St Columba's Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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148258 Unique Reference Number 18 December 2007 Inspection date Carol Patricia Willett 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 1991. She lives with her husband and two sons of 18 and 13 years in a detached house in Wokingham Berkshire. The house is situated close to local shops and parks. The ground floor only is used for minding with a dedicated playroom. The children have access to a large secure rear garden. The childminder currently collects children from local schools and preschools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years. There are currently seven children attending of which four are under five years. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and has completed the childminding registration course. She has a childcare level three qualification in Early Years and Education. She has attended a variety of short courses.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has a highly effective approach to health and hygiene which ensures children thrive and develop a good awareness of healthy living. Children learn about the importance of

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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 being healthy through robust daily routines and the childminder's skilful support and guidance. For example, they know they need to wash their hands before food and after using the toilet, using individual marked towels to dry their hands. They eagerly rush to the bathroom before their snack to see who is first. A poster is displayed to gently remind children about hand washing procedures. The childminder reduces the risk of cross infection as she has extremely good hygiene procedures in place which ensures that her home is always clean and well maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has an excellent understanding of healthy eating so children eat a varied selection of healthy, nutritious meals and snacks, such as home made pork burgers with rice and sweetcorn. Children choose from raisins, bananas and oranges for their snack and the childminder gives them breadsticks when they are still hungry. Meals and snack times are social occasions where children talk to the childminder, discussing their families and things they like. The childminder ensures children have regular access to drinks throughout the day, encouraging them to drink to maintain their health. Children help the childminder as she prepares their snacks, getting out the bowls and plates from the table drawer, choosing which colour they want. The childminder meets children's dietary needs well as she keeps comprehensive, well-organised records and shares daily information with parents about their children's individual

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Helping children to be healthy

needs. Thorough procedures and documents are in place to ensure that children's individual needs are very well met. The childminder ensure parents are kept informed through well documented accident and medication records. She keeps her first aid certificate up to date which ensures appropriate treatment is given. All parents' signatures and consents have been obtained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their physical skills, enjoy fresh air and good health as they have excellent opportunities to experience a wide range of activities. These include garden play, visits to the local park, physical play activity centres, and country parks, such as the Look Out. They enjoy dancing and singing to children's music and songs. The childminder carefully supports and supervises their outdoor play to ensure the children are safe. Children experience a wide range of planned craft activities and use a wide range of tools and resources including construction toys, jigsaws, painting and drawing to develop their manipulative skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has organised the environment exceptionally well so children can explore and develop safely with ample space to meet their needs. Children play in an extremely welcoming environment which is comfortable and well maintained. The childminder displays photographs of the children and examples of their art work and posters which makes the playroom very child friendly and develops children's sense of belonging. The children wander freely between the dedicated playroom and the hall using the toys and different areas to develop their play such as when role playing at the hospital. Toys and resources are stimulating, interesting and suitable to the children's age and stage of development so the children spend their time purposefully as they happily play and explore.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are carefully supervised throughout the day as the childminder is exceptionally safety conscious and attentive. Children stay safe as the childminder takes very good steps to minimise hazards. She completes risk assessments and checks the home and garden before children arrive to ensure their safety. Children develop knowledge of their own safety as the childminder talks about road safety and using the toys and equipment safely. For example, the childminder encourages children to help her pack away some of the toys so they do not trip over them. The

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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 childminder has exceptionally good procedures in place when taking the children out in the car to ensure their safety in an emergency. She carries a card with the contact details of her emergency backup childminder who holds contact details for all the children in her care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder maintains a comprehensive range of documentation and is proactive in developing her own knowledge so children's welfare is safeguarded. For example, the childminder has completed further training in child protection so she has a good knowledge of child protection procedures and is aware of her role and responsibility. Accident and incident records are completed appropriately. She has appropriate insurance cover in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children make excellent progress in their development as the childminder has a very caring manner and has a positive and enthusiastic approach to childcare. They form close and caring relationships with the childminder which increases their sense of trust and helps them develop a strong sense of self. They are extremely confident and secure in her home as the childminder finds out about children's routines, needs and interests before they attend. The children develop a good sense of belonging and become increasingly independent as they receive lots of cuddles and meaningful praise form the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are extremely happy and secure as they play in the well-organised environment where they make good progress in all areas. The childminder is well organised and has excellent interactive skills. Children benefit as she plans and provides a broad range of enjoyable activities and experiences to keep the children happy which are linked to themes. They join in with enthusiasm and interest, for example, the children like listening to stories and doing art and craft activities linked to Christmas. The childminder uses every opportunity to develop children's imagination, language and understanding and extend their home life experiences. For example, they talk about trips to the doctors with children developing their own role play taking on roles of the doctor and patient. The childminder extends their vocabulary as she names parts of the body that are injured as she points to her ankle and the children bandage it. She has excellent

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

teaching strategies with lots of conversation to develop children's skills, thinking and learning. Early communication skills are well supported during play such as when children name and talk about the pictures on the jigsaws and in books as they sit and cuddle up for a story. The children develop mathematical skills as they count and calculate through daily experiences such as when they get out plates and cups at snack time.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are good opportunities to extend learning and initiate play as the children freely access a range of toys and activities and explore the environment. They show high levels of independence as they prepare for and choose their snacks and select toys that interest them such as the jigsaw puzzles and cars. The childminder provides exciting opportunities for children outside her home. They take part in an excellent range of outings that extends their learning, develops social skills and stimulates their interest in the wider world. They visit local parks, garden centres and library and go on outings to places such as the Look Out country park, museums and farms and the local fire station.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children develop extremely close relationships with the childminder enjoying plenty of cuddles and positive reinforcement which enables them to be happy, confident and settled. The

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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 childminder develops an excellent knowledge of children's individual needs and personalities through her observations and the regular exchange of information with parents. Children are very confident and at home as the childminder uses positive language, gives meaningful praise and values their achievements. Consequently, the children are learning to behave well. The childminder uses excellent age-appropriate strategies to promote positive behaviour. She acts as a good role model using 'please' and 'thank-you' when talking to the children. She encourages sharing and good manners and sensitively supports them when they find it difficult to do what is required, for example, to share the toys and equipment. The children are learning how to care about each other and their surroundings through daily routines as they help to lay the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

table and pack away the toys when there are too many out.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates a very good awareness of equal opportunities. All the children have free access to the range of toys and activities as the childminder gives support according to their stage of development. She carefully guides children supporting them to their level of ability. This helps them to be successful when using craft materials and completing jigsaws, for example, and develops their self esteem and confidence. Children have good opportunities to become aware of the wider world as the childminder has a range of equipment such as play figures, dolls and books to provide positive images and support their awareness of diversity. The childminder provides good opportunities which enable children to develop respect and learn about differences and their local community and the wider world. They meet with other adults and children at toddler groups and visit places such as soft-play centres and outings

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Helping children make a positive contribution

with the local childminding groups to the fire station and local activity centres, for example.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder forms excellent partnerships with parents which contribute significantly to the children's care and well-being as it ensures children's needs are well known and effectively met. She works closely with them to follow their home routines and to provide consistency when dealing with specific issues relating to the children. The childminder provides detailed information about the service that she provides including her clear, well written policies, daily routines and family details. Parents are extremely well informed of their child's achievements and daily care through excellent written progress reports, daily diaries and informal daily discussion. A regular newsletter keeps parents up to date with the details of the childminder's care, activity planning and current issues. These measures ensure that children's care, well-being and development is greatly enhanced.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children receive outstanding care as the childminder has an extremely good knowledge of the National Standards for childminding. The childminder is very experienced and has a warm, caring, attentive manner. Children feel secure because she provides consistent routines and effective support and she closely supervises the children both in and outside the home. Children benefit from the childminder's enthusiastic commitment as she is highly motivated and attends regular training opportunities including Early Years Foundation Stage training, food hygiene and training to support children with additional learning and development needs. She is part of an active childminding group who discuss current issues. This increases the childminder's knowledge and skills and contributes to the high quality of care.

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Organisation

The childminder organises the environment, resources and documentation extremely well to enable children's needs to be effectively met. The areas used for play are well-maintained, safe, welcoming and child friendly which allows children to feel comfortable and secure in her home. Children are able to play safely and select resources freely which develops their confidence and

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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 independence skills. The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn so they receive exceptional support and make good progress in all areas of development.

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Organisation

The childminder maintains a comprehensive range of documentation which is exceptionally well organised and is used effectively to underpin her practice. She develops excellent relationships with parents and uses a variety of means to keep them informed of their children's development and progress and to make sure the children's needs are well known. This ensures she is able to effectively promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. Overall, 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 childminder was required to improve her fire evacuation procedures. The childminder has taken positive steps to improve as she regularly practises evacuation and keeps a record of the details identifying any issues that arose. This ensures children's welfare is promoted as they develop confidence in an emergency.

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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. 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

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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