St Benedict's Catholic Primary School - a Catholic voluntary academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 147274 Inspection date 25 November 2005 Inspector Kim Mundy

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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 1992. She lives with her husband; her adult daughter; and her younger daughter aged 12, in the London Borough of Barnet. All areas of the house are used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under 5. Children attend various sessions. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler groups. The family have a dog.

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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 receives support from the Local Authority and she is a member of the Barnet childminder network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's health and welfare is thoroughly promoted as the childminder maintains excellent levels of hygiene in her home. Children are learning good hygiene practices: for example, washing hands before and after meals. Children are well protected from the sun as parents are required to provide sun cream and hats. The childminder ensures that her home is kept very clean. Children’s well-being is very positively promoted, and they are protected from unnecessary illness as they are not able to attend when they are infectious. Children receive appropriate first aid treatment as the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. Thorough records are maintained for accidents and medication. The childminder is very enthusiastic and motivated. She attends training courses to support the children's well-being: for example, 'dental health' and 'healthy eating'. Children enjoy lots of fresh air and exercise. They have excellent opportunities to

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Helping children to be healthy

develop their physical skills as they run, jump, slide and crawl. Children are enthused by the very good range of outdoor activities: for example, ball pool, tunnel and push-along toys. They have lovely opportunities to widen their experiences on outings to the toddler group, park and farm. Children enjoy healthy and nutritious snacks such as yoghurt, fruit and juice. Parents provide packed lunches which are stored appropriately in the fridge. Children experience relaxed and social meal times as the childminder sits and encourages them to chat. They are very happy, secure and confident because the childminder is extremely attentive. As a result, their emotional well-being is promoted.

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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 very warm and welcoming home. They are very relaxed and happy because the childminder has made her home and garden safe and secure to enable them to explore independently. All possible risks have been minimised. For example, risk assessments are carried out daily. Children benefit from the wide range of colourful toys and resources which are set out attractively at their level in the play room. Children are investigating their environment and they involve the childminder in their play: for example, as they roll cotton reels. Children's individual needs are met very effectively as there is a good range of well maintained and suitable equipment: for example, booster chairs, buggies, car seats,

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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 travel cot and stair gate. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has a good knowledge of her role and responsibility in child protection. She has obtained relevant training and is fully aware of possible signs of abuse and the necessary procedures to follow.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children have lots of fun and they play enthusiastically with the excellent range of toys and resources which fully promote their learning. They are curious and excited by the wide range of activities offered. For example, sticking and play dough. Children are developing their language skills as the childminder asks them questions and encourages them to chat. This also helps them to make sense of the world. Children enjoy listening to a range of stories such as 'snappy numbers' and they have very good opportunities to practise their early writing skills when drawing and painting. They are developing their early mathematical skills as they count, and recognise colours and shapes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are using their imagination as they play with tea-sets and dolls. They build with a variety of construction toys, such as bricks. Children thoroughly enjoy playing with cardboard boxes. The childminder helps the children to extend their play by making suggestions and providing extra resources, such as making the boxes into a train. Children are suitably challenged to help them to make very good progress in all areas of their development. Children are using their senses to explore as they listen to music, sing simple rhymes and investigate the treasure basket which contains objects of different textures. Children involve the childminder in their play and they receive lots of warm and individual attention which enables them to successfully extend their learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are developing a positive self image, lots of confidence, and self-esteem. The childminder knows the children really well and she encourages their individual interests, such as trains. Children are very happy and content because the childminder treats them with equal concern. She meets their individual needs very effectively. There is a good range of toys to promote children's understanding of culture, gender and disability: for example, dolls, small world toys, dressing up clothes and books. The childminder continuously updates her knowledge of caring for children with special needs by attending training courses: for example, Epipen administration, diabetes and Aspergers syndrome.

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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 Children are learning right from wrong and they are very well behaved as the childminder uses age-appropriate behaviour-management strategies which are consistently applied. Children know what is and is not acceptable and parents are well informed about the childminder's written behaviour-management policy. Children benefit from the childminder's very strong emphasis on partnership with parents. Their routine, activities and achievements are shared with parents daily. Every three months parents also receive clear written information about their children's developmental progress, which includes photos and samples of their drawings. The childminder has a written complaint policy, although a procedure for keeping a record of complaints from parents has not been implemented in line with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the new guidance to the National Standards. The childminder is very warm, kind and caring towards the children who clearly enjoy the time they spend with her.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's care, welfare and development is fully promoted because the childminder has an excellent understanding of caring for young children and she is extremely well organised. The children have very close relationships with the childminder. They are full of confidence and very happy in her care. The childminder has excellent record-keeping systems in place to maintain this high standard of child care. She has developed comprehensive policies and procedures to support her work in caring for the children. Children benefit greatly by the childminder's enthusiasm to continuously update her knowledge and understanding of child care. They are extremely well cared for and they are having a wonderful time in this safe and secure child-friendly environment. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection, the childminder has maintained records for administering medication to children. Toys are cleaned regularly and visual risk assessments are carried out. This improves the health, welfare and safety of the children.

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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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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): • update the system for recording complaints in line with new childminding guidance to the National Standards 2005 in order to share this information with parents.

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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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