St Joseph's Catholic Primary Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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148482 Unique Reference Number 22 November 2007 Inspection date Aileen Ewins 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 1995. She lives with her husband who is also a registered childminder, and their four children. The youngest of which is nine years old. The family live in a house in Lower Earley near Reading. The property is close to local schools and amenities and there is a park nearby.

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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, or eight children when working with another childminder on the same premises. She currently has 10 children on roll who attend on a part-time basis. Minded children have access to the whole of the property with the exception of the master bedroom and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have two cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is able to take children to and from school. Children go for a variety of trips out together as well as going swimming. Children also visit local parks, toddler groups and the library on a regular basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends the local carer and toddler groups. She holds a valid paediatric first aid qualification.

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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 learn about healthy hygiene rules as they are aware to wash their hands after play outside, before meals, after touching the cats and after using the toilet. Children are provided with liquid soap and all have individual hand towels. Children are also kept healthy as they get lots of fresh air and exercise. Younger children are taken for swimming and walk to toddler groups during the week. They also have opportunities to go the local parks. All children take part in various outings such as Dinton Pastures and California Country Park amongst many. Children also play outside in the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

Babies are cared for well as the childminder carries out good practice with nappy changes and encourages children when potty training. Sleeping children are provided with a travel cot unless their preference is to sleep in the pushchair or car seat whilst out and about.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder's family have a cat and small kitten. The childminder is aware to keep surfaces clean with antibacterial spray should the cats go on worktops. The cats are kept clean and healthy and do not go outside.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's care is further advanced as the childminder documents any accidents and medication well. She explains to parents why this is necessary and parents are aware to sign to acknowledge medication or accidents. Parent's are also aware of the sickness policy. Minded children are not cared for in times of sickness or contagious diseases. The childminder ensures parents of young children are aware of their child's eating, sleeping and nappy changes. The childminder has completed paediatric first aid training and holds a fully stocked first aid box which also contains emergency contacts for each child.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eat healthily during their time with the childminder. Children bring packed lunches with them but are provided with a cooked meal in the evening. Children acquire lots of new tastes and pick out vegetables from a huge list that they would like to try. Children's dietary needs and any allergies are catered for. Children are given a wide range of meals and the childminder keeps her menu plans on file for parent's to view. Meals include haddock, lasagne, spaghetti bolognaise, fish pie for example; followed by chocolate mousse, yogurts and jelly for instance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children use the whole of the downstairs of the childminder's home, which includes a lounge, kitchen, dining room, conservatory, downstairs toilet/utility. Children can go upstairs but tend to play downstairs at most times. Children also have access to the secure garden. The childminder's home is welcoming, clean and child led. Equipment and resources are kept clean and safe for children and are checked regularly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe within the home as doors and windows are locked in general but can be opened slightly for ventilation, central heating is thermostatically controlled, socket covers are in place and a stair gate is kept over the bottom of the stairs when young children are being cared for. Chemicals, cleaning materials and sharp objects are stored away in cupboards and drawers containing child proof locks. Children are kept safe in the garden which is surrounded by fencing. A gate is locked as are the shed and garage. Ivy is growing in the garden but 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 is aware to check this to ensure children do not go near it when flowering or to cut the Ivy back. The childminder has an emergency evacuation procedure in place and practises this with children. Her home has five smoke detectors in total as well as a carbon monoxide tester. There is a fire blanket in the kitchen. The childminder checks the smoke detector batteries often.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

When out and about young children are taken in pushchairs whilst older children walk alongside her. Children are made aware of road safety. Children are further kept safe from harm as the childminder ensures children have an understanding of river safety, 'stranger danger', and dogs. Children are taken on outings often. The childminder is aware of the responsibilities this entails and keeps children safe by giving them fluorescent wrist bands which detail her mobile phone number. When out in the car children wear age and size appropriate seats. The childminder's car is insured as legally required and is kept roadworthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has recently updated child protection training and has a safeguarding policy in place. She has secure knowledge to protect the children in her care. Parents are made aware of this policy. The childminder is also aware to document any existing injuries a child may arrive with and has put in place a policy for allegations of abuse against the childminder which ensures she is kept safe from false allegations.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder is highly committed to her role; and has a calm and pleasant manner with the children. Children are happy to approach her; and are settled and confident in her care. Children flourish with the toys and resources available to them, such as Duplo and Lego; dolls and pushchairs; jigsaws, games and books; and dressing up clothes. Children also enjoy the sand pit, play house, sit and ride toys, balls and net, skipping ropes for example outside when playing in the garden. Children enthusiastically create their own enjoyment from playing with upturned boxes and keep themselves occupied together whilst the childminder keeps an eye on them but allows the pretend play to remain child led. Opportunities are made for children to be inspired with art and craft through painting, shape painting, 3D art work, sticking and gluing, craft making, play dough and cooking. A vast range of dressing up clothes are available for the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children from spider man to princess dresses and through to cultural dress.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder keeps photographs of children she cares for, which show how children further use their imagination when playing with dolls and cuddly toys at the pretend veterinary hospital. Children also have photographs to look at showing them all playing together at hospitals, dressing each other up in bandages and caring for the sick whilst dressed up as nurses and doctors. Whilst watching the photographs on the slide show, children delightfully call out as they recall and recognise the places they visited and their friends or siblings, also cared for by the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are taken on many outings by the childminder and her husband. The childminder is dedicated in her care and offers high class childminding. Places children have visited with her are many and include Milestones a Victorian village, Bracknell Forest, The Natural History Museum, Reading Museum, Monkey Mates and McDonalds. Children also have trips out to visit the opticians, the recycling bank and a local care home which helps make them aware of the local community. Children have regular visits to toddler groups and local parks where they often go cone or conker collecting as well as playing on the swings and slides. Outings are made to the library and the younger children are taken swimming.

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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 The childminder is experienced and organised in her care. The children are treated as individuals and the childminder understands their needs well. Children of all ages are encouraged to play together and get on well. Many know each other as they live locally and some are siblings. Children flourish in their times together and also enjoy picnics in the garden, park or conservatory, Chinese meals and helping to decorate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are given insight into positive images of the world around them in particular to culture and disability diversity. The childminder's daughter has particular needs and difficulties and children cared for appreciate these well. Children also learn about other cultures, religion and disability through various books and jigsaws as well as cultural dress outfits and ethnic dolls available to them. The childminder makes good use of the local library and takes out books of interest to the children as well as general reading books. The childminder's husband has spent a lot of time in China this year and so the children have received great insight into this country and its culture. Children have tried Chinese food also and had trips to the local leisure centre to watch others taking part in martial arts classes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are recognised which ensures children feel valued and develop self esteem. The childminder has worked with parents in the past when children's particular needs were recognised. She is aware to keep parent's informed of any concerns she has and to work with parents and professionals from outside agencies to help children develop their full potential. The childminder is also aware of confidentiality especially with sensitive issues.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved whilst in the childminder's care. They hold respect for one another, the childminder, her home and family. Children's good behaviour is affirmed with praise. Inappropriate behaviour is dealt with by helping children to recognise that something is not kind or nice to say or do. Children are encouraged to say sorry and to understand the reasons for this.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The relationship between the childminder and the parents of the children she cares for is good. Parents and children are offered visits and settling in sessions. Parents are made aware of the policies and procedures. The childminder ensures that she speaks to parents at the end of the day to let them know of their child's well-being.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are settled at the childminder's home which is welcoming and child led. Children are confident, happy and have a warm relationship with the childminder who is efficient and committed in her care. The childminder cares for a wide age range of children over various days but ensures she complies with the ratios set.

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Organisation

Accident, incident and medication forms are documented thoroughly. Parents sign to acknowledge these. The childminder has completed paediatric first aid and child protection training. The childminder displays her certificate of registration and parents are made aware of the role of Ofsted. Public liability insurance is also in place. Registers detail the children's attendance and departure times. An emergency evacuation procedure is in place and children have regular fire practises. The childminder also ensures that children are kept safe when out and about in her care on the various trips that she makes with them. Written parental permissions

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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 are in place in respect of emergency medical attention, sun tan lotion, face paints, photographs, travelling in the car and outings for example. The childminder also keeps thorough written documents about the meals that she cooks for children in the evenings.

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Organisation

The childminder's husband is also registered as a childminder and together they have compiled policies and procedures which are written to a high standard and over and above what is currently requested of childminders. The policies are meticulous and cover safeguarding children, allegations against childminder, lost children, sick children, behaviour, equal opportunities and complaints.

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Organisation

The childminder is highly valued by the parents of the children she cares for and has a warm relationship with the children.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was set four recommendations. These have been addressed in the following ways: Develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues by obtaining the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures. The childminder has a safeguarding policy in place along with a policy system which details protecting the childminder against false allegations. The childminder has updated her child protection training and is fully aware to document any concerns she has or any child attending with an existing injury. The childminder keeps a record of all the required safeguarding numbers of her local authority and parents are given copies of the policies. Children are therefore kept safe within her care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Ensure confidentiality is maintained with regard to children's records. The childminder uses a dummy accident/incident form when showing parents how she documents accidents or medication. Children's individual and personal information is therefore kept confidential.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Make sure that poisonous plants in the garden and other potential hazards in the bathroom are inaccessible to the children. The childminder has ensured that there are no sharp hazards kept in the bathroom. Sharp items and cleaning materials are stored in the kitchen or utility area in cupboards with child proof locks. Children are therefore kept safe. The childminder has also checked the garden and taken advice from a local garden centre about the Ivy which grows from her neighbour's garden. She is aware of the procedures to follow to keep children safe when they play outdoors. A further recommendation has been set however to ensure that this good practice continues.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Review and update contracts with parents on a regular basis and further develop written information for parents to ensure they are fully aware of all policies and procedures, including details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint. The childminder provides parents with copies of the policies and procedures for her setting. The Ofsted poster is displayed and parents are aware of the role of Ofsted should they wish to make a complaint.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require 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 complaint 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): • ensure that poisonous plants in the garden remain inaccessible to the children.

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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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