St Martins School

Inspection report for early years provision

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113042 Unique Reference Number 09 January 2008 Inspection date Louise, Caroline Bonney 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 has been a registered since 1999. She lives with her husband and two school-aged children on the outskirts of Aldershot. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder currently cares for two children under eight and three over eight after school. She is registered to care for up to six children at any one time. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family have pet cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the Aldershot Childcare Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in premises and with equipment that are clean and hygienic. They develop understanding of good hygiene through daily routines. Babies and toddlers wear bibs when

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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 eating to keep their clothes clean. They wipe their hands before and after feeding to prevent the spread of germs. They each use their own easily identifiable beaker and the childminder encourages them to have frequent drinks. Their parents provide all their food and babies enjoy the close attention the childminder gives them as they eat their breakfast. Toddlers have a healthy snack of a banana and independently feed themselves. The childminder liaises closely with parents about children's developing diets. This ensures they are well-nourished and take plenty of fluids.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder seeks information about any allergies and supports children's medical needs. She seeks appropriate written consent from parents prior to the administration of medication. This ensures children receive correct dosages. Children receive appropriate first aid treatment and parents share the accident record. This provides continuity of care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young children have their home routines reflected in the setting, such as for sleeps and feeds. They each have a separate set of bedding for the cot. Nappy changing routines are excellent. The childminder is careful to wipe the mat after use, wears disposable gloves, immediately wraps and bins nappies and washes her hands. This prevents the spread of contamination. Children receive protection from illness through the childminder sharing her sickness procedure verbally with parents. This ensures unwell children do not attend the setting.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily outings as they walk to and from school. They have a good range of equipment in the garden to climb and balance on as well as wheeled toys. They visit the local park where they freely run and play on the apparatus. Indoors toddlers have space to push along buggies, jump and dance. This provides them with good opportunities for exercise, which supports their health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in premises that are safe and secure. The childminder uses safety gates and the double buggy to prevent their access to the stairs and utility room. Children cannot catch their fingers in closing doors as they have door-jams or locks to keep them open. Children's toys and outdoor equipment are in excellent condition. Indoor toys are easily accessible in boxes on the floor. When out walking younger children wear reins. This prevents accidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Toddlers develop control of their bodies as they jump, spin and dance indoors without falling over, or push buggies around without bumping into things. The childminder stops children as they clamber on furniture, explaining that they may fall and hurt themselves. Outside they have suitable challenges as they climb, slide and bounce on the trampet, or use large apparatus in the park. Older children know the rules about walking home from school and practise road safety procedures. This helps children develop awareness of risk and how to control it.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder shares with parents her evacuation procedures and contact numbers of childminders who provide her with emergency cover. However, she does not practise her fire drill with children to ensure they know how to quickly evacuate the premises in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children receive good protection from possible abuse or neglect. The childminder attends up-dating training and records all existing injuries and shares this record with parents. Parents sign her safeguarding children procedure, which also contains contact details for Social Services and the Police. This safeguards the children well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and happy. They develop warm and friendly relationships with each other and the childminder, often having spontaneous hugs or sit on her lap between activities. The childminder devotes her time to supporting the children during their activities and they enjoy her interaction. Children access a very good range of resources and happily initiate their own play and learning. Babies and toddlers enjoy pushing buggies forwards and backwards, or jump and spin as they learn physical control. They enjoy pushing buttons on toys that flash or make noises. They develop communication as the childminder describes 'are you dancing' and they reflect what each other say.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children attend several toddler groups each week. They meet up with other childminders and develop friendships with their children. This provides good opportunities for the children to socialise in larger groups and helps them develop confidence. Children access additional activities at toddler groups, such as art and craft activities. Children attend the library song, rhyme and story time and choose books for the childminder to loan. This helps them develop an interest in sharing stories. Children visit various parks, including some with sandpits or zip lines, which stimulates their enjoyment of physical activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the close partnership the childminder develops with parents. Parents receive well-documented information about the setting's policies and procedures. The childminder seeks information about children's individual care needs through the completion of consent forms, contracts and child detail forms. She is aware of children's home routines, such as the snugglies they like to have at nap time. The childminder completes a daily diary at the parents' request, which gives details of children's development and care. Some parents receive feedback by telephone each day. This ensures there is a good exchange of information to support the care of the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children play with a good range of resources and look at books that reflect multi-culturalism and disability. The childminder values them as individuals, with each following their own routine for sleeps and meals. The childminder manages children's behaviour well. She distracts toddlers when they want another's toy, and clearly explains why they can't have it. This is helping them develop awareness of appropriate behaviour.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the good organisation of the provision. Their toys are sorted and easily accessible and fixed garden apparatus is ready for use. They enjoy a wide variety of activities, some of which the childminder plans in advance, such as trips to the library or toddler groups. Children receive close support during their activities as the childminder organises her time and ratios well. This currently provides children with opportunities to receive her sole attention for 1:1 activities.

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Organisation

The childminder maintains close links with other childminders and regularly attends training workshops. These include courses such as food hygiene, behaviour management, books and story time and child protection. The childminder has been unable to secure a place on a Birth

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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 to three matters course, but has read the supporting materials. This helps the childminder evaluate and develop her provision well.

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Organisation

Children's safety and welfare are supported through the childminder developing effective policies and procedures. She maintains records and documentation methodically and efficiently and maintains confidentiality. 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 care inspection, the provider was recommended to seek consent from parents for requesting emergency medical advice or treatment and to develop a complaints procedure. The childminder now has consents in place to support the provision of emergency medical advice or treatment. This ensures appropriate action is promptly available following accidental injury. Parents read and sign the comprehensive written complaints procedure. This supports the development of good partnership with parents.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require 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): • practise the fire drill.

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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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