder risk assesses each child for their safety needs and has a fireguard and stair gates available should they be required. Toys and equipment are of good quality, regularly assessed for safety and hygienically maintained. Children play within a safe environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children participate in the childminder's good procedures for emergency evacuation. Children are very aware of fire dangers and happily report that they visit the local fire station, help make exit signs for the door and know what the smoke alarms sound like. They practise the emergency evacuation procedures which are written down and recorded. Children have the opportunity to learn about fire safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected by the childminder's good understanding of child protection issues. She has a well written safeguarding children policy and has clear information about the local child protection agencies. She keeps her knowledge up to date by attending regular courses. Children's well being is promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children and parents are welcomed warmly at the door. The childminder prepares interesting activities and has a good selection of toys available for them to use. Children know they can make their own choices from the range stored nearby. They have their favourites. One child particularly likes to play with books with musical press buttons. Children have good interaction with the childminder. They enjoy each others company as they play with good quality toys and engage in pursuits off the premises. Children are able to recount their visits to the parent and toddler group that the childminder organises. They also regularly visit the library and local parks. The children use interesting activities such as using foam pieces for sticking and have helped the childminder make recycling bags for her kitchen. They discussed why they were

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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 making them and the different items that go into each one. Children are able to tell their parents about them. Children enjoy their time with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children see a good range of toys with positive images of race and culture every time they attend. All children can play with all toys as there are no gender restrictions. The childminder has good attitudes towards the promotion of equality and has experience of looking after a variety of children from different races, cultures and religions. She also has a wealth of experience of caring for children and adults with learning difficulties and disabilities. However, within the toys and books there are very few positive images of disability. Overall, children learn that people are different.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children discuss house rules with the childminder. They learn about desirable and undesirable behaviour through the strategies the childminder uses to promote harmony within her home. A list of house rules is displayed in the room at child height, She refers the children to these when necessary. The childminder regularly discusses children's behaviour with their parents, generally reporting on good behaviour as children rarely need to be reprimanded or sanctioned. Children build self esteem and play within well defined boundaries. Parents report that they are very happy with the service provided, have regular discussions with the childminder as well as receiving written development records on their children. They report that, most importantly, their children are happy. Children benefit from continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder's registration document is displayed. All adults in the household have been vetted and are suitable to be with children. The childminder has attained a qualification in childminding to NVQ level 3 and attends a variety of workshops and courses to keep her knowledge of childcare issues up to date. Children are looked after by a childminder who is qualified and experienced.

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Organisation

The childminder has well maintained paperwork completed on each child. She also keeps written development notes of them which are shared with parents. Her attendance register is marked daily and all relevant paperwork is readily available for parents to see. The childminder has completed a service contract with parents which they regularly review together. Children's records are confidential and stored appropriately. 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 received one recommendation to continue to develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. Since then the childminder has attended one lot of updating training and is currently waiting to do another safeguarding children course to stay abreast of recent changes. Children's well being is a high priority to the childminder.

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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 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): • assess current toys and books for positive images of disability and increase the range if necessary

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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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