St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Stacksteads, Bacup

Inspection report for early years provision

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119661 Unique Reference Number 31 January 2008 Inspection date Chris Banks 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 2000. She lives with her school aged son in a two bedroom flat in the E1 area of Tower Hamlets. A lounge and bedroom are the main areas used for childminding purposes. There is no garden but a children's drop in centre with outdoor play space is within walking distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for a maximum of three children at any one time. She is not registered to care for children overnight. She currently cares for one child on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder's home is bright, clean and well maintained with good hygiene standards throughout. Babies benefit from the good hygiene practice of the childminder who ensures nappy changing arrangements are comfortable and suitably managed. The childminder also effectively describes how she encourages older children's awareness of good personal hygiene.

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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's overall health is well protected because the childminder has a clear written sickness policy which makes clear the circumstances under which children cannot be cared for. Good practical precautions are also taken to ensure children only return when they are well enough. This helps prevent the spread of infection to other children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder takes effective practical steps if a child become ill or has an accident in her care. The childminder also holds a valid first aid certificate which means she is well prepared in the event of an emergency. There is written permission for the childminder to seek emergency medical treatment on behalf of the parent and a clear, agreed procedure for administering any medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a nutritionally well balanced range of meals and snacks. They eat fresh fruit and vegetables on a regular basis and are provided with drinks throughout the day. The individual dietary needs of children are clearly recorded and the childminder is sensitive to the needs of children from different cultural backgrounds.

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Helping children to be healthy

Opportunities for children to engage in physical play are restricted in the home but children routinely enjoy fresh air and exercise at the local drop in centre where they have access to a range of equipment to support their physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well protected because the childminder takes good practical safety precautions and ensures they are well supervised at all times. Space is suitably organised and free of hazards which helps ensure children are safe and comfortable as they learn to walk and explore their surroundings with great curiosity.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are also protected because there is a clear written evacuation plan with an identified place of safety away from the home. They practise a fire drill with the childminder on a regular basis which helps prepare them in the event of any real emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder acts in the best interests of children when making arrangements for their safe arrival and collection. Accurate attendance records are kept and only those named on the child's registration form may collect them. There is also a clear written procedure for the childminder to follow in the unlikely event a child is not collected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The overall welfare of children is safeguarded because the childminder demonstrates a suitable understanding of child protection issues. She can describe various signs and symptoms, knows the action to take if she has concerns about a child and is clear about the role of Ofsted. There is also up to date written guidance for her to follow with emergency contact details.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children receive an affectionate welcome from the childminder who is getting to know their personalities well. They enjoy warm support and have become happy and familiar with their daily routines. If they become restless or distracted the childminder quietly reassures them with a cuddle and suggests alternative activities.

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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 Children's progress is suitably monitored by the childminder who keeps simple written observations about their development. They are congratulated when they take their first steps and are encouraged to explore their surroundings.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There is a good range of very well cared for play materials and equipment, suitable for various ages and stage of development. These include arts and crafts materials a good section of books, lots of puzzles and various educational games. Not all resources, however, are easily accessible to children as most are stored in the kitchen which is secured with a safety gate.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have contact with others when the childminder visits nearby a nearby under fives' facility where they meet other children on a regular basis.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder values children as individuals and effectively works with parents to ensure she meets the health, dietary and care needs of each child. Information is effectively gathered and recorded and parents are encouraged to be actively involved with the settling in process. The childminder is quietly reassuring to new parents which helps ease the separation process. There are clear written contractual agreements in place which include a complaints procedure with up to date contact details for Ofsted. Through discussion, the childminder effectively describes how she shares information with parents about their child's progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about the wider world and its diverse communities through a suitable range of play activities. They visit the local 'drop in' centre on a regular basis where they socialise with children from many other backgrounds and also enjoy playing with a range of non discriminatory toys in the home of the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Through discussion, the childminder demonstrates how she effectively guides children's behaviour. She describes how praise and encouragement helps build children's self esteem and gives some good examples of how she reacts to different situations. Her calm, patient approach reassures children and help make them feel secure.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Space in the comfortable home is sufficient for the number of children the childminder is registered to care for and is suitably organised. Rest and sleep arrangements are clean and comfortable and children are made to feel at home because the childminder is very welcoming.

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Organisation

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the individual needs of children and effectively plans daily routines. Clear, well developed policies and procedures relating to children's health and welfare are effectively put into practice and shared in writing with parents.

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Organisation

The childminder has updated her knowledge in child protection and First Aid and now needs to familiarise herself with the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Organisation

Documentation is well organised and kept confidentially. The childminder is clear about the circumstances when Ofsted needs to be contacted.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection, the childminder was required to complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for babies and young children. Children are now better protected as she has attended training and updated her certificate. She was also asked to improve her understanding of children's nutrition. The childminder works flexibly with parents to meet children's dietary needs and offers a well balanced choice of meals and snacks.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The recommendation to improve opportunities for children's creative play and to ensure they are taken out has been addressed. There are now resources for children to enjoy painting and other simple craft activities in the childminder's home and they also visit a well equipped drop in centre with outdoor play space,

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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 to meet the National Standards. 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): • continue to gain knowledge and understanding of how children learn and develop

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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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