St Mary's Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 124356 Inspection date 28 September 2005 Inspector Kay Bateson

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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 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 lives with her partner and four children aged 10,11 and 13, 15 years in a three bedroom house in a residential road in Shirley. Minded children have the use of the front room, the dining room, kitchen and first floor bathroom. The garden is accessible through the kitchen and dining room, for physical play. Also, the childminder includes additional outings to local parks, libraries, mother and

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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 toddler groups that are within walking distance. The family has fish and two cats hygienically kept. The childminder is a member of the Croydon Childminding Network and National Childminding Association. She has child care qualification Cache National Vocational Qualification level 3 and level 1 British Sign language. The childminder is currently registered to care for 4 children under 8 years at any one time and currently has 5 part-time children under 8 years on roll and one child over 8 years.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are developing a good understanding and know the importance of keeping themselves safe from infection and germs through daily routines. Older children independently take themselves to the toilet, wash hands afterwards, before meals and after handling the family’s cats. They learn through discussion with the childminder, about the importance of these procedures and what will happen if they do not follow them. Younger children are learning about good hygiene practices through the childminder following sound procedures, as seen during mealtimes, nappy changing and ensuring cats do not enter while they are eating. Children benefit from the nourishing well planned and prepared meals provided. The childminder ensures the children’s individual likes and dislikes, alongside their dietary requirements, form an important part in the planning. Children acquire new tastes and are encouraged to develop good eating habits, as

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Helping children to be healthy

they sit together during a meal. They learn about healthy eating through discussion with the childminder as she introduces something different each meal time and encourages them to try new tastes. This has encouraged children to develop sound eating practices and to be more adventurous in trying something new. Children have plenty of drinks throughout the time with the childminder. Fresh drinking water is available and older children understand about the important benefits it has to their bodies. This encourages children to strengthen their awareness of the needs of their growing bodies. Children and babies have good support and provision for their physical development. They can play with a range of outdoor equipment and toys that suit the needs of the different ages of children. They benefit from additional visits to the nearby parks and daily walking from school. Young children’s physical skills are developing well; this is

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Helping children to be healthy

apparent when they manoeuvre a doll in a buggy around the room, handle books carefully, hold a bottle and feed themselves, or climb into a small chair.

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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

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy playing freely in a safe and secure environment as the childminder pays good attention to protecting children from possible hazards in and outdoors. She fully supervises children at all times, especially when playing outside and has an alarm on both front and back doors to ensure children do not open doors unsupervised. Children play with a good variety of toys and use equipment that is safe and in good condition, which is easily accessible supporting their differing ages and needs. The childminder supports their interests and play ideas by providing this wide range of opportunities. This is apparent when watching older children dress up. They find suitable sized clothes for themselves and for the younger child playing with her chosen activity of pushing a doll in a buggy around the room. Children learn about how to keep themselves safe as the childminder has firm

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

procedures in place. She reminds them of correct road safety procedures as they walk home together and how to keep safe from fire by the regular evacuation practices they do together. Young children learn about safety boundaries and their physical limitation, by the childminder closely supervising them take safe risks while playing. As seen when they clamber in and out of a small chair. The children’s welfare is protected by the childminder's very good understanding of child protection issues and procedures. She makes sure the children are safe when walking from school and to the park as they are in a buggy, on reins, or holding hands and within her sight at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Older children play very well together, become involved in activities for long periods of time. They involve all children in their play as the childminder encourages them to be caring and sensitive to the needs of younger children. They join in with the range of activities planned with the childminder. These include planting bulbs, decorating biscuits and tie dying. She skilfully works with children to extend their learning and knowledge in practical activities. This is apparent when children talk about dancing when dressing up, and enthusiastically explain about their recycling project to save the planet. This shows that children are learning a great deal and enjoy the experiences the childminder provides for them. Young children are involved in games and activities with older children when they are together. They enjoy playing with a varied range of toys that suit their age and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

development. They are able to reach them and get them out for themselves as the childminder organises them in clear boxes on the floor and rotates them to ensure children do not become bored. Children benefit from a balance of activities that are active and quiet, allowing them opportunities to rest active minds as well developing their physical needs. This is apparent when children actively dress up or quietly sit

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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 and pore over the pictures of a book. The childminder uses every moment as a learning opportunity, therefore constantly extending children’s knowledge, thinking and conversation skills. The stimulating conversation with the childminder promotes lots of inquisitive questions by the older children. This is apparent when children sit together at meal times, walk home from school and are engaged in activities with the childminder. The talk and early language of younger children is well supported and fostered by the good interaction of the childminder. This is clear in the way she talks, identifies words and also uses sign language to support the child’s home language.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children enjoy staying with the childminder and demonstrate good strong bonds with her while in her care. Older children are confident, happy and are ‘at home’ as they play. Young children settle quickly with the comforting words and actions the childminder uses. This enables children to feel emotional safe and secure while away from their parents. Children demonstrate a very good standard of behaviour and social manners. They are polite to each other, to adults and during meal times. They respond well to the requests of the childminder and show respect for each other. The childminder maintains this by the way she values what they say and do; giving lots of praise and encouraging the child’s individual strength. This boosts the children’s self esteem, which in turn promotes good behaviour and the respect for each other. Older children are very independent and are encouraged to be responsible for their

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Helping children make a positive contribution

personal skills of hygiene practices, dressing and making choices for activities to play with. Younger children are gaining independent skills as the childminder encourages them to feed themselves, select books and toys to play with. The children are encouraged to play an important part in the running of the setting as they make choices in what they do and have for meals. This ensures that children feel valued and important, as their wishes are respected and accommodated. Children with special needs will receive good support and understanding by the childminder. She has training, skills, and good experience in supporting children with special needs and disabilities. This enables her to confidently work with the child, their parents and outside carers. In turn, this maintains the continuity of care and the promotion of learning for the child. Children are learning to understand the values of a good anti-bias practice, by the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder promoting it through being a good role model and discussion. This is apparent in the way the children are challenged when talking about boys having dancing lessons and girls playing football. Children learn about caring, supporting and understanding the needs of each other by the childminder. She ensures all children, despite any special needs, are fully included in the setting and they play an active part in adapting activities to suit the

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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 needs of everyone. They are benefiting from the skills and training of the childminder to communicate in sign language, which enables them to fully understand the needs of a deaf person. Parents are very happy with the care provided by the childminder. They have clear information, contractual agreements and good open relations with her. She is very accommodating and supportive to their needs. This ensures the children are well looked after according to their wishes. However, their safety and welfare could be delayed as not all written agreements with parents are signed and in place. The childminder agreed to maintain all written agreements immediately.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from her well organised play areas, toys and equipment. These fully support the varying ranges of ages and developmental needs of the minded children. They feel welcomed and very at home as they play and join in with activities. They also benefit from the childminder’s strong awareness to improve her personal development and skills in child care. She pays particular attention to attending training to further her knowledge and understanding in child development. This is evident from her acquiring National Vocational Qualification and booking training for the Birth to three matters. Therefore, children receive a good standard of care and learning activities that support their individual abilities and skills. The childminder has all the required details of the minded children, with important contractual arrangements and most written parent agreements in place. At the

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Organisation

inspection, the childminder agreed to ensure permission from parents for seeking emergency medical treatment or advice is in place for all children attending. This would ensure children’s welfare and safety is not delayed in the event of an emergency situation. She agreed that making some adjustments to the existing method of recording the daily attendance times of children, would improve the maintenance of their safety. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to develop a sick child policy, obtain written parental consent to transport a child in a vehicle, and to provide parents with the contact details for Ofsted. All relevant agreements and documentation have been developed and parents are given clear copies to sign and keep. This means parents are now well informed and are able, with discussion, make agreements about the childminder's procedure for sick children and transporting children. This ensures that child's welfare and safety is maintained when they become unwell or when travelling in a vehicle.

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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 The childminder agreed to provide evidence that the patio doors were safe. She has reduced the risk to children by replacing the glass in the patio doors, therefore children are now safe from a potential hazard.

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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): • to maintain a daily register of children with clearly recorded hours of attendance and all the written parental agreements giving permission are completed and signed by both parties.

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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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