The London Oratory School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 100365 Inspection date 26 January 2006 Inspector Judith Reed

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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 1995. She lives with her husband and three school age children in a house in the Throop area of Bournemouth. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She is currently minding four children at various times throughout the week. The childminder walks to local schools and pre schools to take and collect children. She attends a local toddler group and an activity session for children. The family has a pet

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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 dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy frequent opportunities for physical exercise and have an interesting walk around the locality everyday. They go out for walks with the dog, as well as to local fields to see the cows and horses or feed the ducks at the pond. They often take a detour on the way home from school and pre-school to include visiting the animals. The childminder understands the importance of physical play and encourages further physical development by taking the children to an activity play session once a week where they climb and slide. Children also have many opportunities to play in the garden during fine weather. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they begin to learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Children are encouraged to wash their hands regularly throughout the day after playing with the dog, using the toilet and before meals. Individual kitchen roll sheets are provided for hand drying in the

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Helping children to be healthy

downstairs toilet. The childminder follows most good hygiene routines when changing nappies, although she does not wear disposable gloves and children may be at risk of cross infection. Children are offered regular drinks throughout the day and the childminder is very aware of the requirements of young children and those who are unwell. Parents provide packed lunches at the current time. The childminder is aware of the allergies and dietary needs of the children in her care, ensuring they remain safe at all times.

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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 safe and secure environment where they are able to move freely both indoors and outside in the garden. The front door is kept locked ensuring good security at all times and the rear garden is fully fenced and secure. All children can be safely evacuated from the premises immediately and the necessary smoke alarms and fire blanket are in place. The childminder no longer places children to sleep upstairs so all children can be evacuated quickly and easily. At the current time fire evacuation practice is not recorded and evaluated to continue to improve the routine. The childminder is aware of most potential hazards and takes appropriate steps to keep children safe. Socket covers are in place around the home and cleaning materials are stored safely. A low level glass mirror in the hall is not currently made safe. Children are kept safe when outside the home and the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder is particularly aware of safety issues, using reins, pushchairs and suitable car seats when necessary. Children are offered a wide range of suitable toys and activities. They are able to

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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 access toys from storage in the conservatory and are encouraged to join in activities. The childminder ensures all toys are safe and that they are cleaned regularly. She is particularly careful regarding suitable toys for very young children and helps older children learn about safety issues. The childminder provides a range of equipment including a travel cot, pushchairs, booster seats and a high chair. Children are happy when they are with the childminder as she has all the necessary equipment to keep them comfortable and safe. Children are protected through the childminder's knowledge of child protection issues. The childminder understands her professional duty to protect children which promotes their safety and welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children have many opportunities to choose their own activities from accessible storage where a comprehensive range of safe and suitable toys are available. Children enjoy the choice of free play activities including a range of suitable puzzles and books. Younger children play with stacking cups and bricks, building towers and hiding smaller cups. They instigate games of hide and seek with the smaller cups. Children are confident and very happy with the childminder who knows them well and comforts them when they are unwell. The childminder helps younger children learn through play activities, and she names shapes and colours. Children enjoy frequent opportunities to play with sand and water in the garden. They have regular opportunities to take part in painting and glue activities as well as play dough. The childminder carefully plans a theme to encourage children to think about different

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

subjects and learn through their play. The current theme is motivating the children to think about their bodies. They have created a number of paintings which are displayed in the lounge. Parts of the body are labelled and children learn to appreciate similarities and differences. Children particularly relish cooking activities and take home their produce to share with their families. The childminder uses recipes which allow children to be independent and safely use the microwave as much as possible. Children learn to take turns when playing games and to share resources such as the garage and the marble run. They enjoy frequent outings to places of interest such as the beach, garden centre and parks as well as daily walks around the local area where they learn about and observe the natural world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued as individuals and the childminder ensures she gets to know the children very well. The childminder has limited experience of caring for children with special needs but has a positive attitude towards special needs and would work closely with parents and outside agencies to ensure children's individual needs are met.

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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 Children benefit from using a range of toys and books which reflect diversity. They play with dolls, small world figures and puzzles which show people from other cultures. The children develop an understanding of diversity through the range of toys and books available as well as through the planned themes such as bodies and faces. They learn to appreciate and value differences and similarities. The childminder continues to build on the range of toys and books available for children. Children generally behave very well. The childminder encourages children to say please and thank you and explains appropriate behaviour. Children are also encouraged to join in activities and share toys and games. The childminder remains with children at all times and talks to them calmly explaining appropriate behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has built a very good open relationship with parents who trust her to care for their children. Parents are aware of the complaints procedure and clearly state that the children are in safe and caring hands. All necessary documentation is completed by parents and the childminder ensures confidential accident record sheets are signed as necessary. The childminder gives parents regular feedback concerning their children as well as a comprehensive, personal, photographic record every year.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children and parents feel at home in the well organised environment. Children are regularly taken to toddler group and activity sessions as well as frequent outings. The childminder makes overall plans and themes for children's play but remains flexible concerning children's activities. She ensure she remains within her registered numbers at all times, although the register is not always up to date and accurate which is a breach of regulations. Children are cared for by an experienced child carer. The childminder has completed an initial training course and ensures she keep her first aid training up to date. All necessary checks have been completed. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. All necessary documentation is in place and the childminder is very aware of the confidentiality of this information. Accident records are made on individual sheets and

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Organisation

stored safely with the children's personal records.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was recommended to increase the range of toys giving positive images of culture, disability and gender, as well as improving fire evacuation procedures to include children asleep upstairs. The childminder has purchased a number of small world play people of different cultures and ages as well as books and puzzles showing diversity. She continues to build on this range of toys. The childminder has thought carefully about fire evacuation procedures and children no longer sleep upstairs making swift evacuation easier with young children.

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Improvements 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

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since April 2004. 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): • ensure that adequate measures are taken to protect children from cross infection during nappy changes • ensure children remain safe at all times by making safe all low level glass, and practising and recording fire evacuation procedure • ensure register is up to date and accurate at all times.

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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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