Christ The King Catholic Primary School, A Voluntary Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 144824 Inspection date 01 December 2005 Inspector Catherine, Louise Sample

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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 husband and 9 year old son in a detached house close to Salisbury. Minded children use the ground floor and sleeping children use a travel cot in the spare room on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a total of six children at any one time. There are currently five children on roll. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are learning about good health and hygiene practice. For example a child practices blowing her nose on a tissue and keeps a tissue in her pocket in case she needs it. Children are encouraged to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating and younger children also use wipes. However children share a hand towel which could lead to cross infection. Younger children's hygiene needs are met well. The childminder uses disposable gloves for nappy changing and cleans the mat after each use. Used nappies are disposed of immediately. Children are protected well from illness through effective measures. These include a 24 hour exclusion period for sickness and diarrhoea and the exclusion of children with conjunctivitis and head lice to prevent infection. Children's first aid needs are met well due to the childminder's recently renewed first aid qualification. Children have easy access to drinks which are kept out so that they can help

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Helping children to be healthy

themselves. A cup is placed next to a baby that is learning to use one for the first time so that it becomes familiar to him. Children eat healthily. The childminder provides snacks of fruit, raw vegetables and biscuits. She discusses with parents suitable contents for lunchboxes to ensure that the children have a healthy diet. Children are helped to keep fit through regular exercise. They walk to school and into town and also play in the park and the garden depending on the weather.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are learning about staying safe. The childminder tells a child to stop turning round while carrying a chair because he could hurt someone and tells another not to throw a toy car. Children's safety in the home is promoted through positive measures. These included using stair gates to deny access to the kitchen and stairs and ensuring that all hazardous items are kept out of reach of the children. The childminder ensures that the baby is securely strapped into the bouncy chair in which it sleeps. Children's safety in the garden is ensured through effective measures. The garden has been divided to provide a fully enclosed level area for children to play. There are no dangerous plants or hazards in this area. Children are also kept safe on outings. The childminder uses appropriate restraints in the buggy and young children wear reins or a wrist strap depending on their age. She carries emergency contact details

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and a mobile phone at all times. Children are learning about road safety. They wait for the green man at pedestrian crossings and look for cars before crossing. Children's welfare is promoted through the childminder's sound understanding of child protection issues. She clearly understands the possible indicators of abuse such as unexplained injuries and changes in behaviour and attitudes. She is aware of the procedures to follow if she was worried about a child and would make a record of her

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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 concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children engage in a wide range of purposeful activities. These include painting, drawing, role play, construction and regular trips to the library. They develop their social skills by meeting with other minded children and attending a toddler group. They have easy access to a varied range of resources including art and craft materials, bricks, cars, dolls, and baby toys. Children are learning through questioning by the childminder. For example she asks "What happened when you moved the knob?" and talks to the children about two magnets sticking together. Children benefit from good levels of adult support. The childminder sits on the floor to join in role play with them and offers assistance where necessary. Children are able to make choices. For example a child decides he doesn't want to sing anymore and chooses another activity. They play an active role in the setting. The childminder encourages them to develop their independence by asking them to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

do jobs. For example she asks a child to fetch the bricks for her and to give the baby a toy. Children have good self esteem. A child proudly announces "I've done it!" when he builds a tower. The childminder gives plenty of praise and encouragement to boost children's confidence. For example she says "Good boy" when a child finds the right shape. She also encourages children to persevere when learning new skills. When a child says he is stupid she replies "We don't say stupid do we? We say we can do it". Children are all included in play. The childminder brings the baby over to the activity that older children are doing and ensures that he has a toy to play with. Babies and young children benefit from the childminder's awareness of the Birth to three matters framework. She uses it as a source of ideas for activities and to develop her practice. For example she interacts well with the baby and echoes back

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have a positive relationship with one another. For example they happily sit together to do drawing and older children show affection to the baby. Children also interact well with the childminder. They cuddle up to her and enjoy doing role play with her. Children are learning to take turns and share. For example they take turns to hold the baby's hand when doing a song with movements and they share the bricks. Children's behaviour is managed well. The childminder uses different strategies to manage each child's behaviour in liaison with the parents. She shares a behaviour management policy and house rules with the parents. Children are learning about wider society. They do activities such as tasting Chinese food to celebrate Chinese New Year and regularly use resources that help them become aware of diversity. These include dolls, books and puzzles. Children's individual needs are met well. For example the childminder takes account of a baby's

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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 particular sleeping arrangements. Children with special needs have their needs met well. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that the needs of the children are met and ensures that all children are included in activities whatever their ability. Children benefit from an effective working relationship between the childminder and the parents. The childminder shows parents a comprehensive portfolio to inform them about her provision. She shares information with them daily through discussion. She also uses a written diary to share information with parents that she does not see daily. She liaises with parents to ensure that their wishes and the children's needs are fully met. For example she works with parents to ensure consistent behaviour management techniques are used.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from a well organised environment. They have a dedicated playroom and can also use the sitting room for additional play space. The playroom provides a welcoming environment with displays of the children's pictures on the wall and colourful child sized furniture. The garden has been divided to provide a dedicated, safe area for children to play in. Children also benefit from well organised resources. Toys are kept in boxes in low storage units so that children can access them easily. Babies that are not mobile have a selection of toys placed close to them so that they can reach their toys by themselves. Children's care is enhanced by the childminders commitment to professional development. She has completed an NVQ 2 in childcare and attended relevant training including Child Protection and the Birth to three matters framework. Children's welfare is promoted through the keeping of all necessary records, policies

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Organisation

and procedures. For example the childminder keeps accident and medication records and the attendance register shows the exact times of arrival and departure. 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 was required to develop her knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities and to provide resources reflecting positive images of culture, ethnicity and disability. She was also required to ensure that all electrical sockets are inaccessible to children. The childminder has increased her awareness of equal opportunities. She has completed an NVQ 2 in childcare which has extended her knowledge and she now ensures that children have opportunities to learn about wider society. She has also acquired resources that promote equal opportunities. These include books, puzzles and dolls. These also help children to become aware of diversity. The childminder has ensured that all sockets are covered in areas used by minded children. This enhances the children's safety.

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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 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's hygiene needs are fully met with regard to hand washing

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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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