St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, Oswaldtwistle

Inspection report for early years provision

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119660 Unique Reference Number 15 November 2007 Inspection date Vivienne Rose 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 was registered in 1994. She lives with her two adult sons in Bow, in the London borough of Tower Hamlets. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and this includes bathroom facilities. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding two children on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and drop-ins and takes children to the local park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from playing in a warm welcoming environment. There are effective procedures in place to make sure that most of the children's health needs are met, for example records of accidents are clear and detailed. Children are encouraged to wash their hands before eating

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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 and after toileting. The use of separate towels for children and clear hygiene procedures such as cleaning nappy changing mats and wearing gloves ensure that children are safe from cross-infection. Parents give prior permission for prescribed medication. However, not all parents have given written permission for emergency treatment to ensure children's well-being. The childminder is vigilant in gathering relevant information on the medical and dietary needs of children attending to support their needs well.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy snacks and they are encouraged to understand that fruit is good for them. Healthy snacks include bananas, mandarins and bread sticks. The childminder's menu respects the children's individual cultural and religious needs. Children have satisfactory opportunities to develop their physical skills when they visit local parks and play centres on a daily basis to support their well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a safe warm environment where they have sufficient space to move around freely and safely to support their development. For example, children can access the toilet independently. Children use a satisfactory range of toys which generally promotes learning and are developmentally appropriate to meet their needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The regular organisation of emergency evacuation drills and the checks made on the toys and equipment ensure that children begin to understand how to keep themselves safe. Toys and resources are stored in boxes. However, these are not always fully accessible to children to allow them to make choices. There are systems in place to record the arrival and departure of children. However, these are not always fully maintained to give a clear picture of the children's attendance on any one day. This has an impact on the children's safety and well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and the signs ands symptoms which would give her cause for concern. Incidents are recorded effectively and these records are shared with parents. The childminder has a written child protection policy and has recently attended training to update her knowledge and awareness. However, the policy is yet to be updated in line with recent changes to the requirements of the Local Safeguarding Children's Board (LSCB).

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well in the childminder's house. They are confident and make themselves at home in the friendly and caring environment which is created for them. Children play well with the toys provided. They concentrate and enjoy sitting closely when the childminder reads the 'Tickle my Nose' story. They are supported to develop their language skills as the childminder spends time encouraging them to express themselves. For example, she draws their attention to the colours of the fruit and talks about it being 'yummy'. The children are taken regularly on visits to local activities, such as the toy library and drop-in which develops their social skills well. The childminder does not use the Birth to three matters framework at present to support her work with children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are beginning to develop their independence skills and make it known when they want to play with a toy or look at books. However, not all resources are easily accessible to fully

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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 encourage children's choice. For example, there are limited opportunities for children to access resources to develop their creative and mark making skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder ensures that her resources positively represent the children who attend. This helps them to develop a positive attitude to others. Children are well behaved and understand the consistent boundaries set for them according to their age and stage of development. This helps them to learn what is right and wrong. The childminder has some experience of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and provides resources which encourage children to understand the needs of others, such as picture books and stories about children with sensory disabilities. Children are treated with respect and equal concern because the childminder meets their medical and individual dietary needs well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A satisfactory partnership with parents and the regular exchange of verbal information and the use of written daily diaries contribute to the continuity of care given. The childminder shares her polices with parents and this ensures that they are fully informed about the service that she provides. She works closely with parents to ensure that routines compliment the child's routines at home, for example sleeping arrangements. There is a complaints procedure in place and any complaints are effectively recorded. However, the methodology used is to be updated in line with current legislation.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel comfortable and at ease in the environment. They know the childminder well and are relaxed and happy. Children receive satisfactory care and attention from the childminder to support their learning and development, for example when she helps a child with the dressing puzzle, which he enjoys. Children are able to access toys on request and some resources, for example dolls and prams and kitchen unit are easily accessible. However, the room is not organised to enable children to easily access to toys independently to promote choice. The childminder organises her routines throughout the week to ensure that the children have regular outings to local groups. This helps them to develop their social skills and understanding of the world around them.

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Organisation

Most of the required documentation is in place and is well maintained and confidentially stored. However, the childminder has not obtained written permission for all the children attending to receive emergency treatment. The attendance register lacks detail. These compromise the children's welfare. 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 provider agreed to ensure that a daily register was kept. A register is now maintained, which records the arrival and departure times of children. However, the methodology used does not give a clear picture of the dates of the children's daily attendance to fully safeguard their welfare.

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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 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): • ensure that the register of attendance that is maintained clearly records the children's daily arrival and departure times • ensure that children have the opportunity to easily access toys and resources to promote choice, pay particular attention to creative and mark making resources • obtain written parental permission for emergency medical treatment for all the children attending.

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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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