St Bernadette's Roman Catholic Primary School, Whitefield

Inspection report for early years provision

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105347 Unique Reference Number 31 January 2008 Inspection date Glenda Pownall 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 satisfactory. 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 registered in 1988. She lives with her two adult children and 12 year old child in Langley, Berkshire. The childminder uses a play room on the ground floor of the house for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She is currently minding one child under five full-time and two children under five part-time and one child after school and during the holidays. The childminder makes use of local facilities such as parks and toddler groups. The family has a dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder shares her written sick child policy with parents and follows an appropriate nappy changing procedure; this reduces the risk of cross infection. However, she does not always reinforce children’s understanding of good personal hygiene routines as she does not always remind them to wash their hands before eating lunch.

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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 The childminder has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow with regard to recording accidents and the administration of medication. This promotes the health of children. Children have their dietary needs met because the childminder discuses and records with parents their wishes and children’s requirements with regard to food. In addition, parents provide all the food for their children’s snacks and meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities to experience physical play. They undertake physical play activities at toddler groups, walk to and from school, visit the park and soft play centre.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to a range of resources covering all aspect of learning. The childminder makes regular checks to ensure they remain in a safe condition for children to use. However, the television is positioned very high up on the wall and children have to tilt their head right back as they view the screen. This is not conducive to their good health. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained environment. There is limited space in the play room for children to spread out and play but they spend much of their time on outings or at toddler groups.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder risk assesses the areas of the house used for childminding to ensure it is safe for children to play in. There is a stair gate on the playroom door to prevent children leaving this room unsupervised and there is an emergency evacuation plan in place. However, the fire blanket is not located according to the manufacturer’s instructions to further promote the safety of children within the house. Children develop understanding of keeping themselves safe when out walking as the childminder describes encouraging children to walk away from the kerb, to hold hands and follow good road safety practice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a secure knowledge of the procedure to follow if concerned a child is at risk from abuse. This protects children whilst in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children form warm relationships with the childminder and approach her readily for cuddles. They are happy and settled in her care. Children play imaginatively with a play kitchen. They stir and ‘taste’ the food and explain they are making “onion and pineapple sauce.” Children concentrate at activities. For example, they complete interlocking puzzles with the encouragement and support of the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident to enthusiastically sing along with songs on the television. The childminder responds positively to the sounds and gestures of young children. This supports language development. Children play well together, for example, they take turns to race small world figures down a ramp. Children are able to choose the resources they play with, this supports their independence skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder treats all children with equal concern according to their individual needs and she shares her written equal opportunity policy with parents. Children develop a sense of self worth as the childminder provides resources reflecting their culture. The childminder’s

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 management of children and their behaviour is good. As a result children behave well. The childminder is calm and patient and uses appropriate strategies, such as distraction and explanation and any disputes are resolved amicable.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops a positive working relationship with parents. She provides parents with a prospectus containing the policies and procedures of the setting and verbally discusses the children’s daily activities and routines. Parents are welcomed in to settle children in. This supports continuity of care. The childminder shares her complaints policy with parents and displays the contact details of the regulator. This promotes continuity of care. Parents state they are happy with the care their children receive and particularly like the activities provided and that their children are happy in the childminder’s care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She has a sound understanding of her responsibilities under the National Standards and closely supervises children when out or when people who are not vetted are present. All required documentation for the effective running of the setting is in place. However, the childminder does not always encourage children to wash their hands at appropriate times and she has not considered how to position the fire blanket in order for it to be used effectively.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection one action was raised and two recommendations were made. The childminder now ensures all household members over 16 years undergo the appropriate suitability checks. A stair gate prevents children gaining access to the first floor, cleaning materials are no longer accessible to children in the cloakroom and all medicine records are signed by parents. This promotes the wellbeing of children in the childminder’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 satisfactory. 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):

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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 • reinforce children's understanding of effective personal hygiene routines by encouraging them to always wash their hands before touching food • review the position of the television to ensure children can see the screen with out having to tilt their necks back • ensure the fire blanket is appropriately positioned in accordance with the manufacturers instructions.

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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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