Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, Witney

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 139527 Inspection date 14 November 2005 Inspector Sue Boylan

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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 was registered in 2001. She lives with her 2 daughters aged 12 and 10 years in the London Borough of Sutton. All areas of the house except one bedroom are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder walks to school to take and collect children. She attends a local parent/toddlers group and takes the children to the park. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding five children, one of whom attends on a full-time basis.

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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 good. Children are cared for in a clean and warm home where they learn the importance of personal care and good hygiene practice, such as, not touching the kitchen bin, washing their hands before a meal and after using the toilet. Effective health and hygiene procedures ensure children are not at risk from cross-contamination, for example, they use paper towels to dry their hands and have individual bed linen for sleeping. Children's health is protected because the childminder will not mind children who have an infectious illness. The childminder's up-to-date knowledge of first aid ensure children receive prompt treatment in an emergency. Parents choose to provide food for the younger children which ensures individual dietary requirements are met. Food is stored appropriately to prevent spoiling. When children attend after school the childminder gives them a range of healthy nutritional

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Helping children to be healthy

snacks, such as, yogurt, toast and fruit. Children know when they are thirsty and can help themselves to drinks from their individual cups and bottles. Children participate in a range of activities to extend their physical skills and learn about a healthy life style. They have daily access to the garden, walk to and from school, go to the park and enjoy dancing. There are resources and activities to improve and practise fine motor development, such as, leaf collage, drawing and puzzles. The childminder follows babies' individual routines for sleeping and eating. This ensures continuity of care and contributes to physical wellbeing. Babies are given every opportunity to be independent, for example, helping the childminder to prepare for nappy changing by taking out the box, what was needed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a safe, child-orientated environment which allows them to move around freely and self-select good quality toys and resources. There are effective safety procedures in place including uncollected and lost child policy. The childminder gives high priority to ensuring the children are well supervised. Children learn road safety and are taught not to press the button at the crossing before all the children are ready and still to continue looking as they walk across the road. This promotes the importance of keeping safe. There are appropriate fire safety precautions in place which reduce the risk to children being exposed to harm from fire. The childminder has produced a written evacuation procedure but it is not practised on a regular basis so children will not be familiar with the procedure to get out of the house quickly.

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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 Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has good knowledge of child protection. She knows who to contact if there are any concerns or suspicions a child is being abused or neglected. The childminder is currently undertaking a correspondence course run by the NSPCC to update and extend her knowledge in child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and settled within the home. They have close relationships with the childminder because she is responsive to their individual needs and joins in with their play, for example, pretending to feed Postman Pat in the buggy. Children thoroughly enjoy the chance to sit with the childminder on her lap to laugh out loud and look at books together which means their self-esteem is fostered. There is a good selection of toys and resources appropriate to the ages and stages of children minded. The childminder has a good understanding of the Birth to Three Matters framework and incorporates the care and learning of the children under three into the daily routine. There are good opportunities for children to socialise with their peer group as they meet with their friends at a local toddler group. Older children enjoy the chance to extend their imaginations using a well equipped play house in the garden where

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

they can pretend to have a picnic or play schools. Children like to create, particularly after school when they make a large collage with leaves, place mats and design pictures using sponges and paint.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have a sense of belonging and feel very much at home in the childminder's company. She meets individual needs well and ensures there is a structured but flexible routine where children know what to expect. The childminder works well with children who have special needs and ensures parents are kept informed about specific care and learning needs. Children are encouraged to develop a positive view of today's society by using toys and resources that reflect diversity. Children are aware of the local community because they walk to school, go to the local shops and park. Children behave well and benefit from the childminder's good use of praise and encouragement which contributes to their emotional wellbeing and confidence. Positive behaviour strategies ensure children learn important social skills, such as, sharing and tidying up. Partnership with parents is good. The childminder completes

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Helping children make a positive contribution

a written diary for all younger children so parents can be reassured the care of their child is of a good standard and consistent. Verbal feedback is provided for parents who have older school-age children.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The home is well organised and children know what to expect because the routine is consistent and allows time for active and quiet play. It takes into account babies' individual needs. Children receive good adult support to help them feel secure and confident. There is an effective procedure in place so children are not left with any people not vetted. All the required documentation is available which contributes to the children's health, wellbeing and safety. The childminder has written some policies and procedures which guide and enhance the daily practice. 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 increase her resources reflecting today's society, practise an emergency escape plan and improve documentation. Children have opportunities to play with a selection of toys which enhance their awareness of the wider community, documentation includes written consent for the childminder to seek medical emergency assistance so treatment will not be delayed. Children have practised the evacuation plan once so this recommendation remains outstanding.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The childminder 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): • ensure children are familiar with the emergency escape plan

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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 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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