St Pius X Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 112365 Inspection date 08 November 2005 Inspector Jacqueline, Ann Connell

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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 1990. She is registered to care for six children under 8 years of whom no more than three may be under 5 years and, of these, not more than 1 may be under 1 year. She does not provide overnight care. She is currently caring for two full time, and two part time pre-school children, She lives with her three adult daughters in a four bed roomed, modern house situated in the South Ham area of Basingstoke. It is close to shops schools and parks. The family does not keep pets.

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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 Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor where there are toilet facilities. The rooms on the first floor are mainly used for sleeping purposes although children sometimes go upstairs at the invitation of the minder's own children. The children play in the enclosed rear garden. The childminder walks children to and from local schools and pre-schools. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and the local childminding network. She has an NVQ level 3 in childcare and the certificate for Extended Childminding Practice (ECP).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive on the vast range of stimulating experiences, which actively contribute to their good health. Most days they spend time outside and thoroughly enjoy the extensive variety of activities which help them gain control of their bodies, for example they dig in the garden, ride on the wheeled toys or go for a walk. They develop and practise their physical skills, such as climbing and balancing, when they play with the exciting equipment in the child-centred garden or visit one of the local parks and playgrounds. They have great fun when they visit the local activity centre, or the pre-school session at the ice-skating rink, where they experience different challenges to help extend their physical development. As they dance, jump up and down or learn to roll over on the floor of the lounge, they discover how exercise affects their bodies. Children are confident to try out new skills and to set their own

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Helping children to be healthy

limits because the childminder offers extremely appropriate activities and exceptionally high levels of support. Children are cared for in a clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene through skilfully managed discussion with the childminder and excellent daily routines. They show a keen desire to become independent in their personal care and know, for instance, that they must wash their hands before eating or after using the toilet in order to stop germs from spreading. Individual towels for each child help reduce the risk of cross infection. Children benefit from the excellent procedures, which encourage their good health. They have daily opportunities for rest and quiet times, in line with their parent's wishes and have frequent drinks throughout the day in order to keep well hydrated. They thoroughly enjoy mealtimes when they all sit down together and have relaxed and friendly conversations, which encourage their social skills. They learn about

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Helping children to be healthy

healthy eating through discussion and activities, such as growing vegetables in the garden. The childminder fully understands the children's individual dietary requirements and provides them with nutritious snacks and meals. She has very good procedures for storing food supplied by parents to ensure the children's good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

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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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, child-centred home where the childminder identifies all risks and minimises hazards. This means children are able to move around very safely, freely and independently which helps to develop their confidence. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and to maintaining children's safety outside the home. For example, they know how to keep safe near roads and learn about fire safety when they practise the emergency evacuation procedures with the childminder. Children independently select their own toys from the broad range of good quality, stimulating toys and play materials, which meet safety standards. They remain free from harm because the childminder checks the equipment regularly to ensure it is safe and clean. Children play with toys, which are appropriate for their age and stage of development, as she closely supervises their choice of equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder consistently applies her clear policies and procedures to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children. For example, she holds a current first aid certificate and has a very good awareness of her professional duty to protect children. She understands the child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children settle extremely well at the childminder's house and new children benefit from the very effective settling in procedures. All children enter enthusiastically and eagerly become involved in their play. They are exceptionally confident in their relationship with the childminder whose warmth and consistent high levels of support and encouragement makes them feel very welcome and relaxed. They find the calm atmosphere which is created by the childminder's gentle manner, extremely re-assuring. Children become independent as they choose from the extensive selection of toys and equipment, which provide excellent challenge and cover all their developmental needs. Extremely well planned activities stimulate and extend their learning and creative skills. For instance, they thoroughly enjoy a nature walk and sometimes conclude this by eagerly helping to gather materials to build a wig-wam. Children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

spend their time very purposefully and are completely engrossed as they experience activities such as cooking, preparing food for the birds or painting a picture. Numerous opportunities to make choices encourage their independence and decision making skills. These vary from deciding when they need a drink to selecting from the wide range of art materials for their creative work. Children relate extremely well to one another and show a great delight in being together. They learn to socialise with other children and adults through regular attendance at local toddler groups. They develop their imagination and communication skills as they share in spontaneous discussions with the childminder

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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 who stimulates conversation with skilful, thought provoking questions and suggestions. Children thoroughly enjoy looking at books and eagerly join in nursery rhymes and action songs. Children under 3 years benefit from the childminder's clear understanding of the needs of very young children. Their knowledge of the world is greatly enhanced by the rich variety of materials she provides for them, such as a treasure basket, and their communication skills develop as a result of her excellent interaction.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children feel highly valued and respected as individuals because the childminder knows them exceptionally well and has excellent strategies which ensure she includes each child and meets any specific needs. They respond especially well to her warm praise and encouragement. Children show kindness, consideration and respect to one another and play harmoniously together. They behave extremely well because of the consistent, realistic expectations and the childminder's calm and respectful manner. Carefully selected stories and discussion about inappropriate behaviour help to increase their understanding of right and wrong. Children develop independence and a sense of responsibility because the childminder gives them simple tasks, such as tidying away toys. Children have frequent opportunities to increase their awareness and understanding of other people through stimulating activities and resources, such as small world

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Helping children make a positive contribution

equipment and dressing-up clothes, which promote a positive view of the wider world. They learn about different cultures through discussion and a variety of activities, which include making food from other countries and celebrating festivals, such as Christmas and Diwali. They have extensive opportunities to learn about their local community as they go to the park, the library or the shops. The childminder works in extremely close partnership with parents to ensure she is respecting their wishes for the care of their child and is supporting their child's learning. She actively seeks their views about their child's interests and needs before the child starts at her setting and, once started, continues to have in depth daily discussion and feedback with them. She completes a daily diary for each child so parents have a very clear picture of progress. She gives parents copies of her comprehensive policies and procedures to ensure they understand how she works

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Helping children make a positive contribution

with the children and how she manages her time. Children benefit greatly from the excellent relationship which grows between the parents and childminder because they work closely together to ensure the best outcome for the child.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel secure and comfortable in the homely, organised environment. They are familiar with the daily routine, which is sensitive to their needs and links closely with

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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 their home routine. The childminder organises her time extremely well in order to meet the needs of the range of children. She makes weekly plans but is flexible with her arrangements and always considers the children and parent's individual requirements. She skilfully provides a good balance of activities with periods for rest and quiet play and ensures all children feel included and have opportunities for play that is appropriate for their age. Children benefit from the childminder's enthusiasm, professional attitude and strong commitment to her work. The childminder is a member of the childminding network and meets with other childminders in order to exchange ideas and improve her practice. She is committed to further training and is keen to increase her knowledge of the Birth to Three Matters material in order to enhance the care she provides for

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Organisation

very young children. She shares her policies and procedures with parents and uses them effectively to ensure the children's needs are met. She has the required documentation in place in order to promote the children's health and welfare and stores all the children's records securely so that the information is kept confidential. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children who attend

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain written consent from parents for taking the children out in her car. She now has written consent from every parent for transporting children in the car. This measure contributes to the safety and welfare 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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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 MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • increase knowledge of the Birth to Three Matters material

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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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