St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Darlaston

Inspection report for early years provision

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104235 Unique Reference Number 28 February 2008 Inspection date Jacqueline Allen 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 1998. She lives in a large house, with her husband and two children aged 14 and nine years in Exmouth, close to the town centre, parks and schools. The whole house is used for childminding, although mainly the ground floor is used through the day, where there are toilet facilities. There is a large, 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under eight years. She may also provide care for a maximum of two children under eight years on an overnight basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the Devon Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is well considered by the childminder, who holds a valid first aid certificate. Children's minor accidents and medication needs are appropriately recorded and shared with

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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 parents with all appropriate consents, including permission for the childminder to seek emergency treatment, as required. Children benefit from the childminder's good knowledge on infectious diseases, as she has a booklet to refer to, which ensures that sick children do not attend. Children are encouraged to blow their own noses, with additional help from the childminder, and dispose of the tissue hygienically. However, although the childminder takes care to prevent the spread of cross infection when changing nappies, through good hand washing and cleansing routines, she does not wear disposable gloves, to further protect children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a wide range of healthy, nutritious foods by the childminder. For example, they are offered cereal and toast for breakfast, fresh and dried fruits, hot cross buns and crumpets for snacks, sandwiches and home made soup for lunch and home made meals for tea, such as shepherds pie. Children's beakers are always available, offered regularly and refilled as required, to meet children's individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have lots of available space indoors and outside to move freely. They spend time outside as part of the daily routine, either visiting local attractions, such as Crealy Adventure Park or Bicton Park, or in the garden, using wheeled resources, where children can practise their gross motor skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children greatly benefit from the large, spacious homely environment which allows children to partake in a range of activities. They freely select from an excellent range of resources, such as a large dolls' house with accessories, pull along toys, dressing up clothes, train track, puzzles, cars and garage, books and play cots, highchairs and dolls, which is attractively laid out to ensure easy access.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is given the highest priority by the vigilant childminder, who has a very good awareness of potential hazards. For example, there are cupboard locks on low-level kitchen cupboards, electrical sockets are covered, a stair gate is used to limit children's access to the first floor and sheds are locked. Children practise the emergency evacuation procedure regularly, as the childminder has a procedure in place which involves someone phoning her regularly to tell her to evacuate, which makes it more meaningful. Children's safety on outings is well considered as the childminder ensures car seats are all appropriate for children's use, has available a list of emergency contacts, a first aid box and mobile phone and uses wrist straps on children and bright yellow coats to ensure they can be easily identified. Sleeping children are safe as a baby monitor is used and the childminder checks on them regularly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is confidently safeguarded as the childminder has an excellent knowledge of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse. She has good awareness to record any concerns and follow the appropriate procedures, which are in line with the Local Safeguarding Children's Board. She routinely records existing injuries and shares a comprehensive child protection policy with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy with the caring, attentive childminder. They move happily between the play equipment, bringing cups and saucers, a milk jug and sugar bowl before using the teapot to pour a cup of tea for the childminder. Children's language skills are continually

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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 encouraged through good use of open ended questions and effective interaction which extends their understanding. Children are encouraged to treat dolls gently, feeding, changing and cuddling them before putting them down to sleep. They quickly become rapt in their play, relishing every play opportunity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has excellent awareness of children's individual stage of development and provides a wide variety of resources knowing that children of a young age become bored easily. She gets down on the floor with children when playing with the dolls house and the fantastic range of play people and accessories, observing children's play and interacting with them in a fun relaxed way. She routinely encourages children to be independent, such as when wiping their nose, pulling up their trousers and putting on their shoes. Daily routines are flexible to ensure children's individual needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children greatly benefit from an effective settling-in procedure which reassures parents and meets children's individual needs. Good information is obtained from parents, including daily routines for young children to aid consistency. Children learn about diversity through the excellent range of resources which reflect positive images, such as play figures, puzzles and a fantastic range of books which introduce young children to foods from around the world, blindness and disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Although the childminder has never been approached to care for a child with additional needs she is aware of how activities could be adapted to ensure all children are included. The childminder is aware of the need to have good communication with parents and other professionals, to ensure children's needs are known and met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well as the childminder is continually attentive to their individual needs. She uses a variety of strategies to manage children's behaviour, which are shared with parents via a behaviour management policy. She is particularly good at pre-empting situations to avoid possible confrontation and distracting children effectively. Children are routinely praised and encouraged in all their efforts. The childminder displays very positive body language which reassures children and encourages positive behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children greatly benefit from the effective sharing of information with parents. The childminder has put together a fantastic portfolio which clearly informs parents of the care she provides and all the policies in place to ensure children are safe, happy and healthy. In addition, parents can access information from the childminder's website.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children's care is enhanced by the wealth of knowledge and experience of the caring, professional childminder who has good knowledge of the National Standards and shows commitment to improving children's health by revising her nappy changing procedures.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the good organisation of daily routines which include a good balance of activities. Children's registration systems are accurately recorded and clearly show that registered numbers are maintained. Documentation is extremely well organised. All regulatory records are

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 available, updated and kept confidential. The registration certificate is displayed and the childminder has put together clear, professional policies and procedures which reflect her good practice.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last care inspection one recommendation was raised in relation to ensuring that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. The childminder has purchased a range of resources which reflect positive images of diversity and regularly uses these books to read to children, which improves children's care.

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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 suitable nappy changing procedures are implemented to help prevent cross contamination

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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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