St Ignatius Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 149287 Inspection date 12 December 2005 Inspector Diane Mary O'Neill

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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 2000. She lives with her two children aged 14 and 16 years old in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The whole of the downstairs accommodation is used for childminding with the kitchen being out of bounds to the children. Minded children have access to an upstairs bathroom and the use of a bedroom for sleep purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding eight children under five on various days and four

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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 over fives before and after school. The childminder is close to the local park, toddler groups, pre-school and school. The family has a pet rabbit, cat and dog. 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 warm and welcoming environment that is well maintained. Although some of the children being cared for are very young, the childminder is helping to show them about the importance of good hygiene such as washing hands before meals, when they come in from playing in the garden and after using the toilet. Children have disposable wipes which helps them learn about good hygiene practice as well as the childminder keeping children safe. They also learn about themselves as the children like to look in the mirror when cleaning their faces after lunch. She also takes disposable wipes with her when they go on outings, so children’s hygiene can be promoted at all times. Children have a good daily routine that includes time for sleeping if required, meals, toilet training, outings and play time. Children are provided with healthy snacks and meals which the childminder provides. The childminder especially provides drinks

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Helping children to be healthy

with the snacks and children will ask if they require any extra drinks especially when they have been exerting themselves, for example chasing each other. They are beginning to develop their independence which is apparent at snack times as they are encouraged to feed themselves. Children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills through a variety of play experiences both inside and outside. The children move freely and confidently within the childminder’s home selecting play equipment independently. They have access to equipment in the garden such as play trikes and bikes, toy buggies, balls and other equipment to enable them to fully enjoy playing outside. Children’s outdoor play experiences are further developed within the local community by going on trips to the park. Inside they have a variety of toys such as books, dolls, cars, puzzles and creative materials that help develop their finer physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

All relevant documentation is extremely well presented. The childminder clearly knows procedures to follow to safe guard children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming and safe environment as the childminder is aware of risks and has taken positive steps to minimise these. She carries out informal risk assessments daily and regularly checks the equipment to ensure children's safety whilst they are in her care. Children’s care would be further enhanced by developing a formal risk assessment. The childminder is aware of

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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 procedures to follow should she need to evacuate the premises. She has written procedures and regularly practices with the children an evacuation of the premises. Children’s learning is reinforced by these procedures. Children have good opportunities to access suitable play space and play equipment both inside and outside. This contributes to developing their independent skills through a choice of activities and play materials which the children have available to them. Children are beginning to learn about the safety of boundaries and to develop their awareness of how far they can go, for example, when they are running in the park. The childminder has a very good understanding of child protection procedures. She has attended a training course which has helped her gain very useful information of

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

this subject in order to help protect and safeguard children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are very settled and happy in the childminder’s home. They are secure and confident with themselves and other children attending, for example when playing together with the nativity characters. They are learning to share and take turns when playing with the toys and equipment. The children are extremely sociable and relate well with each other and the childminder. There is excellent use of communication and effective interaction which enables the children to be relaxed in her care. This was evident with the conversations taking place at the table during their lunch. Children’s learning is very well supported by the childminder who provides a broad range of stimulating and challenging play experiences. Their independence is enhanced by being able to easily access play materials from within the childminder’s home. Children are able to freely make choices for themselves as well as having

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

some activities planned for them. For example, they have trips to the park and make Christmas decorations and pictures. The childminder engages extremely well with the children. She is able to introduce simple mathematics, for example having conversations about how many pieces of toast they were eating. This enabled the childminder to introduce simple mathematics to the children. Equally children are able to make choices for themselves such as getting out books, playing with the Nativity characters. This shows good examples of extending children learning through conversation. The children have their physical play expanded by trips to the park, playing out in the garden, as well as in the play house and with the out door equipment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are beginning to learn about their community and the diversity of the world around them such as festivals, cultures and customs and different kinds 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 people who they may see. This is achieved through the childminder’s positive attitude and use of resources that she provides to extend their learning through books and discussion. Trips out within the community also help to extend the children’s learning and knowledge of others. Children’s needs are met very well as they follow their daily routine. The childminder has built up a good and trusting relationship with the children. This enables them to feel confident and happy within their surroundings. The children are starting to foster good relationships with one another and this is promoted through positive contributions by the childminder. Children are beginning to learn and have an awareness of boundaries and rules such as sharing and taking turns. Children’s care is enhanced through the childminder having a good working

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Helping children make a positive contribution

partnership with parents which impacts on the confidence and security of each child. Each parent has sufficient time to discuss their child’s progress on a daily basis with the childminder so they are fully informed about their child’s day.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel relaxed, secure and comfortable within the well organised environment. This enables them to be confident, energetic and engage well in their play together. They seek adult support when needed, clearly showing confidence within their surroundings and the good relationship formed with the childminder. The childminder has access to extremely well organised records and documentation. There are good systems in place, for the sharing of information on a regular basis with parents, so they are kept fully informed about their child's well-being, progress and achievements. This contributes to a trusting relationship which impacts positively on the children. Children’s care and welfare is safeguarded at all times, by the childminders good practice and awareness of procedures to follow. This may be further enhanced by the implementation of a more detailed and thorough use of risk assessments. Overall the

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Organisation

needs of all the children who attend are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were made for the childminder to ensure that fencing at end of the garden was safe and secure. The fencing has been replaced so making the garden area secure for the children and ensuring their safety. The childminder was also asked to ensure that policies and procedures were clear in defining who should be contacted if there are concerns for a child's welfare. The childminder now has this clearly written in her procedures and policies, which is helping her to deliver a professional but child centred service to parents and their children as well as protecting children in her care.

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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 recorded 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): • further develop systems for the recording of risks both inside and outside of the premises used by children.

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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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