St Joseph's Convent Preparatory School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 130116 Inspection date 01 November 2005 Inspector Tina Kelly

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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 satisfactory. 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 over 16 years ago. She lives with her husband and two adult children. They live in a house in South Oxhey on the outskirts of Watford. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, children may access upstairs to use the family bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder has a cat and a tank of fish. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. At the time of inspection two children aged 2 years old were being cared for. The three other children are cared for around school hours.

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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 She attends the childminder drop-in group on a regular basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and warm environment. Their general health is well managed as they learn to wash their hands as part of their daily routine and to cover their mouths when they cough to prevent spreading germs. The childminder takes regard of the parents' wishes, meals are brought from home but are supplemented with fruit throughout the day which introduces the children to different textures and tastes. Older children are encouraged to make healthy choices, there are often discussions around what is good for them to eat. Drinks are readily available at all times. Children get plenty of physical exercise, they enjoy regular opportunities to play in the garden, walk to the shops and to run in the park. They are taken to toddler groups where they are able and climb and explore on age appropriate apparatus. Children's personal care and preferences are recorded, their individual needs are

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Helping children to be healthy

met. The childminder has attended appropriate first aid training.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's safety is maintained with relevant safety measures in place around the home. Appropriate procedures are in place to ensure the children are kept safe and clean around the family cat. Children are beginning to be aware of their own safety, they know they need to put toys away and not to tread on them. Older children are being made aware of the importance to keep the younger children safe, for example by playing some games and doing craft activities up at the table. Children use a broad range of quality toys and resources which are clean and in good condition. When being taken out the children are taught about both personal and road safety. Strategies are in place to maintain their safety at all times, they are expected to use car seats and belts and to hold hands or to get in the buggy when crossing busy roads. Children's well-being is maintained as the childminder has documents in place to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

record any accidents and incidents. She has the relevant leaflets and information from the local child protection team to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded at all times.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. All children benefit from a wide range of learning and play opportunities. They enjoy visits and trips out as well as free play in the home. They are able to choose from a good selection of resources that are readily available and stored at low-level. Children are encouraged to make decisions about their play, they are given time to develop and extend their own ideas in a stimulating environment. The childminder takes into account the needs of the various ages of the children that she cares for when planning the weeks routines and activities. This may include ensuring some children are able to attend after school sports and activity clubs. Young children's new skills are praised and extended, as they learn to manage the rules of simple games they are encouraged to develop and try new ideas. They are encouraged to dance and sing with support and applause from their minder. Children's language is developed through the use of good quality books. For example

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the children sit and share them together, they pretend to read and they repeat the names of familiar characters and animals with confidence. Conversation is prompted at every opportunity. Children are able to retell experiences that they enjoyed earlier in the week, they know about going to the shops, what they bought and the people that they met. Children have many opportunities to play in the garden, they are able to extend their imaginations in the play house and develop their physical skills and stamina on the wide range of age appropriate ride-on and climbing toys which are available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are equally valued and included in the setting, resources are available to develop children's understanding of different cultures and family settings. The childminder is aware of the children's different characters and provides a range of activities to extend their various skills. Children show growing independence and are able to take responsibility for tidying up toys and books. They are expected to take turns and share with each other and they respond well to games of give and take. Older children learn to be patient and to be aware of the needs of younger children in the household. Children are cared for according to their parents' wishes as information is exchanged on a daily basis. Records are in place to ensure the children's individual needs are met, but they need to be kept up to date and signed by parents to ensure the information is correct in the case of an emergency.

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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 The childminder plans her week around the different needs and routines of the children in her care. Children feel secure because there are clear daily routines and they receive appropriate support in all aspects of their care and learning. Strong, trusting relationships have formed between the families and their childminder. Some arrangements have been in place for over seven years with younger siblings coming into the care of the childminder alongside the older children. The childminder has adequate documentation in place to monitor and maintain the well-being of all children. She recognises areas of child care in which she would like to extend her knowledge and has plans to attend various courses which will enhance the care provided. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection recommendations were made for the provider to ensure the children's safety in the garden. This has been done with the positioning of appropriate locks on the back gates. She was required to attend a recognised first aid course, this was done in February 2004. Documentation needed to include a daily register for the children which is now in place. Information regarding child protection procedures also needed to be updated, contact numbers for referral and booklet from the Area Child Protection Committee are now readily available.

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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 satisfactory. 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):

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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 • ensure relevant documents are completed and signed by parents, this is to make sure that information is correct in the case of an emergency.

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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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