St Winifred's RC Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 142456 Inspection date 14 December 2005 Inspector Rachael Williams

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives in a semi detached house, within walking distance of the centre of Wellington. She lives here with her husband and two children. She has been a registered childminder for 15 years. Minded children have access to the ground floor which offers a lounge/dining room, a downstairs cloakroom and a dedicated playroom in the conservatory. She is registered to care for six children under the age of eight years. At present she has five children on roll. Her registration does not include overnight care.

p.2

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 NCMA and receives support from the local authority.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder is effective in ensuring children's health and well-being is promoted. Children enjoy a range of activities which support their physical development. For example, children have regular opportunities to play outside when visiting the park or walking to town. Children benefit from a good range of nutritious snacks provided by the childminder. Drinks are readily available for children to access independently when they are thirsty. Children are cared for in a clean, well maintained home. This enables children to explore and play freely in a hygienic and friendly environment. Children benefit from the childminder's good, hygienic practices, such as hygienic nappy changing and hand washing arrangements. Children remain healthy through a confidential accident record which is shared with parents. Medication is recorded appropriately however; parental consent to administer medication is not consistently obtained which compromises children's

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

health. Children are protected from illness and infection through good communication with parents, such as informing them of appropriate incubation periods. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge of first aid through attendance at a relevant course.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are cared for and kept safe in a spacious, well maintained environment. Space is organised well to ensure children can move freely and confidently as risks are minimised effectively. Children are given clear explanations as to why some toys may pose a risk. For example, the childminder explains to a two-year-old why a van cannot be played with as it contains small parts which may be swallowed and cause a choking hazard. Children benefit from close supervision to ensure their safety, such as when the childminder is preparing a snack she uses the hatch to observe and talk to them. Accidents and existing injuries are recorded effectively to ensure children's safety is monitored. Children remain safe in an emergency as the childminder has established effective contingency arrangements where minded children have met the appropriately vetted adults who would care for them. Appropriate collection

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

arrangements safeguard children's well-being.

p.3

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 The provision is good. Children are settled and confident in the care of the childminder through good relationships being established. The childminder consistently praises and encourages the children for example, when creating octon rockets the childminder stimulates their imagination by asking them where they are rocket is flying to. Children are able to independently access a good range of age appropriate toys and resources. Children enjoy singing and spontaneously sing ' Head, shoulders, knees and toes' and are proactive in demonstrating the actions involved. Children's developing language skills are promoted well through the childminder's good interaction and support of their developing needs. For example, the childminder involves the children in creating a snowman calendar and encourages them to name

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

parts of the snowman and his accessories comparing it to their own experiences. Children's social skills are developed well as they attend a weekly toddler group.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are settled, confident and happy in the homely environment. Children are positively supported by a caring childminder who has good knowledge of their individual needs. Good relationships have been established with parents to ensure continuity in care. Information is readily shared regarding children's achievements and daily routines. Children behave well and are clear on expectations. The childminder gives clear explanations to the children and enforces time limits to ensure children share and play cooperatively. Children have establish good relationships and are keen to help each other for example, a two-year-old helps her friend take his yoghurt lid off at lunchtime. However; behaviour incidents, such as biting, are not recorded appropriately. Children have good self-esteem through the consistent praise and acknowledgement of their achievements by the childminder.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a well-organised environment by an experienced childminder. Resources are used well to encourage children's independence within the homely setting. The local environment is used appropriately to provide children with a wide variety of stimulating play opportunities. For example, the children enjoy visiting the Post Office to post their Christmas cards. The childminder has a well organised filing system to ensure information is readily available, such as children's individual details, which are stored confidentially, and relevant literature for example, child protection information. The register is appropriately completed to ensure that ratios are maintained and positively support children's care. Relevant policies and procedures underpin the childminder's good practice. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom

p.4

Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 they provide.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection a recommendation was raised to improve the childminder's knowledge of reporting child protection issues. The childminder has good knowledge of the signs to look for if abuse or neglect are suspected. A policy has been devised which clearly shows the appropriate procedure to follow. The childminder would refer to the policy if such an incident arose and would contact social services.

p.5

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 and request. The complaint record may contain complaints other than those made to OFSTED.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 parental consent to administer medication is consistently obtained • develop a behaviour incident record to share with parents

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5