St Peter's Catholic Primary School, Winchester

Inspection report for early years provision

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116381 Unique Reference Number 17 July 2006 Inspection date Jane Plested Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 August 1994. She lives with her husband and school age son. They live in a quiet cul-de-sac close to Amersham Old Town. Childminding takes place primarily on the ground floor; upstairs is for rests. There is an enclosed garden to the front and rear of the house available for use.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds a Nursery Nurse Examination Board Certificate, She takes and collects children from local schools. She attends the local toddler and music group and takes children to the local park and on other outings. There are four children currently on roll, one of these is over eight years.

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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 outstanding. Children enjoy a variety of activities that support their good health. They have regular access to the garden where they can use an extensive range of equipment such as a seesaw, sand pit and a small trampoline to develop increasing control of their bodies and strengthen their large muscles. Younger children push prams to learn to negotiate boundaries and older ones have access to bats and balls to develop co-ordination. They also benefit from walks in local parks and woods for fresh air and exercise.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children stay healthy because they learn the importance of good personal hygiene through well-planned daily routines such as, hand washing after toileting. The childminder supports younger children to complete these activities. She provides an environment within which very high levels of cleanliness are evident. The childminder has excellent routines to ensure toys for young children are clean and hygienic. The childminder describes effective routines for changing nappies. This good practice minimises infection amongst children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children rest and sleep according to their needs so they remain healthy. The childminder has a clear sick child policy to ensure she protects all children from infectious or contagious illness. She ensures children use sun cream before playing outside to protect them from the harmful effects of the sun.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s snacks offer good nutritional benefit; they enjoy eating apples offered by the childminder. There are effective procedures for storing food provided by parents as it is kept in separate containers, in the fridge. These excellent food hygiene procedures minimises the risk of contamination. Babies receive their milk feeds sat on the childminder’s lap to offer high levels of comfort and support. Children can continually access drinks and they are regularly reminded to do so, ensuring that they do not become thirsty and remain refreshed in hot weather.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit as the premises are safe and well-maintained. The extensive range of toys and equipment are in good condition and safe. They are age and stage appropriate for children. Some are set out to be immediately accessible and children know where to find other resources, consequently they remain occupied. The childminder closely monitors toys that are unsuitable for younger children, to reduce the risk of accident access.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Through the appropriate use of a range of safety equipment, such as cupboard locks and stair gates the childminder minimises risks of accidental injury to children. She places priority on teaching them to use equipment safely. The childminder supervises children effectively. Outside the home the childminder uses a buggy and takes steps to heighten older children’s awareness of road safety so they remain safe.

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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 Children’s well-being is important. The childminder has a good understanding of the signs that cause concern about children’s welfare and knows most of the relevant steps to protect them. There are clearly agreed procedures for the collection of children. She talks with parents about any pre-existing injuries but the childminder has not thought to keep a record of these.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very confident. They happily join in the planned activities and chatter with the childminder throughout their time in the setting. The childminder knows the children very well and offers warmth and comfort during their personal care. She is able to plan for, and support their next steps in learning for example, by developing their mobility and language skills. One child who is learning to walk receives plenty of encouragement to develop these skills and her success is enthusiastically recognised. The childminder considers a clear daily routine and planning a consistent care environment, contributes successfully in promoting a sense of security amongst children. For example, babies and toddlers always rest in the same bedroom and cot.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children experience an extensive range of activities inside the home. They enjoy a variety of creative activities. For example, they explore the properties of paint as they create handprints and feel the texture of dough as they model. During the inspection, children enjoy creating colourful drawings of butterflies and complete sticker pictures using the plentiful resources. Older children team up with younger ones to create designs on the computer. As a result, they are continually busy and well occupied.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Outside the home, they regularly visit a toddler group to socialise and experience messy play. They have fun attending a music group to enjoy and explore sound. They visit the park, woods for fresh air and exercise, and take part in planned outings further afield during the holidays for example, to Ruislip Lido to enjoy large-scale sand play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children experience a range of opportunities to help them learn about the wider world. For example, through conversations about festivals such as, Diwalli the childminder encourages them to understand differences. Play resources also show some images of differences so children lean to value diversity. Children have opportunities to learn about their local community through visits to parks and toddler groups or via occasional trips on public transport.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are effective systems to establish the individual needs of children so they receive the most appropriate levels of care. They are encouraged to become independent through the provision of equipment such as a potty in the bathroom, so they can complete tasks themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and are confident and at home. Older children respond to the childminder’s requests to help. The childminder actively encourages children to succeed and offers praise as they achieve, building their self-esteem.

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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 Systems for partnership with parents are good. The childminder has clearly thought through verbal policies which, she articulates well. She has a good range of written consents in place, with exception of one agreeing the application of sun cream. Discussion takes place about how parents can raise concerns. Consequently, parents receive detailed information about how the childminder cares for their children. References from past parents demonstrate parents value the childminder highly and state their children are happy.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a professional approach to her childminding. She organises the environment well, to provide a child centred setting, with immediate access for children to an extensive range of toys. They receive good adult support to help them achieve, feel confident and secure within the setting. The childminder has started to develop strategies for assessing her professional development. She has attended training offered by the local Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership on the Birth to three matters framework to develop her child care knowledge and she has renewed her first aid certificate to keep these skills up-to-date.

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Organisation

All records on children are professional and hold extensive information but the childminder has not thought to record details of children’s pre-existing injuries. As a result this information may not be available for future reference. The childminder manages all information on children confidentially. Most written parental agreements are in place but the childminder has not yet informed parents of the latest changes to the complaints procedures she must follow. 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 agreed to make sure that low-level mirrors are safe or inaccessible. She also agreed to ensure that all records are readily accessible and available for inspection at all times.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The low-level mirror in the lounge is fixed to the wall and the lower part is inaccessible to children as furnishing is placed in front of the glass surface. This ensures children can play safely. All records relating to childminding activities are readily accessible on the premises and available for inspection. Consequently, relevant information is immediately available, for example in the case of an emergency involving children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder informed Ofsted of a complaint received from a parent on 16th June 2005. This related to National Standard 11 Behaviour and Standard 1 Suitability. An unannounced inspection was carried out on 17th June 2005. Discussion with the childminder confirmed an appropriate Behaviour Management policy is in place. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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Complaints 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 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): • update the complaints procedures and make sure a record is maintained of children's pre-existing injuries.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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