St Mary and St Chad CE (VC) First School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 124237 Inspection date 30 November 2005 Inspector Rebecca Elizabeth Khabbazi

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 satisfactory. 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 1994. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 10 and 13 years old. The family live in a 3 bedroom house in a residential area of Croydon. The downstairs of the house is the main area used for childminding. A garden is available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children under 8 years old at any one time, and there are currently 3 children on roll. The family have 2 dogs and 3 cats.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children take part in regular physical activity that contributes to a healthy lifestyle. For instance, they walk to school or to the park and enjoy playing on the swings or having a game of football. They begin to learn about healthy eating habits when they are offered fruit instead of sugary foods, and they benefit from a varied diet that meets their nutritional needs. Children learn about the importance of good hygiene practices through everyday routines, such as washing their hands before eating. This helps prevent the spread of infection. Their health needs are mostly met because the childminder has somewhere to keep a record of any accidents they have and any medicine they need to be given. The childminder has an up-to-date first aid certificate, which means she should be able to respond quickly to any minor injuries or accidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, suitably maintained home with appropriate facilities to meet their needs. They have space to play and they use a variety of resources that are clean, safe and suitable for their age and stage of development. They are able to play safely because the childminder takes steps to reduce potential hazards, for instance by making sure cleaning materials are out of children's reach and that the premises are secure. Safety precautions such as smoke alarms and the fire blanket reduce the risk of children being exposed to fire. Children begin to learn how to keep themselves safe when the childminder talks to them about how to cross the road safely or why they need to hold hands when out walking. Their welfare is generally safeguarded because the childminder has an understanding of child protection issues and would know what to do if she was worried about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have good relationships with the childminder, who has a good understanding of their individual needs and joins in with their play. Their confidence and self-esteem is fostered because the childminder responds to them warmly and offers lots of praise, for instance when they complete a puzzle. Children take part in a good variety of activities and experiences that are appropriate to their age and needs. They enjoy spending time playing with the toys at the childminder's home as well as planned activities such as making cards or painting.

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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 Children take part in daily outings to play in the park, the library or a farm, or to socialise with other children at toddler groups. This ensures children's all-round development is well supported.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are welcomed and valued as individuals. The childminder spends time talking to parents before children start to make sure all children's needs, including those with special needs, can be met. Children behave well because the childminder has consistent expectations which have been discussed with parents. They begin to develop a positive view of the wider community when they play with the resources that are available that reflect diversity, look at books or listen to stories. Children benefit from positive relationships between the childminder and their parents. They exchange information every day, which helps children experience consistent care and ensures parents are kept up-to-date with the activities and experiences provided. Most of the arrangements agreed between the childminder and parents have been confirmed through a written contract. However, written

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Helping children make a positive contribution

agreements about taking children in the car, and permission for the childminder to seek medical advice or treatment in an emergency, are not in place. This means parents' wishes about these matters may not be clear.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder keeps most of the required records that contribute to the health, safety and well-being of the children. Most records, such as the attendance register, are clear and up to date. However, there is not a clear record that shows that parents have given prior written consent in all instances that medicine has been given to children. In addition, the childminder has not yet devised a system for keeping a record of complaints made by parents. This means an appropriate log may not be maintained as required. The childminder's home is organised so that children have plenty of clear space to play and a variety of toys set out to play with. The childminder plans activities and outings in advance, which ensures they are suitable for the children she cares for and they can make the most of the learning opportunities provided. 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 agreed to keep a record of any medicine she needs to give to children and any accidents they have in her care. These records are now in place, and can be shared with parents. This helps ensure children's health needs can be met.

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Improvements 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 At the last inspection, it was recommended that the childminder made sure all accessible electrical sockets were fitted with covers. Covers are now in place, which ensures that sockets are inaccessible and do not pose a hazard to children. It was also recommended that the childminder obtained local Child Protection guidance. This has been obtained, so the childminder can act appropriately if she has any concerns. Finally, the childminder was asked to obtain written consent from parents to take children swimming. This is now obtained when required, ensuring parents have given their permission for this activity.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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 satisfactory. 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 written consent from parents is always clearly recorded before any medicine is given to children • make sure agreements with parents about taking children in the car and seeking medical advice or treatment in an emergency are confirmed in writing • establish a system for keeping a record of any complaints made by parents

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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