St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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103998 Unique Reference Number 12 November 2007 Inspection date Heather Morgan 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 1994. She lives with her husband and daughter in a bungalow in the village of Bow, seven miles from Crediton. The family have a pet cat. Children access the whole of the property, including an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding 21 children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. Children over eight years also attend during out of school hours. The childminder walks to the local school and pre-school to take and collect children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are developing a healthy lifestyle as they are given good opportunities to play outdoors in the fresh air. They are able to run around in the large garden to exercise and develop their physical skills, and also walk to local parks. They enjoy regular meals, snacks and drinks to ensure they are suitably nourished and maintain their levels of hydration whilst playing. Children

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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 learn about healthy foods and are able to name lots of different varieties of fruit that they like to eat.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well cared for in the event of an accident as the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and keeps her first aid kit accessible. A clear record of accidents is kept and shared with parents in order to promote children's continuity of care. The childminder also keeps clear records regarding the administration of medication, but these are not countersigned by parents. The current system for recording medication does not have due regard to confidentiality.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from the risk of infection as the childminder has a clear policy in place to inform parents about the importance of keeping children at home when they are ill. Children learn good hygiene procedures to protect themselves as the childminder helps them to wash their hands thoroughly after using the toilet or before eating. She also follows effective hygiene procedures herself, such as good hand washing before preparing food or after changing nappies, to further protect children from the risk of cross infection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in areas of the house that are safe, secure and offer a welcoming environment. They are protected from harm as the childminder assesses potential hazards within the home and takes steps to minimise identified risks. For example, electric sockets are covered when not in use, kitchen drawers and cupboards are protected with safety catches and there is a fire guard in place. The large garden is fully enclosed to enable children to play safely outdoors. Children are secured in buggies or use walking reins to keep them safe when walking around the local area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use resources that are in good condition and are well organised. This enables them to easily access toys and equipment that are appropriate for their stage of development. They are well supervised when playing to ensure that children of mixed ages and abilities can play together; for example when younger children show an interest in toys that are not appropriate for them, they are quickly offered interesting alternatives.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted well as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and shares her policy with parents. She is aware of appropriate procedures to follow and has a range of relevant documentation to support her in implementing these in the event of any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children of all ages enjoy their time with the childminder. They have good opportunities to choose from the wide range of available resources and also to participate in planned activities such as painting, modelling with play dough and exploring different craft techniques. Younger children attend the local toddler group to extend their social skills and older children enjoy excursions such as bus trips to the museum in Exeter during their school holidays.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's play experiences are enhanced by the sensitive interaction of the childminder. She has a good understanding of child development and supports their progress by asking questions that encourage them to solve problems; she supports language development by clearly naming

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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 familiar objects when handling resources. Children enjoy learning as they play and are able to correctly identify different colours and name familiar characters from favourite books and television programmes. They use their imagination well as they begin to develop stories when playing co-operatively with small world resources such as cars and trains.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are met well as the childminder gathers information about their routines to support her in providing consistent care. Children settle well and are confident within the familiar environment of the childminder's home. They are supported effectively in accessing activities that are appropriate for their stage of development and begin to develop an awareness of diversity through watching different television programmes or videos and sharing books. The childminder has a secure understanding of child development and promptly discusses any concerns with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good. They play well together, sharing resources and taking turns, and their good behaviour is rewarded with praise and encouragement. The childminder is familiar with a range of strategies to support her in managing unacceptable behaviour and works closely with parents to ensure a consistent approach.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes because the childminder develops good relationships with parents, using drop off and pick up times to exchange information that supports her in meeting children's individual needs. Written policies, contracts and an informative notice board further support the good communication between the childminder and parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care. She is well organised and implements effective policies and procedures to promote children's health, safety and well-being. Activities and play opportunities are planned carefully to meet the needs of the different aged children attending.

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Organisation

All regulatory documentation is in place and used effectively to exchange information with parents. For example, comprehensive contracts are in place and enhanced by written policies and procedures. The childminder keeps her first aid qualification up to date and sometimes accesses additional training to keep up to date with current legislation.

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Organisation

Detailed registers provide an accurate record of children's attendance and support the childminder in managing part-time attendance patterns. An assistant is available to provide additional adult support when necessary.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection the childminder has improved her daily registers to provide a clear record of the children attending.

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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 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

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 medicine records are countersigned by parents and kept confidential

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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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