St John Vianney Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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147342 Unique Reference Number 28 February 2008 Inspection date Kay Williams 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged 16 and seven. They live in Burnt Oak, which is located within the London borough of Barnet. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding three children under the age of five.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local toddler groups, takes children to the library and to the park. The family has a pet rabbit and two guinea pigs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 good. Children's health and well being is effectively promoted. Children are taught the importance of good personal hygiene as they practise familiar routines such as washing their hands after playing outside and independently helping themselves to tissues to wipe their noses. The risk of cross infection is significantly reduced as they use disposable paper towels to dry their hands and the childminder implements hygienic nappy changing routines by using disposable gloves and anti-bacterial spay to clean the changing mat. Children are further protected from the risk of cross infection as clear policies and procedures effectively support the care of children who become ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy food. The childminder offers the children a well balanced diet of home made food. She has a good understanding of the importance of healthy eating and feeds children in accordance with their dietary requirements. Children are offered a bowl of mixed fruit for their midmorning snack, although opportunities for them to learn to make independent healthy choices are limited as the fruit is served to them. The children can access a drink of squash from their own beaker at any time during the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered good opportunities where they can enjoy fresh air and exercise. They take daily walks to the local school and toddler groups and they make regular use of the childminder's garden throughout the year. They are learning to develop and strengthen their muscles as they climb over and through the 'caterpillar' and as they pedal and steer bikes, although the space in which to practise these skills is limited during the winter months as the grass is out of bounds.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children feel safe in the comfort of the childminders home. The childminder has created a warm, welcoming environment for the children who clearly feel at ease in her care. The home is clean and bright and children are free to access a range of age appropriate well maintained toys and resources which are stored in open boxes in the lounge.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from potential hazards as the childminder conducts regular risk assessments on her home and uses safety equipment appropriately. For example, the safety gate ensures that children only have access to the kitchen if they are appropriately supervised. Socket covers, a fire blanket and smoke detectors further enhance their safety. The childminder holds a current first aid qualification and knows how to respond in the event of an accident. Accident records are well maintained, parents' signatures are obtained and they are given a copy for their own records.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are effectively safeguarded from abuse as the childminder has clear policies and procedures in place. The parents are informed of the childminder's duty to protect children and she has recently attended training to ensure that she knows how to take appropriate action if she becomes concerned.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have fun as they learn. The childminder makes good use of the Birth to three matters framework to plan a stimulating range of age appropriate learning opportunities. The daily routines offer the children a wide variety of interesting activities while incorporating their familiar domestic routines.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy their time spent with the childminder. She makes a good play partner for them, extending their learning by joining in with their play, asking them questions and taking a real interest in what they have to say. As they play in the garden she helps them to develop physical skills such as kicking a ball and jumping through hoops. Children are confident individuals who are able to communicate their needs to the childminder through gesture or verbal expression. She responds appropriately by helping them to extend their vocabulary by offering the correct word to accompany the gesture. Children delight in opportunities to recall past events as they watch a series of rotating photographs that the childminder displays on the television screen. Excitedly they call out the names of their siblings as the photographs depict images of themselves and other children playing in the garden or enjoying a recent visit to 'Topsy Turvey

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

World'. Children listen attentively to stories as they sit together with the childminder to read a book. The childminder plans weekly trips to the library to further enhance their interest in books and stories. Children are learning to develop creative skills such making music as they play instruments while marching round the room. Children are learning to make sense of their world as they play with small world figures and cars. However, there are less frequent opportunities for them to engage in meaningful role play. Children enjoy several weekly outings to different toddler groups, where they engage in a range of activities including painting, outdoor play and socialising with other children. They are especially proud of the 'Mother's Day', cards that they have made.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the positive relationship that the childminder shares with them. As a result they are confident and secure because she knows them well and is consequently meeting their individual needs appropriately. The children's security is strengthened as they can easily access their own personal processions such as a favourite toy or a comforter. Children are developing a good sense of personal identity as they enjoy looking at home made books that depict images of their own family and their local and wider community. They are learning to appreciate cultures other than their own as the childminder has increased resources which positively reflect social diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved. They have a close relationship with their peers and show real concern for one and other. For example, a child spontaneously fetches a tissue for another child. They are beginning the learn to share as the childminder supports them to take turns in using the musical instruments. The childminder praises and commends children good behaviour, consequently they demonstrate high levels of self esteem as they applaud themselves for successfully kicking the football.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's care is enhanced by the effective partnerships that the childminder has created with the parent's. The gradual settling period serves as a positive starting point and sets in place a good system for communication. A daily diary also advises parents of how their children have spent their day, and a notice board allows them easy access to regulatory information. Many

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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 parents have written letters to demonstrate how satisfied they are with the service that they receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder is extremely well organised. Children's care is greatly enhanced because daily routines flow smoothly and because she has created a child centred environment within the comforts of a family home. The childminder collates very detailed information which effectively supports her in meeting the children needs very well. Policies and procedures are very detailed and effectively support existing good practice. Record keeping is thorough, and often exceeds the requirements. She regularly reviews and updates her documentation to ensure that it remains accurate. All documentation is easily accessible and methodically collated under the outcomes for children.

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Organisation

The childminder is extremely committed to her role and makes every effort to keep her knowledge up to date. She regularly attends a wide variety of local authority training and is a member of the local childminding network. She also acts a mentor to other newly registered childminders. As a result her knowledge and understanding of her responsibility as a childminder is excellent.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to update her child protection procedures, record all accidents and make sure that children have access to resources which reflect positive images of disability.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children now benefit from improvements to resources which include pictures, books and small world figures that positively portray images of disability. The child protection procedure has been appropriately updated and all accidents are recorded.

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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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Complaints 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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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): • consider extending opportunities that encourage children to learn to make healthy choices • continue to enhance existing opportunities for children to engage in meaningful role play.

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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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