St Anne's RC Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 129488 Inspection date 17 June 2005 Inspector Sheila Harrison

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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 and two teenage children in Hemel Hempstead. The property is a three bedroom terraced house with off road parking to the front and a secure garden to the rear. It is situated in a residential area close to shops, parks and schools. The child minding takes place on the ground floor with the children having use of the lounge, kitchen, dining room and garden. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She runs the local parent/toddler group and takes the children on outings to the park and other facilities.

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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 is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding five children all of whom attend on a part-time or full time basis. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and with English as an additional language. The family has a pet dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are learning how to keep themselves healthy because the childminder follows current and appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidance having obtained a food hygiene and first aid certificates. Children are encouraged to learn simple good health and hygiene practices. They know to wash their hands before eating and can relay the importance of washing their hands after touching animals. The childminder is well informed about each child's health with suitable documentation from the parents, including permission for emergency medical treatment and records of accidents. Children have undertaken projects on healthy eating and improvements have been made to their diet to include more fruit and vegetables. The childminder takes account of the wishes of the parent and the children’s preferences. Children have adequate amounts of physical exercise, walking to and from the local

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Helping children to be healthy

school and frequent trips to the park or farm. They enjoy playing and exploring in the well equipped garden. There are sufficient chances for children to rest and sleep in peaceful surroundings. Older children can take a short nap if they are tired or on a hot day.

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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 comfortable and welcoming home where risks are identified and minimised. This means children are able to move around safely, freely and independently including the well organised garden. Children choose from a sufficient range of resources kept in good order and appropriate for their developmental needs. They are encouraged to use resources safely. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe. Children can explain the need to hold hands and stop, look, listen when crossing roads. They are currently doing a theme on the benefits of walking to school which also gives information on the benefits of a healthy diet and sufficient exercise. Children are aware of safety in the sun and apply sun cream and wear hats. The childminder has a range of information on safety in the sun for the parents giving a consistent message to the children. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder has a secure understanding of the child protection procedures. Parents are made aware of the duty to report concerns and there are suitable recording systems for accidents and incidents.

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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. Children become independent as they choose between a variety of toys and activities. They are happy and achieving with valuable first-hand learning experiences. Children grow their own plants including strawberries and nasturtiums. They follow planting instructions using non fiction books. Children become fully involved in interesting and useful planned activities. They enjoy painting, sticking, colouring worksheets, musical books and role play in the garden. Children have completed a project on walking to school and healthy eating. The childminder has an awareness of the Birth to three framework. She informally notes the child’s development and adapts activities to suit the younger children encouraging their confidence and enthusiasm to learn.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children enjoy mutually respectful relationships with the childminder and each other. They develop self esteem and confidence as the childminder offers a long term commitment to the children and family. She has a high regard for the welfare of the children and their likes and dislikes are respected. Children are well behaved. They know what is expected of them as the childminder uses a range of positive behaviour management strategies such as stickers and appropriate praise. Children show care and concern for each other and comment on how brave a younger child was. They are developing a growing awareness of the wider world whilst celebrating festivals at the local parent and toddler groups. They are involved in decision making when planning outings and activities to the farm. Children are encouraged to feel good about themselves as they take part in raising funds for children’s charities and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

proudly display the certificates and medals they achieve.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at ease within a well organised environment. Policies and procedures are used effectively and shared with parents. There are valuable and systematic links between the parents, school and childminder. Children are supported whilst doing their homework. They read to the childminder, learn their words and she comments in the school/home diary. This contributes to the continuity of the children’s care. Many complementary references are available for parents. There are adequate systems of recording and children are fully supervised by trusted adults, however the childminder has overlooked the requirement to ensure all adults living in the house are suitably vetted. Checks are now in progress. Overall the children’s needs are met.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved the children's diet. She encourages the children to try new tastes and the children have been growing their own fruit and vegetables from seeds. They have undertaken a project on healthy eating. The childminder has developed positive behaviour management techniques involving rewarding the children with appropriate praise and stickers.

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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 Ofsted is informed of significant changes at the earliest opportunity.

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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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