St Margaret's Church of England Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 138850 Inspection date 24 March 2006 Inspector Claudia Padfield

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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 registered in 2000. She lives with her husband and two children in Wokingham. The house is within walking distance of local facilities including pre-school, primary school, shops and park and is near main road and rail links. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor for childminding, with rest and toilet facilities within this space. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. She takes children to the local library and parks. The childminder may care for 5 children under 8 years and is currently minding 2

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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 children under 5 years of age. The family has no pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows sound procedures and practices that contribute to their emotional and physical well-being. From an early age, children learn the importance of hygiene, through good levels of support and effective daily routines. This helps them to become increasingly independent in their personal care as they attend to their own basic care needs for example washing faces and hands after lunch. The childminder ensures children are well protected from infection and are well taken care of if they have an accident or become ill. Arrangements for first aid and administration of medication meet all requirements and successfully protect the children in her care. Children receive nutritious balanced meals and snacks appropriate to the individual needs. The childminder works closely with the parents who provide the main meal to ensure the children have a good variety and experience of foods. Healthy snacks are

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Helping children to be healthy

offered throughout the minding day and children are learning the importance of good manners when eating at the table through careful support and encouragement from childminder. The childminder actively encourages children to be healthy and active through good levels of support and supervision. Children take part in regular physical play both indoors and out, this promotes a healthy lifestyle.

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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 secure environment and the childminder minimises all risks successfully, to safeguard children. The childminder organises her premises so children can move freely and safely access toys of choice. Toys are regularly checked and rotated to ensure they are in good repair and will sustain the children's interest. Children present make their needs and wishes known and select the toys and equipment, moving freely and self selecting their play experiences. Children are learning how to protect themselves and the childminder explains why she completes these tasks for example why the straps on high chair stop them from falling out. Close supervision when they go out within the community means the children are also well protected in and out of the home. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a selection of policies and procedures to support

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

her in the day to day care of the children, she reviews these at regular intervals to account for the changing development of the minded children. The childminder has undertaken further child protection training to extend her knowledge and this means

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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 she can act in the child's best interest, should she have a concern

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled, they are involved in a good range of activities which support and challenge their development. Children have a range of resources that are easily accessible to encourage independence and curiosity. They enjoy selecting toys of choice and engaging the childminder in their activity, for example acting out the actions after a music class using a pom pom. The childminder joins in actively encouraging the children to sing along with the words and praising them as they complete the correct actions. She knows the minded children well and fosters good levels of self esteem and confidence. Good relationships are clearly evident and children benefit from a strong partnership with parents, as the childminder considers and ensures individual routines are valued and consistently adhered to. They receive lots of warmth , care and attention to support their emotional well-being. This is giving them increased confidence to try

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

new experiences and acquire new skills. Daily diaries and time spent verbally updating parents ensure parents are well informed of children's progress and activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children benefit as the childminder treats them with equal concern, valuing and respecting their individuality. They have access to a good range of resources that reflect diversity and acknowledge cultural differences. Children settle quickly as the childminder successfully meets their differing needs and individual routines in accordance with parents' wishes. Children behave well and are learning how to co operate and consider the needs and wishes of others. They have a growing sense of right and wrong, which through the consistent approach to behaviour management ensures care is consistent with home. Children enjoy high levels of praise and positive interaction; the childminder uses open questions and gives the children time to think and make choices developing a good sense of their own being. Children grow from the excellent partnership with parents, open lines of communication are valued and parents receive supporting documentation to use for

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Helping children make a positive contribution

reference. Children are confident and settled therefore the successful partnership promotes the children's well being and care.

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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 The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child development and demonstrates a high regard for the well being of children in her care. The organised and welcoming environment enables the children to feel at home and gives them the confidence to initiate their own play. Children are protected by secure systems and close supervision from the childminder who will extend her knowledge by seeking further training to improve outcomes for children. Clear well written documentation supports the childminder in her day to day routines. She plans a variety of activities and outings to stimulate and challenge the children referring to the Birth to Three Mattes Framework for ideas. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to ensure confidentiality is maintained when recording significant incidences and to ensure children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practise. She was also asked to ensure any potential hazards are inaccessible to the children. The childminder uses National Childminding Association documentation and ensures that confidentiality is considered to protect the children whom she cares for. She has now purchased a range of age appropriate toys that represent a range of differing races and cultures. These are easily accessible to the minded children and through regular trips into the local community; these systems enable the minded children to widen their experience. She has now implemented regular risk assessments and these ensure any potential hazards are inaccessible.

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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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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 To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • Continue to enhance outcomes for children by updating and attending further training to develop her professional practise.

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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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