Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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133337 Unique Reference Number 11 December 2007 Inspection date Tracy Bartholomew 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 family in Abingdon. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding; there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder regularly walks to the local shops, park and daily to the local school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding four children on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The premises are clean, suitably maintained and of an appropriate temperature. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge of first aid, and her understanding of hygiene issues, especially

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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 when touching the family’s pet dog and before and after meal times. This ensures that children remain healthy whilst in the childminders care. The childminder has detailed accident, medicine and incident records in place, which supports the children’s health. However, this does not maintain confidentiality.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder understands the need to encourage healthy eating. She offers children nutritious snacks and offers drinks such as water and squash at regular intervals throughout the day. Allergies and dietary needs are thoroughly discussed with parents as part of the settling in process, and all personal information is well documented. This ensures their individual dietary needs are catered for. Children lead a healthy lifestyle whilst in the childminder's care. They have plenty of opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They walk regularly to the local shops, park and daily to the local school. Children enjoy playing in the paved garden, which in turn develops their gross motor skills, whilst riding on the bikes.

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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 safe and secure home, which is organised appropriately to ensure that the children can move around freely. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of providing age and developmentally appropriate toys and play resources for the children. As a result, they have access to play materials and resources that provide good choice and promote good challenges for the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risks of accidental injury are minimised because the childminder is vigilant and has a thorough understanding of how to safeguard children in a secure environment. For example, smoke detectors are maintained in working order and secure ties on handles prevent children accessing potentially dangerous substances in kitchen cupboards. Children stay safe on outings because the childminder follows appropriate procedures and ensuring she has emergency details with her.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder who has a good understanding of safeguarding the children in her care. She is fully aware of the procedures to follow and completely understands the importance of confidentiality. This ensures she would be able to follow the correct procedures if she is concerned about the welfare of a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children take part in a wide variety of interesting and fun activities both inside and outside the home. They are involved in planning these activities, such as art work and glop play which greatly increases their interest in the activity, whilst extending their exploration skills. Children appear settled and relaxed within the warm child friendly environment. Children demonstrate a positive relationship with the childminder and enjoy receiving affection through hugs and cuddles. The childminder constantly talks to the children, which in turn develops the children's intellectual skills and which enables younger children to be able to count and sound out noises that cats, snakes and monkeys make. The childminder has a good awareness of children’s developmental needs, and shows an ongoing interest in what the children are doing. She uses the Birth to three matters framework to under pin and excel the children’s development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Toys are organised in boxes that even the youngest non-mobile children can choose from. Children have a wide selection of age appropriate and developmentally challenging toys, which

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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 they can obtain and self select from, with younger children using gestures to explain what they require. Children benefit from the childminder's clear awareness of their individual developmental needs and how to support these. She ensures that children can extend their learning by asking them what they would like to do and then challenging their behaviour by asking appropriate questions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children begin to learn about diversity through the resources that they use, such as small world, television and a wide selection of books. The childminder is skilled at helping children to behave appropriately. She is consistent in her approach and is calm and caring when meeting their individual needs, which she knows well. Children's behaviour is praised and encouraged continually, which in turn develops the children’s confidence and self-esteem. The childminder welcomes all children, including those with additional needs, although she has no experience in this regard.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder knows her minded children and their families very well. She has a good understanding of their differing needs and personal preferences. Children's well-being is promoted because the childminder develops open relationships with parents. She has written contracts and procedures in place to support the effective organisation. The childminder regularly exchanges information about the children with their parents at the end of the day, and backs this up at the end of term with an activity book, demonstrating the children's individual art work and pleasurable pictures of their day. This level of communication allows greater continuity of care between home and the childminder for the minded children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is suitably organised. She ensures that she cares for children within her registered numbers to ensure she is able to provide children with appropriate support and attention they require. Relevant documentation is available although is does not all maintain confidentiality. The childminder has a good understanding of the National Standards for Childminding, which enables her to provide good quality care. The childminder is aware of her responsibilities for ensuring that all persons, over the age of 16 years in her household, have been police checked. This means children are safeguarded whilst in her care. The childminder organises her home and time suitably for childminding purposes, and ensures effective relationships with parents are in place to support the individual welfare needs of children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

As a result of the last inspection the childminder was given three recommendations to improve practice. These where to, request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment, implement an incident record and to update children's individual records to include language, religion, cultural and religious observances. All relevant documentation and records have been updated and implemented. This means the childminder has improved children's safety and well-being by ensuring she has all the appropriate records in place, to maintain the children's health, safety and 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 1 April 2004 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 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): • maintain confidentiality in relation to all paperwork, especially the accident, incident and medicine book

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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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