St Clare's Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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107325 Unique Reference Number 04 February 2008 Inspection date Rebecca Elizabeth Khabbazi 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 husband who is also a registered childminder, and two adult children. The family live in a three bedroom flat in Denmark Hill. All of the property is used for childminding, except for the bedrooms.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years old when working alone and seven children under eight when working jointly with her husband. There are currently five children under eight on roll in total. The childminder also cares for children over eight years old.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from regular meals and snacks and the childminder encourages them to develop healthy eating habits when she gives them fruit for their snack and plenty of water to drink.

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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 Children do not have access to a garden but enjoy daily outings including regular visits to the park to run around in the fresh air. They learn about simple good hygiene practices when they wash their hands after they use the toilet and before they eat, but as minded children share a towel, they are not fully protected from the risk of cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is protected because the childminder has a current first aid certificate and has systems in place to keep records of any accidents children have and any medicine they need to be given. There is a written sickness policy in place and arrangements for emergencies have been discussed with parents. However, parents have not been asked to give written consent for the childminder to seek medical advice or treatment for their child in an emergency, to ensure their wishes are clearly recorded and can be acted on.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming environment, with facilities to meet their needs. Their risk of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder takes effective steps to reduce potential hazards, such as making sure safety gates are in place before children arrive, and keeping any cleaning materials up high out of children's reach. These measures help ensure children can move freely around the home, and the childminder makes sure that appropriate harnesses are used in the buggy or for walking children as needed, so that they are also kept safe on outings. The childminder conducts regular fire practices and keeps a record of these in a log. Precautions such as the fire blanket and smoke alarms also protect children from the risk of being exposed to harm from a fire. Children choose from a good variety of toys and play materials that the childminder checks frequently to make sure they are clean and there are no

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

sharp or broken parts. This helps children play safely. The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities towards the children in her care, and knows what to do if she has child protection concerns about a child. This helps safeguard children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and settled in the childminder's home. The childminder is warm and affectionate towards minded children, which helps them form good relationships and settle quickly. She is attentive to the needs of younger children, ensuring they are comfortable and talking to them as they play. Children are involved in a good range of activities and experiences that support their development and learning. They enjoy daily outings, such as to local childminding drop-ins where they can socialise with other children, to play in the park, or a trip to the shops. There is a familiar routine for going out, eating and sleeping, which helps them feel secure. At the childminder's home they help themselves to a wide variety of play materials in the playroom as well as enjoying art and craft activities, painting, cooking and play dough. The childminder encourages older children to be independent and they help lay the table for

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

tea. She keeps regular records of children's activities and achievements, which keep parents well informed about their child's progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are welcomed into the setting and are valued as individuals, including those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The childminder makes sure she finds out about children'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 needs before they start and spends time helping them settle in. She plans activities so that all children can take part at their own level, so that everyone is included. Children learn to value diversity when the childminder prepares food from around the world or they talk about the different festivals people celebrate or their own traditional dress. The childminder ensures that suitable strategies for managing children's behaviour are agreed both with the child's parents and also her co-childminder, to ensure a consistent approach. This helps children learn to behave well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from positive relationships between the childminder and their parents. They talk on a regular basis to exchange information and parents also receive written reports about their child. All aspects of the children's care have been discussed with parents, but some agreements have not been confirmed in writing, including the arrangements for joint childminding, which mean that a child is sometimes in the sole care of the co-childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder keeps required training such as her first aid certificate up to date and makes good use of local courses to further develop her knowledge and skills. She organises the home around the children's needs, for instance there is a dedicated playroom where toys are readily accessible and there is plenty of space to play. The day is planned so that children are well occupied and enjoy a range of experiences. The childminder keeps all of the required documentation that promotes the health, safety and wellbeing of minded children, as well as additional policies and procedures and written reports for parents. 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 was asked to update her policies and procedures. She now updates these on a regular basis and ensures they provide relevant and useful information for parents.

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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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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

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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): • request written consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for their child • improve hygiene precautions in relation to children's hand drying facilities • ensure arrangements for joint childminding are clarified in writing with parents

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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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