St Chad's Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 114263 Inspection date 06 September 2005 Inspector Joanne Lindsey Caswell

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1999. She lives with her husband and teenage children in Ifield, Crawley, West Sussex. Children have access to a lounge area and conservatory on the ground floor. Toilet and sleep facilities are situated on the first floor. A fully enclosed garden is available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years at any one time. She is currently caring for four children, who attend on both a full time and part time basis. Overnight care is included for two children.

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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 The childminder is willing to collect from nearby schools and attends the local pre-school groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely well-protected from illness and infection, as the childminder maintains a scrupulously clean and healthy environment. She ensures that nappies are disposed of hygienically and that the changing mat and children's toys are thoroughly cleaned and sterilised to prevent cross-infection. The daily routine is carefully planned to ensure children have ample time to play in the fresh air and undertake regular exercise. Children play in the garden and frequently visit the park, enabling them to run about and move around freely. They develop balance and co-ordination as they play on the trampoline. Children regularly visit local activity centres to enable them to climb and use a range of physical play resources. This enables children to undertake frequent and robust exercise to enhance their physical well-being. Babies and younger children have planned times for sleep and naps, to ensure they

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Helping children to be healthy

have plentiful rest to promote their healthy growth and development. Children staying overnight have regular opportunities for cleaning their teeth, bathing and showering, to ensure their personal hygiene needs are met appropriately. Children have their own freshly-laundered bedding and use their own towels and flannels to prevent cross-infection. Children's dietary needs are extremely well catered for. They have frequent drinks and eat healthy snacks, such as fresh fruit. Children access drinking water freely, enabling older children to respond to their body's needs when they recognise they are thirsty. Mealtimes are regarded as extremely sociable occasions and children enjoy a healthy range of home-cooked, nutritious meals. Babies and younger children sit at the table with older children and adults, to enable them to develop good habits in using table manners and developing positive attitudes towards healthy

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from an extremely well-designed, totally child-orientated environment in which they can be fully supervised at all times. Children's safety and security is given optimum priority. Children play in rooms which have been fully scrutinised for any potential dangers and a comprehensive risk assessment is undertaken to identify any hazards. Children learn how to keep themselves safe as the childminder explains potential dangers to them. For example, young children learn they must not run around inside

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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 and they must sit down when they are eating. Older children clearly understand about being careful near babies and toddlers and do not allow them to access toys with small pieces. Children play with an extensive range of high quality toys and resources, all of which are checked regularly to ensure they are safe for children to use. Sleeping children are monitored closely to ensure their safety and welfare at all times. Children are very well protected in the event of an emergency. The childminder practises emergency evacuation procedures with the children and has identified designated places of safety to ensure children's security and welfare. There are excellent systems in place for the safe arrival and departure of children. The premises are fully secure and children are unable to leave unsupervised. The

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder informs parents that children can only be collected by authorised personnel and a secure password system is in place to protect and safeguard children. The childminder has a comprehensive knowledge of child protection issues and fully understands the procedures to follow if she is concerned about a child. This promotes and safeguards children’s welfare within the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children have extensive opportunities to participate in a stimulating, fun and diverse range of play opportunities. They undertake numerous outings to the farm, park, toddler group and soft play centre, which broaden their experiences and enable them to socialise with other children. The childminder provides an extremely fun, relaxed and vibrant atmosphere, enabling children to enjoy themselves, make new friends and feel settled and secure. Children engage in many purposeful activities, enabling them to be highly stimulated and confident in the childminder's care. Children enjoy activities which are suitably planned to cater for their different developmental milestones. They enjoy challenges and develop confidence to try new things and gain new skills, as the childminder allows them to explore and experiment and develop interest and curiosity. Children form very strong relationships with the childminder and enjoy close

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

interaction. They engage in conversation with the childminder to extend their language and communication skills. Babies successfully make their needs understood through gestures and sounds, which the childminder responds positively to, demonstrating a clear understanding of their differing needs. Children enjoy close and loving relationships with the childminder. She engages in play with them and enjoys their company. Children sit cosily to look at books and benefit from the childminder's close attention. Young children develop their language skills as they delight in making animal sounds as they look at picture books and repeat words. They sing rhymes together and laugh and play enthusiastically together, creating a very warm and loving atmosphere.

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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 develop high levels of confidence and self-esteem. They feel listened to and clearly understand that their needs will be recognised. They feel valued as members of the childminder's family, enabling them to be extremely relaxed, happy and secure in the childminder's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children learn about diversity within the wider world, as they play with an exceptional range of resources which reflect society. They consistently see positive images of gender, disability and cultural diversity, enabling them to develop positive attitudes towards equality. Children with special needs are fully welcomed into the childminder's home. She is totally dedicated to adapting her care routines and the home environment, wherever necessary, to ensure she can meet all children's individual needs. Children's behaviour is exemplary. They clearly understand acceptable boundaries and younger children quickly recognise right from wrong. The childminder uses effective and consistent strategies to enable children to fully understand her expectations and the acceptable boundaries. Children are treated with total respect and courtesy. As a result, children co-operate extremely well with one another and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

show total care and respect for their peers and play materials. Children's individual needs are valued and fully acknowledged and their care routines are discussed and agreed with parents. This ensures that children follow consistent routines, both at home and at the childminder's house, to enable them to feel settled and secure. This is particularly evident for children staying overnight. The childminder ensures that she fully understands each child's individual bedtime routine, including sleep patterns and personal preferences, to ensure each child feels settled and secure in her care. The childminder ensures parents are made fully aware of each child's daily achievements and care routines. This enables children to talk about and share their day with parents and promote partnership between the childminder and parents. Comprehensive written information regarding the childminding service is maintained

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and parents are made fully aware of all aspects of care. The childminder is totally dedicated to supporting parents in the care and development of their children and is committed to working in close partnership with them. She values parental feedback and demonstrates a very proactive approach to ensuring high quality care at all times.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit from the exceptionally well-organised, professional childminding service. The childminder is extremely aware of her role and responsibilities as a

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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 childminder and is keen to develop her knowledge and skills through the completion of extensive further training. Children are protected at all times as the childminder ensures that all adults living in her home, have been fully vetted. The childminder has an excellent understanding of the national standards. This ensures that children receive the highest levels of care and the conditions of her registration are adhered to at all times. Children's toys and play materials are organised exceptionally well. This enables children to access them easily and safely and enhances their opportunities to develop independence. The daily routine is planned meticulously to cater for all children's differing needs. Each day is flexible and includes ample time for school runs, toddler groups, outings and visits, mealtimes and children's sleep routines.

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Organisation

Comprehensive documentation is maintained and is kept up-to-date. Highly effective storage arrangements enable children's details to be stored confidentially and securely. The childminder is dynamic and forward thinking in her approach to caring for children. She aims to fully support both children and their families and is dedicated and motivated to undertake further training to enhance her knowledge and skills. As a result of this, children thrive in her extremely well-organised and relaxed childminding home. 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 Children Act inspection, two recommendations were raised. These were associated with ensuring parents were made aware of child protection procedures and obtaining parental consent for the administration of medication. To address these issues, the childminder now ensures that all parents are fully aware of her responsibilities regarding child protection and the associated procedures. Also, all parents are now requested to provide written consent for the administration of medication. This ensures that parents are fully aware of all necessary procedures and formally agree to routine policies and procedures. As a result, the partnership between parents and the childminder is strengthened and children are cared for in accordance with parents' wishes.

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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

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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 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

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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