St Joseph's Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 147937 Inspection date 12 December 2005 Inspector Maria Therese Conroy

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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 2001. She is registered to provide care for 3 children under 8 years, of these not more than 1 may be under 1 year. At present the childminder is caring for 3 children under 8 years, all on a part-time basis. The childminder lives with her husband and her 2 children age 11 and 8 years in a house in Harrow, in the London Borough of Harrow close to shops and transport links.

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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 All the rooms are used for childminding purposes. There is a garden available for outdoor play. The childminder uses the local resources in the area such as the park and the library.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy healthy nutritious foods, which meet their individual needs, for example, chicken casserole. They are able to sit and eat comfortably using suitable furniture. Appropriate equipment is available for younger children e.g. a high chair. Children decide when they are thirsty and they help themselves to their drinks which are easily accessible. Children are learning good hygiene practises including washing their hands prior to eating and after using the toilet. Soap and separate towels are easily accessible. Children help the childminder to tidy up when they finish playing with the toys. Children are cared for in a clean home as the childminder has daily cleaning routines in place, for example, hoovering the carpet and cleaning the kitchen surfaces. Children's well being is promoted effectively, they receive appropriate first aid treatment as the childminder has a current first aid certificate and a first aid box in

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Helping children to be healthy

place. They are protected from unnecessary illness as they do not attend if they are unwell or infectious. The childminder informs parents of her sick child policy before they start to attend. Children enjoy being out in the fresh air. They are developing their physical skills by using the slide, pedalling bikes, swimming and walking. They have use of the garden with different play equipment, such as, the slide and the bikes and enjoy outings to the local park where they can experience the wider range of outdoor play equipment.

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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 and welcoming home. Space has been organised to meet their individual needs, for example, they can eat, rest and play comfortably in designated areas. Children explore and move around safely as they choose toys from the toy box. The childminder provides suitable age appropriate equipment to allow children to take part in all activities including a high chair, toilet seat and buggy. There is a good range of toys for children to choose from, all of which are age appropriate and most are stored at low level to allow children to make independent choices. Children are safe on the premises as the childminder has taken suitable steps to

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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 make her home safe and secure, for example, smoke alarms and an emergency evacuation procedure in place. As a result, children are able to explore freely and independently. Children are learning to take responsibility for their safety as the childminder explains possible dangers while crossing the road. Children's welfare is protected by the childminder's adequate understanding of child protection issues. However she is not fully aware of the procedures for reporting suspected abuse.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well cared for as they have close relationships with the childminder. She meets their individual needs and promotes their emotional well-being by offering lots of attention and praise. Children are relaxed and feel at home as they help themselves to the toys which are easily accessible. They are familiar with the daily routine which makes them feel secure. Children are involved with a wide range of activities which supports their development in all areas of learning, for example, drawing and playing games. Children are being imaginative as they explore when they dress up, use the train set and when they take part in creative activities. Children enjoy counting and doing puzzles as they develop their mathematical skills. The childminder makes good use of everyday situations to help children to learn numbers, such as, when they count out the dominos to play their game.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing their language, early literacy and writing skills as they attempt to write their name, draw pictures and match letters to sounds. Children have regular opportunities for story time when they have a chance to relax after lunch. Children are developing their independence skills as they make choices from the toys available which are changed on a regular basis. They play contently and they involve the childminder in their game. She responds as she explains the rules of the game and supports them, in taking part.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and confident, they are building a positive self-image and feel at home as the childminder ensures the care she provides is consistent with their home life e.g. meal times and meeting individual needs. Their individual needs are met because the childminder works closely with parents and knows the children well. Parents are happy with the care provided and confirm that the childminder has a positive influence on their children, and they are kept fully informed of the activities their children take part in. However, parents are not given clear procedures in the event they want to make a complaint. Children are beginning to develop an understanding of their own beliefs and those 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 other people as they play with toys and resources which promote positive images of different cultures and beliefs, for example, books and puzzles. Children enjoy making calendars and cards for different occasions such as Christmas and Hanukkah. The children are developing a sense of right and wrong. The childminder has clear behaviour management procedures in place which are discussed with parents to provide continuity of care. Children receive praise for their efforts, for example, when they complete the puzzle and when they count the number of dominos they have. Children are well behaved and listen to instructions, such as, holding hands when they cross the road.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has completed a first aid certificate and the Introduction to Childminding Practice. She has an awareness of the Birth to Three Matters framework and as a result, she has a better understanding of working with young children and their developmental needs. The children's welfare is supported as the childminder has written contracts with parents which sets out the expectations of both parties. Space is well organised to meet the children's individual needs including specific areas for rest, play and eating. The childminder has a daily routine and children enjoy planned indoor and outdoor activities including visits to the local park and leisure centre, which allows children to access different types of equipment. All regulatory records are well organised and stored appropriately. The childminder is meeting the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to improve in three areas at the last inspection. She was asked to increase the range of toys and equipment that reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability. The childminder has purchased puzzles, books and dolls that promote positive images of diversity and the children talk about how people are different. This encourages children to learn about the diverse community in which we live. The childminder was asked to ensure that all the required records are maintained. She has now purchased a folder to keep all regulatory records which ensures that she has the relevant information available to care for the children appropriately at all times. The childminder was also asked to produce an MOT for the car however the car she used to have has now been replaced and the new car does not require an MOT.

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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

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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): • ensure that details of the regulator is available to parents should they need to make a complaint and that consent for outings, travel and emergency medical treatment is in place for all children. • become more familiar with the procedures for reporting suspected child protection issues.

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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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