St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Reddish

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 136430 Inspection date 29 November 2005 Inspector Sue Hill

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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 2 children aged 13 and 15 years in Chipping Sodbury, South Gloucestershire. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a rabbit and a guinea pig. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children. She is currently minding 2 children under 5 years part-time during the day and 3 children over 5 years before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She also cares for children over 8 years of age. The childminder attends the

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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 local parent/toddler group and takes children on outings.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home, where their health is actively promoted through well established daily hygiene routines and effective practice. The management of pets and regular cleaning routines ensures that children play in a hygienic environment which minimises risk of infection. The childminder's clear sickness policy ensures children are protected from infection. She holds a current first aid certificate. She appropriately manages accidents and the administration of medication, and shares the records with parents, but she lacks permission from parents to seek emergency medical aid. Children are able to enjoy a range of physical activities through using the childminder’s well equipped garden. There are regular visits to the park and playgrounds to further develop their physical skills. All are able to rest and be active according to their needs. Children have drinks easily available throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents provide the childrens' food, and the childminder is also willing to provide meals by arrangement. Meals times are social occasions, as all children sit together at the table and talk to each other and the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move around freely as they are cared for in a spacious, well maintained home where risks have been identified and minimised. Children are relaxed and safe in the warm and welcoming environment. The ground floor is organised to meet children's needs with furniture placed to the side of the rooms to provide a large play space. Many of the clean and safe resources are kept in this area in tubs and on low-level shelving and children are able to help themselves. Children's interest is sustained by regularly providing new resources which take into consideration each child’s stage of development. They independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children’s choice of toys to make sure they are appropriate for their age and stage of development. The childminder is aware of potential hazards outside the home and puts appropriate

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

measures in place so that children are safe. Children learn to protect themselves as they are taught road safety and not to talk to strangers. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised through the childminder's use of effective safety measures. The childminder has all the required documents in place to ensure that the children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted; for example, her good understanding of the contents of the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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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 settle well, have fun and enjoy being at the childminder’s house, they are confident and enjoy the activities available to them. The childminder is friendly and welcoming. She understands how to help children learn through practical activities. This enables them to practise and develop their skills. She promotes the language development well through her constant interaction and conversation with the children. They confidently use their language skills and gestures to communicate thoughts, feelings and needs to each other and the childminder. They relate appropriately to each other and are starting to socialise with other children, regularly attending the local toddler group. Children make sound and steady progress. The childminder is aware of each child’s individual stage of development. She gives them the time and opportunity to do things for themselves and offers encouragement so that they become more independent. They are happily and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

actively occupied. The childminder is beginning to use the Birth to Three Matters framework, and is in the early stages of planning and assessing children's learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a good range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world, enabling children to learn positively about differences. She has dolls, books, puzzles and games depicting positive images of difference. These are readily available to the children, and are used regularly to support children in learning respect for individuality. Children attend toddler groups where there is a wide range of families from many backgrounds, so children learn positively about different lifestyles. They learn about their local community as they go on routine outings to the local park. Each child is special as their individual needs are met. This is achieved through discussion with parents and the childminder's understanding of each child's stage of development and how to encourage this. Children show care and concern for each other and play together harmoniously. They behave very well, encouraged by the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder's use of positive praise. The childminder provides clear, consistent boundaries and has a proactive approach to behaviour management. She ensures there are sufficient toys so that children can have one each, such as dolls' buggies. She anticipates potential conflict and skilfully diverts children's attention; for example, when two children want to play with the same toy. Positive, friendly relationships with parents promote an informal exchange of information about children’s development. They are welcomed into the home and at the end of the day there is a two-way discussion so that both parties are fully aware of what is happening in a child's life. Where there are specific concerns relating to a child, details are discussed and a common strategy is adopted so that children do not receive mixed messages.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The children feel at home and at ease as the childminder organises her time to give the children individual attention. She provides an inviting environment so that children move around without being inhibited and confidently help themselves to toys they wish to play with. Good routine enables the childminder to provide a high level of support and to maximise the time she spends playing with children. The childminder's policies and procedures are discussed with parents and she works closely with them so children experience continuity of care. All relevant documentation with contributes to children's health, safety and wellbeing is accurate and up to date and shared with parents. Most of the required parental permissions to protect the children's welfare are in place.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has met the three recommendations made at the last inspection. She has updated her copy of the local Area Child Protection Procedures, ensuring that children are protected. Her hallway is now free from hazards, further ensuring childrens' safety, and she has developed her behaviour management strategies in line with current practice.

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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 the 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):

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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 children are cared for according to parents’ wishes by obtaining written parental permission to seek emergency medical aid • extend assessment and planning to further promote the younger children's learning through use of Birth to Three Matters framework.

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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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