St Anthony's Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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104103 Unique Reference Number 03 October 2007 Inspection date Juliet Eileen Hartridge 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 has been registered since 1999. She lives with her child on the outskirts of Exeter, within walking distance of schools and other local facilities. Childminding mainly takes place in the lounge and kitchen, children may sleep or occasionally play upstairs and there is an enclosed garden suitable for children's use. The childminder is registered to provide care for five children under eight and is a member of a local childminding network. She is currently caring for a total of eight children on a part time basis. Overnight care is not provided.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's good health is most successfully promoted because of the childminder's responsible approach towards promoting healthy lifestyles. The risks of cross infection are minimised as children are very aware through discussion and reminders, of the importance of washing their hands after using the toilet and before eating. All children have their own individual towels and parents and carers are aware that the childminder cannot care for sick children. Children's health and welfare is also very well supported due to the clearly recorded range of documentation

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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 in place. Accident and medication records are recorded in detail and signed by parents and carers, and children can be treated promptly in event of an accident as the childminder ensures she has a current first aid qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have excellent opportunities to learn about the benefits of healthy eating, which is very well promoted by the childminder. Healthy snacks of fresh seasonal fruit and raw vegetables are always available, and Five a Day is promoted through regular discussions and activities, including older children doing activities, such as a food diary. Children's interest in healthy eating and the origins of food is further encouraged through cooking activities, as well as excellent opportunities to plant, grow and harvest fruits, such as tomatoes and strawberries, in the garden. Information about healthy eating is helpfully displayed on the fridge, and the childminder discusses healthy packed lunches with children's parents and carers. Children's health is further promoted due to the childminder's knowledge of food safety and hygiene, as she has recently completed Safer Food Training, and packed lunches are always refrigerated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have excellent opportunities to enjoy the benefits of exercise and physical play in the fresh air. Daily walks and visits to nearby parks are planned, and after school children are taken to run and play in the park before coming home to play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a safe and secure environment, where the childminder minimises risks. Hazardous materials are safely secured and safety equipment including stair gates are available when required. Children are well protected from the risks of fire as there are linked smoke detectors on each level, and the fire evacuation plan has been carefully practised with the children and evaluated and recorded. Children are safely transported and cared for outside the home, and the childminder has appropriate car and public liability insurance. Discussions regularly take place with the children regarding safety, particularly on the walk home from school, including the importance of crossing the road safely, or taking care when feeding the ducks, and they are encouraged to play safely indoors. The home is welcoming for children. Toys and resources are clean and well maintained and are set out for children to select according

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to their interests; they are regularly rotated with more toys stored upstairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is well promoted due to the childminder's clear understanding of her responsibility to protect children in her care, as well as her sound knowledge of appropriate child protection procedures. However, she has not developed her knowledge of the Safeguarding Children Board Guidance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and confidently greet and show a lively interest in visitors. The children are helped to feel secure and settled due to the warm and calm approach of the childminder, who chats and laughs with the children and encourages their enjoyment of play. Children enjoy a varied day with a well balanced range of creative, imaginative and physical play. New children are encouraged to settle as the childminder carefully considers their interests and needs, to ensure activities which they enjoy and will promote their development are readily available. Children enthusiastically enjoy den making, playing co-operatively in their dens and using their imaginations as they serve play food or snuggle up with soft toys. An accessible book basket ensures that children are able to select and readily enjoy books and stories. A wide range of

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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 craft, painting and creative materials are accessibly stored and are particularly popular with children playing after school. A computer is available for children doing their homework.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Although the childminder does not make formal plans for the day, she ensures children have an interesting day, for example, by planning enjoyable and regular outings to local attractions. These include exciting train trips to a seaside resort or good opportunities to socialise with other children at a drop in group. The needs of younger children are well met as the childminder has a good knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework, and how she can provide interesting activities to promote their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's development and self esteem is well promoted as the childminder has a good understanding of the individual needs, interests and stages of development of children in her care. Children are well behaved and the childminder successfully encourages sharing, taking turns and co-operative play by playing games including picture lotto or fishing with them. They are readily praised when they have done well, and their art work is displayed in the kitchen for everyone to admire. Children are encouraged to feel involved and included as they are encouraged to choose what they want to play with, and strategies, such as the use of a clock, promote children's understanding of their routine and what will happen next. Children who have learning difficulties or disabilities are very well supported and their needs are carefully considered. Children learn about diversity when they play with multi-cultural resources, or learn

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Helping children make a positive contribution

about the wider community when they look at books.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder communicates very well with parents and carers and this ensures that they are involved in the care of their children. This includes drawing up agreements, as well as seeking further information regarding their expectations regarding the needs and care of their children. Information is readily shared at the end of the day. Children's welfare is further promoted as the childminder seeks parental consent regarding emergency medical treatment, and photography, and a complaints log has been set up.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder makes good use of the available space indoors and outdoors and this ensures children are well occupied, well cared for and appropriately supervised at all times. Children's welfare is further supported due to the childminder's methodical approach to documentation, including registers, and records of information about the children. Parents and carers are kept informed as the registration and first aid certificates, as well as other useful information are displayed in the hallway.

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Organisation

The childminder is experienced and positive and holds a level 3 qualification, she has a most conscientious and enthusiastic approach to training, having completed at least eight training courses in the last two years. She also regularly conducts a detailed recorded self evaluation of her child care provision, which further enhances the quality of care provided for the children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that parents and carers sign all the relevant documentation. The safety and welfare of children has improved as all accident and medication records are now countersigned by parents and carers.

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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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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): • increase knowledge and understanding of the local Safeguarding Children Board guidance.

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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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