The Cathedral School

Inspection report for early years provision

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120726 Unique Reference Number 21 December 2007 Inspection date Catherine Greenwood 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 husband and two children aged 15 years and 11 years in Brookwood, Surrey. Children have access to two rooms on the ground floor of the house. A bedroom on the first floor is available for children who need to sleep. There is a secure enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, and is currently minding seven children under eight years, six of whom attend part-time.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have pet pygmie goats and bearded dragons. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder asks parents to provide all food. This is so she can dedicate her time to going out with the children, and mealtimes do not disrupt activities. Children have snacks when they

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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 want them from their packed lunch boxes and drinks are usually made accessible and re-filled when necessary. Very young children are offered drinks between milk feeds.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from the risk of cross infection. For example, the childminder follows appropriate practice when changing children's nappies, and hand wash is available for children to use when they have handled the pets. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children use slides, climbing frames, tunnels and a soft play area when they visit toddler groups. They play in the childminder's garden and use a good range of outdoor equipment such as an enclosed trampoline, swing, rocker, wooden castle and slide. In addition there is a smaller climbing frame area for younger children to use. Children are taken on regular walks in the woods and to the nearby canal and lake. They use large equipment in parks and go on regular visits to soft play areas. Consequently, children make good progress in their physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. There is a good range of age appropriate play equipment which is safe and well maintained. The childminder rotates what is available, which means children are provided with a good variety. She checks her home each day and takes action to prevent potential hazards. For example, there is a safety gate on the stairs, cushions are put across the hearth, and the childminder teaches children there are certain things they cannot touch.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are working smoke alarms on each level of the home, which the childminder tests when children are present, so they don't get frightened in the event of a real fire. There is also a written evacuation procedure in place. However, the rear section of the large garden leads to a canal, and although the children are supervised at all times, the gate to this area is broken and is also not properly secured. In addition, the front door of the premises has a low level lock which is accessible to some children. This puts their safety at risk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's awareness of their own safety has been improved because the childminder organises age appropriate road safety sessions at the toddler group which she runs. When going in and out of the house the childminder follows good procedures to ensure children do not go near to busy roads.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is fully safeguarded because the childminder has a very good knowledge of the procedures to follow if she is concerned about a child. In addition, she has recently attended two training sessions to update her knowledge and current documentation and guidance is available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Communication with children is excellent. The childminder shows interest in what they say and do, and talks with them in a very positive way during their play. The childminder provides creative activities at home once or twice a week. For example, children enjoy sitting together and making Christmas cards using glue and collage materials. Consequently they are well occupied and enjoy making their own designs.

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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 show good self confidence as they tell the childminder what they want to play with. For example, they ask her to help them take out the dressing up clothes, dolls and buggies. Consequently children play together imaginatively, as they dress up as princes and princesses and act out some elements of stories. Younger children benefit from going to toddler group several times a week, one of which the childminder runs. They listen to stories, and take part in singing and craft activities in small groups.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy holding the childminder's pets such as the bearded dragons and stroking and helping to feed the pygmy goats which are kept within her garden. Consequently young children develop good self confidence with handling animals. The childminder plans lots of exciting outings according to the ages and number of children she is looking after. For example, she takes children to farms, woodland areas, on steam trains, to adventure parks and the seaside. Photographs show evidence of children building with bricks, playing in tents and tunnels, going on outings, using the climbing frame, playing in a shallow river and the garden, and laughing together. Older children have good opportunities to take part in activities that are sufficiently challenging, such as rock climbing at a dedicated centre. Consequently, children are provided with a wide range of experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder forms very close and caring relationships with the children. She knows each child very well and is very responsive to their individual needs, for example, younger children sit on her lap so that they are included in activities. Children are well behaved because the childminder has a very calm and patient approach and encourages children to play and do activities together. The childminder is not currently looking after children with learning difficulties, however, she feels confident to approach parents if she is concerned about a child's development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the open relationships the childminder establishes with parents where information is shared about their well-being. The childminder always tries to give parents positive information at the end of each day and provides them with photographs of their children throughout the year. This means they are well informed about what their children have been doing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about differences because the childminder makes a wide range of books easily accessible to the children, as well as other resources such as play people with disability and puzzles that reflect different racial origin. In addition, children make things at toddler group such as mosaic Diwali candles, and take part in cooking activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The environment is well organised and set up so that children can move freely between the two downstairs rooms used for play. Consequently, older children are confident to ask the childminder to take some resources into the sitting room when they choose to play in there. However, some aspects of children's safety have not been addressed in relation to the use of the garden.

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Organisation

Documentation is well organised and includes the childminder's personal profile. There is a wide range of written policies and procedures which have recently been updated and given to

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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 parents. The childminder makes effective use of these policies to contribute to children's welfare care and learning, although some necessary details have not been recorded, such as the hours of all children's attendance.

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Organisation

Since the last inspection, the childminder has attended a wide variety of additional training such as Safeguarding Children, Craft Activities for the Under Fives, Portfolio building, Birth to three matters, Are You Ready for your Inspection, Behaviour Management and Makaton. Consequently, she says it has 'given her the opportunity to focus on the care she provides, and do an even better job with looking after the children'. In addition, the childminder organises training workshops for other registered childminders such as Food Safety and Persona Dolls. 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 make Ofsted telephone number available to parents in case of complaints, and request written permission from parents for children to receive emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder has devised a written complaints procedure with Ofsted details and gives parents their own copy. She has recorded details of parental consent for children to receive emergency medical treatment on a separate sheet. Consequently, parents now have all necessary information, and the risks to children's health have been reduced.

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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. 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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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): • repair the rear garden gate and make it secure so that children cannot access the rear section of the garden and fit a high level lock to the front door of the premises • ensure all children are included on the attendance register.

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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 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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