St Mary's Catholic Primary School - a Catholic voluntary academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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147241 Unique Reference Number 05 February 2008 Inspection date Anahita Aderianwalla 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 outstanding. 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 registered since 1992.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She lives with her partner and two older children in a three bed semi detached property. The house is situated in a largely residential area and is close to local amenities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The areas of the home that are used for childminding purposes are the kitchen, front room, downstairs toilet, upstairs bedroom and the rear garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

At present the childminder cares for three children under eight years who attend on different days and times. She also offers after school care and currently minds three children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Early Years Partnership.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's health is effectively promoted by the childminder who has an excellent understanding of children’s health, hygiene and nutrition. Children thrive in a home in which the importance of good hygiene and personal care is thoroughly promoted through the childminder's daily routines. As a result young children develop exceptional self-care skills and an understanding of the importance of these routines from an early age, for example, they know that they need to wash their hands before eating, or after a messy activity.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a well balanced diet, they begin to develop an understanding of foods which are good for them as the childminder talks with them and provides plenty of fruit and vegetables. The childminder provides all the children's meals, with a weekly menu pinned to the notice board for parents. The childminder follows robust food hygiene procedures and liaises closely with parents to ensure that children's individual health and dietary needs are fully met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy activities which contribute to their good health and are expertly supported by the childminder who plans an extensive range of physical activities both within the home and garden as well as at play areas and on trips, such as the local activity farm. The plentiful opportunities to use a wide range of equipment develop children’s large and fine motor skills and children gain confidence in their own abilities, for example, as they play games in the garden and use a variety of large apparatus.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's wellbeing is further promoted by clear procedures and policies on illness, and health and safety which are shared and agreed with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment, made welcoming by displays of their work, photographs of them taking part in activities and stimulating play equipment together with the childminder's enthusiastic and caring personality.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is successfully promoted by the childminder's vigilant supervision and a range of measures, such as the use of safety gates and a comprehensive risk assessment record for highlighting potential hazards. This enables children to move around most of the ground floor safely, freely and independently and any slip trips or falls are minimised. The childminder gives priority to helping children learn how to keep themselves safe through general conversation and daily routines together with practise of situations, such as road safety and emergency evacuation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder effectively ensures that children would be well cared for in the event of an emergency by having considered and drawn up clear procedures to follow, for example, in the event of accidents or children becoming separated. In addition, the childminder has a current first aid qualification and takes a first aid kit and list of children's emergency contact details on outings. Children's wellbeing would also be promoted in the event of child protection concerns arising because the childminder has a secure understanding of her responsibilities and the procedures to follow.

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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 Children benefit from play with an excellent range of good quality, stimulating play equipment which is appropriate to their age and stage of development. All equipment is risk assessed and cleaned on a regular basis. Children become independent as they eagerly choose from activities and resources that are readily available to them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder and become absorbed in the extensive range of activities available. Children gain independence and confidently choose from an extensive range of activities and resources that are easily accessible to them and are empowering. Children learn about colour, shape, solids and liquids, for example, through the childminder's highly efficient interaction with them. Children benefit greatly from the childminder's highly effective use of planning stimulating activities for all ages to participate in.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are secure and confident due to the caring and strong relationships that the childminder has developed with them. The childminder spends time talking to and getting to know the children so that she can plan and present activities to meet their individual needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has begun to use the Birth to three framework and the Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage, to plan a range of activities to promote children's learning and these are very flexible on the children's wishes when they arrive. She recognises areas for improvement and is in the process of developing a highly effective system to record children's achievements through observation and to identify development goals, allowing her to extend children's learning further. At present this is with the use of photographic evidence and daily diaries.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play with great interest and enthusiasm, they concentrate for extended periods from a very early age and rapidly develop new skills, such as drawing on both sides with the felt tips in both hands. Play materials are very well organised, readily accessible to all ages of children in her care. There is a notice board with plans for children and parents to see, along side children's displays as they enter the house. This means they can continue to discuss topics, such as the seasons and what is happening to nature and the weather. The childminder has an extensive range of knowledge of nature, gained from discovering with the children, what things are and where they come from. The children's learning is very rapid, as the childminder is very aware of their individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has excellent procedures in place to share information with parents about their child's achievements. This ensures that parents are able to provide the childminder with details about their child that enable her to provide for and meet the individual needs of all children in her care. The childminder has developed highly effective procedures to provide parents with information, detailing her policies and procedures. She works closely with parents to ensure that children benefit from a consistent approach to their care. There is an excellent system of two way communication with parents, such as when sharing their child's achievements from home and she is extremely positive.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave impeccably in response to the praise and encouragement from the childminder. She ensures that at all times she is a positive role model to children; as a result children learn

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 exceptional manners. Children are treated as individuals and equally. Regular liaison with parents ensures that the individual needs of all children are very well met.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children flourish as they are made to feel at home and at ease in this environment which is organised to meet their needs and maximise play opportunities. The childminder makes excellent use of resources to maximise children's enjoyment and promote their development. Children benefit greatly from the childminder's experience, skills and qualifications; the childminder continues to update and further her extensive knowledge of childcare by regularly attending courses. She demonstrated through discussion that she has a clear sense of purpose and a commitment to continual improvement.

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Organisation

Children's health, safety and wellbeing is promoted effectively because all the legally required documentation is detailed, accurate, up-to-date and shared with parents. In addition, children's care is supported by comprehensive, clearly written policies and procedures.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder was required to make sure that outdoor play provision and equipment were clean and update her knowledge of Child Protection procedures. The childminder has a very large outdoor playroom built, and this ensures all equipment is clean and organised well. The childminder has sound knowledge of child protection, and a very detailed policy in place. This ensures that children in her care are safe.

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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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