St Chad's Catholic Primary School, Witton Park

Inspection report for early years provision

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148281 Unique Reference Number 04 February 2008 Inspection date Joanne Graham 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 registered in 1993. She lives with her husband and two older children in Woodley, Berkshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with bathroom and sleeping facilities upstairs. 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding five children, one on a full time basis and four on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a rabbit.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a hygienic environment and accessing clean toys. The childminder promotes good hygiene procedures well. For example, she sensitively reminds the children to cover their mouths when coughing and to use tissues. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and the first aid box is easily accessible. This means she can give appropriate care if there is an accident. She records accidents well maintaining confidentiality

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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 and obtaining parental signatures. Children, who are infectious from illnesses, do not attend the setting to prevent the spread of contagious ailments. The childminder verbally informs parents of this prior to the children commencing. Children rest and sleep according to their needs and routine.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder discusses children’s dietary needs and requirements with parents prior to the child starting and ensures she stores food provided safely. The childminder provides snacks and lunch for some children, which are healthy. Children consume their food according to their routine and needs and they can access their drinks at all times. Children regularly enjoy a range of activities that contribute to their health and develop their physical skills. They walk to the nursery and school, enjoy dancing to music indoors and visiting the local parks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in an environment with suitable facilities and where the childminder assesses and minimises most potential risks. However, some dangerous fluids are accessible to children in the bathroom when they use the facilities unsupervised. Children are safeguarded from good safety measures, such as smoke alarms on both levels and socket covers. Children have easy and safe access to a range of toys and resources appropriate for their age and stage of development. The childminder ensures these do not contain any choke hazards or broken pieces, promoting the children’s safety. Children have sufficient space to move and play safely and house rules help the children develop an understanding keeping out of harm's way. For example, not jumping on the furniture and these are sensitively reinforced.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good knowledge of procedures of child protection to promote children's welfare and literature is available to support this understanding. She has a good awareness of how to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary and is aware of signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. All members in the household hold sufficient checks and the childminder never leaves persons not vetted alone with the children. This maintains their welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, comfortable and settled in the childminder's care. The childminder welcomes children into her home and they build up strong relationships with her and her family. Children choose their favourite toys and activities, developing their independence. They persist at activities and tasks well, reinforcing existing skills and achieving new ones. Children respond positively to the childminder’s questions, which help to make them think and extend their learning. They involve her in their play and she interacts well with them. For example, naming the colours as they draw and talking about their picture. The childminder is sensitive and considerate towards the children’s needs and children confidently approach her for cuddles and comfort. This contributes to them feeling secure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are becoming confident to make some decisions, explore and investigate within their environment and have sufficient time to complete self-chosen tasks. For example, making sounds from the musical toy and fixing the boot house together. Children develop confidence and self assurance due to the childminder’s positive interaction and praise.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with equal concerned and their routines are respected. This helps them feel valued and increases their feelings of belonging. The childminder provides resources and outings to introduce children to the local community and the wider world. This helps to foster a positive attitude to diversity. Children feel good about themselves and are developing an understanding of showing respect for others. Children behave well and benefit from consistent praise and encouragement. They learn important social skills such as saying please and thank you and sitting down to eat. The childminder is consistent with managing behaviour and children are aware of her high expectations and the boundaries.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works with the parents to ensure she follows the children’s routines. She exchanges information about their child’s day and achievements through verbal discussions. This encourages a good two-way flow of information and promotes continuity of care. The childminder has an understanding of the complaints regulation and has systems in place to record parental complaints. However, details of the regulator are not easily accessible to parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder attends training to update her knowledge of childcare frameworks. Good organisation ensures children have sufficient time to eat, sleep and complete their chosen tasks. The childminder maintains ratios at all times and keeps minded numbers low. Verbal policies and procedures guide the childminder in her daily practice. This ensures she maintains children's wellbeing. The childminder is aware of her role and duty and she has regard for children’s welfare. All mandatory documentation is in place and contains sufficient detail. Sensitive information is stored safely and confidentially. Children’s expected attendance hours are recorded on the contracts but this does not reflect their actual times of arrival and departure.

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Organisation

The childminder displays her certificate of registration prominently during operational hours. 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 had a recommendation to obtain written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. She ensures she obtains this prior to children attending and this promotes children's wellbeing.

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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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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): • make sure dangerous substances are not accessible to the children in the bathroom • make details of the regulator easily available to parents • ensure children's arrival and departure times are accurately recorded to reflect their attendance.

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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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