St Mary's RC Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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111708 Unique Reference Number 17 January 2008 Inspection date Judith Reed 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 1984. She lives with her two adult children in Chineham, Basingstoke. Most of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden 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 four children under five on a part time basis, and one child over five after school. The childminder walks to a local school to collect children. The childminder attends local parent and toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are healthy as the childminder has a suitable first aid kit and ensures her first aid training is up to date. The childminder holds the necessary permission for emergency medical treatment for each child. She records accidents and medication administered in a clear, confidential manner and parents sign to acknowledge treatment. Children are encouraged to

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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 use the downstairs toilet independently and have their own personal hand towels. Younger children have their nappies changed on a changing mat in the play area. The childminder takes all necessary precautions to protect children from cross infection. Appropriate policies regarding keeping children healthy are in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular physical exercise when attending toddler groups as well as walking to school to collect older children. They also benefit from walks in nearby woods and visits to the park. During fine weather children have use of the garden, which is mainly grass. They play with a sand pit, bikes and sit and ride toys in the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular snacks provided by the childminder. They have mid-morning and afternoon snacks of fruit, yogurt and biscuits as well as drinks orfwater or milk. The childminder offers children meals as provided by their parents. She is aware of children's dietary requirements and allergies.

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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 secure environment. The childminder has some understanding of safety issues although kitchen cupboards are not secure and cleaning items are stored inside which pose a risk to children. A stair gate is in place in the kitchen/dining room doorway to keep children inside this area unless accompanied by the childminder. Smoke detectors and a fire blanket are in place and the childminder practises fire drill with the children, however these drills are not evaluated to improve practice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to help themselves to toys and equipment in the conservatory which is set out as a playroom. Children use a low level table and chairs for their messy activities. They move around the conservatory and dining areas freely. The childminder changes the toys around and cleans them regularly. She ensures toys are safe and suitable for those attending.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has an understanding of child protection procedures and knows her professional duty regarding protecting children. Parents are made aware of the childminder's duty to report concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. The childminder understands children's individual needs and talks to them about their actions. She offers children a range of activities. They are able to help themselves to toys from low level storage around the playroom/conservatory.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are offered the opportunity to play with soft play dough. The childminder encourages children to name the colours of the play dough. She shows the children some individual cutters and names the shapes, including a butterfly, a caterpillar and a flower. Children begin to handle the dough and say it is too hard. The childminder helps to soften the dough and shows children how to knead and warm it. Children show a sense of achievement when they successfully create a flower with the dough. The childminder talks to the children throughout the activities describing her actions and helping to extend their vocabulary. The childminder also helps children to develop their knowledge of early mathematical skills by talking about shapes and dividing the dough into halves. The children laugh with the childminder as she playfully dangles

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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 dough from a container and they reach for it. Children particularly enjoy play dough activities and demonstrate extended attention to these activities. The childminder offers to change activities several times before children agree to play with something different.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children become aware of an airplane flying overhead. They call out 'Hello!' and wave to the plane. The childminder asks 'Do you think they saw us?'

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children empty a box of wooden bricks onto the floor. They place some onto a low table and stack them up. Children successfully pile up seven blocks before they tumble down. The childminder praises the children for making a tall tower.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children regularly visit the local library with the childminder. They choose their books and share them when they arrive home. The childminder keeps the children's individual book-start bags for their books at her home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Positive relationships are formed with parents which contributes to both parents and children being confident and settled with the childminder. Parents are made aware of the range of policies and procedures in place, including the complaints procedure. The childminder keeps parents of younger children informed about their activities, outings, food consumed and naps through the informative home link diaries. She also talks to parents about their children, keeping them fully informed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are treated as individuals and the childminder knows them well. She ensures all children are offered equal access to the toys and equipment. Children begin to develop an understanding of diversity as they play with dolls and small world people from other cultures, as well as those with disabilities. Children also look at books showing children from all around the world. Posters are displayed which include children from many cultures and the childminder acknowledges festivals from around the world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are valued and respected. The childminder has limited experience in caring for children with disabilities or learning difficulties, but has a positive attitude towards additional needs and would work closely with parents and outside agencies to ensure children's individual needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well. They are praised and encouraged throughout their activities and the childminder uses stars and stickers in the daily diaries to reinforce positive praise. A behaviour management policy is in place and the childminder displays the house rules for all to see. Children are encouraged to help tidy away toys and equipment after use.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home in the well organised environment. Children have space to play and are taken out regularly. The childminder ensures she remains within her ratio at all times. She keeps clear and accurate records of attendance.

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Organisation

Children's care is enhanced as the childminder is very experienced. She completed an initial childminding training course and keeps her first aid training up to date. The childminder keeps

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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 up to date through regular contact with other childminders, as well as through the National Childminder's Association magazine. The childminder is aware of the requirements of her registration. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

The childminder ensures her paperwork is very well organised into individual folders and that it remains confidential at all times.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure first aid box contents are up to date and to improve documentation including, accident and medication records, parental consent for emergency advice or treatment and update child protection information.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder ensures her first aid box is well stocked with appropriate equipment to ensure children's safety in case of accidents. She has also improved her documentation to include parental consent for emergency medical treatment. Accident and medication records are authorised and signed by parents as necessary and children are safeguarded as child protection information is up to date, with the 'What to do if you are worried about a child' booklet available if required.

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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.

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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): • evaluate the regular fire evacuation drill to improve practice • ensure all cleaning equipment is stored safely and children are protected

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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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