Trinity Catholic School

Inspection report for early years provision

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148362 Unique Reference Number 19 March 2008 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 has been registered since 1997. She is registered to provide care for up to five children and is currently caring for three children on a part time and full basis. The childminder lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and 11. The family live in a house in Earley, Reading. The property is close to local shops, schools and amenities. The childminder uses all areas of the ground floor for childminding purposes and has identified a bedroom on the first floor for children who require sleeps. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is prepared to collect children from Whitenights Primary School.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have a pet dog and two guinea pigs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 effective health and hygiene routines whilst in the care of the childminder. Children understand to wash their hands, using liquid soap and individual towels, after touching pets, after messy play, after using the toilet, coming in from playing outside and before/after meals. Parents provide nappies and wipes; as well as changing mats. The childminder ensures nappy bags are put immediately into the bin and uses an antibacterial wash for her hands. Parents normally start potty/toilet training, which the childminder continues, using their methods and offering lots of praise. Sleeping children use either the cot upstairs or take a nap downstairs. Children are given clean, individual bedding. Children suffering from sickness, diarrhoea or any contagious diseases remain at home; and the childminder provides parents with a list of incubation periods to this effect. If children are sick in her care, she calls parents

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Helping children to be healthy

to collect. This ensures children's health is enhanced through not catching germs from other children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has completed paediatric first aid training and holds a fully stocked first aid box which she checks often. Consents for medication are in place and parents sign to acknowledge any accidents which occur.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are often taken to the local parks and have many opportunities to play outside in the garden. This means that children receive plenty of fresh air and exercise.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a dog which is well looked after and immunised as required; and guinea pigs which live in a cage in the utility room and are cleaned out often. Parents sign a form to acknowledge their awareness of the pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is aware of children's dietary needs and allergies. Parents provide packed lunches, formula milk and any weaning foods. The childminder provides snacks. Children enjoy healthy and nutritious snacks, such as bread sticks, fruit and milk/water. Children are provided with their own cups and plates and sit at the table for their meals/snacks, which ensures these times are kept sociable. Parents are made aware of any concerns the childminder has over eating or drinking needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have access to the whole of the downstairs of the childminder's home, apart from the utility area. Children use certain rooms upstairs if sleeping. The home is clean and welcoming; warm but airy. Toys, resources and equipment are maintained in a good condition. Toys are rotated often and are appropriate for the age of the children cared for.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe within the childminder's home as the front door is locked with the key accessible to the childminder; windows can be shut in a ventilated position; safety glass is fitted; door slams are in place; central heating is thermostatically controlled; socket covers are in place; cleaning materials are stored in the garage and utility room. The garden is secured with fencing; and the gate and shed locked. The childminder is aware to check for poisonous plants, which further enhances children's safety.

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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 Smoke detectors are fitted in the bedrooms and downstairs. Children are made aware of the fire evacuation procedures and practise these weekly. This means that children are aware of how to evacuate the home in times of emergency. A fire blanket and extinguisher are kept in the kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

When out and about, children are made aware of both road and water safety. The childminder keeps a copy of parent's contact details with her and on her mobile phone. Children understand to walk alongside her and to hold her hands near roads. When on outings, efficient use is made of name tags which detail the childminder's contact number. In the car, children always sit in the back, in age and size appropriate seats/boosters. The childminder maintains her car in a road worthy condition and is insured as legally required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder keeps details of people who will collect the children in her care and has made provision for checks to be made on anyone different to normal at pick up times. The childminder is also aware of how to safeguard the children in her care and of how to protect herself from false allegations. The childminder is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to take in line with child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have a warm relationship with the childminder, who is organised and knows the children well. The childminder is aware of each child's individual needs, which in turn means that children feel valued. Lots of resources are made available and children can access their toys easily. Children enjoy, for example; the toy kitchen and play food/equipment, Lego, Duplo, cotton reels and threading games, zoo animals, cars and trucks, construction, jigsaw puzzles, board games, Sylvannian figures, books and trains. The toys are rotated often which means that children have an ever changing variety of resources to play with.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are often taken to the local parks, on countryside walks and for picnics. Children delight at feeding the geese and ducks and also make active use of the large garden with ride on toys, sand pit, water trough, water toys/watering cans and goal net. For special trips, children are taken out for the day to places such as Odds Farm and Beale Park. Children learn about the environment through planting bulbs and vegetables; such as runner beans and carrots. Children are allowed to take home the produce they grow.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident to sit with the childminder as they play. She offers lots of conversation and cuddles. Children also help to tidy up which helps them to understand respect for their environment. During trips out, children help the childminder to shop; and discuss seasonal fruit and vegetables for example. Children also have opportunities for messy play, such as painting, art and craft and cooking. Older children on their return home from school are helped with reading and homework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children play together well and form relationships with one another. Children are introduced to positive images of society through small world play figures which depict age, gender and disability; and through jigsaws and books which cover culture and ethnicity. Children therefore start to understand the diverse world in which they live. The childminder is aware of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 confidentiality around sensitive issues and to include and adapt her care to involve all children, regardless of any particular needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and receive praise for achieving and kind acts. Inappropriate behaviour is dealt with using distraction techniques and explaining why something may not be so kind or good to do. Children are encouraged to learn to share, say please and thank you.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder and the parents of the children she cares for have a good relationship. New parents meet to discuss the care she offers and the regular routines provided. Settling in times and a trial period are set in place. Feedback is offered at the end of the day.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children develop well through their time spent with the childminder; who is organised and efficient in her care. The childminder has recently updated her paediatric first aid training and is aware to fully record any accidents or medication. Children's personal records are stored confidentially and thoroughly with written consents from parents in place for emergency treatment/advice, travelling in the car and outings for example. Parents are made aware of the role of Ofsted and the certificate of registration is displayed in the hallway.

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Organisation

The registration system, however, does not clearly document all children's attendance on a daily basis, noting arrival and departure times. The childminder is aware to update this procedure to ensure children's safety and well-being.

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Organisation

Certain policies and procedures are written and made available to parents, such as complaints, non collection of children and information about pets. The childminder ensures parents are made aware of the day to day procedures at their initial meeting.

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Organisation

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 was set just one recommendation. This was to ensure all parents sign consents to seek medical attention in the event of an emergency; for children to be transported in a vehicle and to go on outings. The childminder has met the recommendation in full. Written consents are in place, signed by parents, which gives the childminder permission to seek medical attention/advice in case of emergency; to transport children in her vehicle which is insured as appropriately required; and for children to be taken on outings. Children's safety and well-being is therefore enhanced by these good procedures set in place.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required Ofsted or the provider to take 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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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 a register is maintained which clearly shows children's daily attendance times; arrival and departure.

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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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