St Anthony's Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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104374 Unique Reference Number 04 December 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 1989. She lives with her husband and one adult child in Ivybridge. There are shops, open spaces, a school and library nearby. All parts of the house are used for minding, including the large secure garden to the rear of the house.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight, as well as provide overnight care for one child. There are currently 13 children on roll, who attend on a part time basis. The family have two cats.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a clean and hygienic home where they learn about good hygiene practices when they wash their hands after using the toilet, before they eat their lunch or independently use wet wipes to clean their faces after lunch. The risks of cross infection are minimised as children have their own individual towels and parents and carers are informed about the policy regarding sick children; very hygienic nappy changing routines are used. The

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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 childminder also has clear regard to environmental health guidance regarding the storage and preparation of food. Children are further protected as documentation including clear accident and medication consent and administration records are maintained, however parents and carers are not fully informed as they do not countersign all the records regarding medicine administration.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about healthy eating as the childminder provides a variety of fruit snacks, and children are well hydrated as water drinking is promoted. She encourages children to enjoy their packed lunch as she presents it well and she discusses appropriate packed lunches with children's parents. Children have good opportunities for exercise and outdoor play in the well organised garden, when they go out for regular walks and outings or climb and play in a soft play centre.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home is comfortable, safe and welcoming and the childminder takes appropriate steps to ensure children are safe in her home or when on outings. There is a wide range of toys and resources which are safely stored and very well organised, but easily accessible to children in the play room. Sleeping children are carefully monitored as baby monitors are used and young babies are also very regularly checked or may sleep downstairs. Children are always carefully supervised, for example a closed circuit television system is set up in the playroom so children can be seen and heard if the childminder has to go into the kitchen. Children are well protected from the hazards of fire as the fire evacuation plan is practised, and the smoke detectors and fire blanket appropriately installed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are suitably protected from harm as the childminder has a very clear understanding of her responsibility to protect all children in her care. She is well aware of the appropriate procedures and the importance of seeking professional advice regarding any concerns. However she has not developed her knowledge of the current procedures regarding the Local Safeguarding Children's Board, and does not have the current leaflet 'What to Do if You Are Worried a Child is Being Abused'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy and very well settled. They are content and confident in the childminder's care and she creates a warm, relaxed and friendly environment where children very clearly feel at home; children's music plays in the background and there is lots of fun and laughter. Children enjoy a variety of interesting play and activities according to their individual needs and interests. The childminder enthusiastically joins in with their play, chatting with them about what they are doing, discussing size, shape and colours or the speed of the balls going down the ball race. She plays with the children with warm good humour, but also has the sensitivity to give them space to play independently if they choose. Opportunities are taken to extend children's learning, for example counting the dolls legs as they play, then counting the dolls fingers together and encouraging the children to compare with their own. The

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder has flexible plans in mind for daily activities and outings, which can be easily interchanged according to the needs and wishes of the children. Suitable toys according to children's interests are set out before children arrive, which help children to feel welcome and quickly settle and enjoy their play.

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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 playroom looks bright and stimulating and is invitingly set up with a wide range of good quality toys and resources. Many are made of wood, which are easily accessible in well organised, labelled boxes or on shelves. This encourages children to make choices whilst they play and extends their enjoyment and imagination. A child plays with a doll, carefully and patiently dressing it in pyjamas, before gently putting it in a cot and covering it with a blanket. She then reaches for a book from the low bookshelf and says she is going to read a story before the baby goes to sleep. Children also enjoy a wide range of creative play, and enjoy crayoning and painting, or chalking and playing with sand and water outside. Children enthusiastically make play dough, all helping to measure the water in the jug and check the weight of the flour on

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the scales. They watch it cooking and there is plenty of discussion about how the flour looks when the colour is added, and what the mixture feels like. Children have excellent opportunities to enjoy the outside world as well as new experiences when they visit the zoo or a local garden centre to look at the animals or say hello to Santa. They have beneficial opportunities to socialise with other childminders and their children at parent and toddler or childminders groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's individual needs and stages of development are carefully considered by the childminder, who values and readily acknowledges their achievements. Children's confidence is skilfully promoted as all children are involved in helping and are all given appropriate choices; their self esteem is promoted when children see their art work displayed. Children have excellent opportunities to learn about the wider world when they play with puzzles, cards or ethnic play people and their understanding of diversity is promoted by discussion or looking at books. All children are welcomed and included, and the childminder has considerable experience of caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities; her home is suitably accessible for all. Children are very well behaved, they happily take turns whilst they play and play harmoniously together, older children willingly help the younger, and they readily say please and thank you.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are praised when they have done well and positive strategies such as smiley charts and tick systems are used in conjunction with parents and carers to support and encourage appropriate behaviour and continuity of approach.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder communicates most effectively with children's parents and carers, and this ensures they are included and involved in the care provided for their children. There is a friendly and very detailed prospectus, which is available on the childminder's website or given to parents and carers who do not have internet access. The prospectus contains information about the childminder's behaviour, sickness and child protection policies which ensures they are fully aware of the procedures in place to support the welfare of their children. Documentation including contracts, consents for emergency medical treatment, transport and information forms for children is all very carefully maintained and ensures that children are cared for according to their parents and carers wishes. The childminder shares information at the end of the day and in addition parents and carers all have the option to choose a daily diary record of

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is very well organised and good use is made of various areas in the house, as well as the very well equipped playroom. This ensures that children have a varied and interesting day, with space to move around, particularly if the weather is unsuitable for outdoor play. The

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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 garden is safely enclosed and well designed and provides an interesting play area for children. Documentation is very carefully maintained in separate confidential files, and this further supports the welfare of the children. The childminder's registration and insurance certificates as well as the Ofsted information poster are displayed, and this ensures parents and carers are suitably informed regarding her arrangements.

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Organisation

The childminder has a very enthusiastic and positive approach to training and evaluating her practice, including completing her self evaluation form. She has completed NVQ3 in Childcare and Education, and has also attended a wide variety of training courses, including Every Child Matters, Birth to three framework and activities for children under two, equal opportunities, The Great Outdoors and the Early Years Foundation Stage briefing in the past two years. She is considering starting an Early Years Foundation Degree next year. She is also a member of the local childminder network. This enthusiastic approach ensures that she keeps up to date with new developments, and significantly enhances the care provided for children. 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 previous inspection the childminder was asked to improve her child protection procedure. Her procedure has now been amended and this has resulted in an improvement in the care and welfare of children.

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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. 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): • improve medication administration records • further develop knowledge of current child protection procedures.

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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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