St Gregory's RC Middle School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 129770 Inspection date 13 February 2006 Inspector Suman Willis

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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 satisfactory. 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 1 son aged 10 years in Abbots Langley. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes, there is access to two bedrooms upstairs for undisturbed sleep and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for five children under the age of eight years and currently minds one child full time. The childminder has two cats, a rabbit, one fish and two dogs as pets.

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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 an active member the local childminding group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are taken out for daily walks to and from school and visit the park. They competently walk around the furniture pushing a pretend buggy and kick a soft ball to one another. Therefore, children are receiving regular fresh air and are developing their physical skills. Children know to wash their hands after using the toilet and are familiar with the routine of cleaning teeth after meals, therefore their understanding of maintaining simple hygiene practices is promoted. Their health needs are generally met as procedures for administering medication and emergency aid are in place. However, the medication administered is not recorded, therefore children's health needs are not always monitored. Children are well nourished and eat healthy snacks, as they ask for a banana with ease. They are able to access drinks freely which are left out on the table, and as a consequence understand when they are thirsty. Children's

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Helping children to be healthy

individual dietary needs are met through discussions between the childminder and parents, and any allergies and specific needs are included in the children's details.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a welcoming environment where age appropriate toys are within easy reach. This enables them to make independent choices and engage in a wide range of play. Children's safety is respected and most safety measures such as stair gate and socket covers are in place. However, the risk assessments must be thorough and incorporate all areas to ensure that children can play in a safe and secure environment at all times. Children are learning to keep themselves safe as the childminder reinforces safety rules such as sitting at the table to eat, and placing hot drinks out of reach while explaining to children why. They learn about road safety as they walk to and from school. Parents' permission to take children on outings ensures that the parents can decide the suitability of the outing. Children are protected by the childminder's basic knowledge of child protection procedures and all adults over the age of 16 years are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are very settled in the childminder's care and feel that they are a part of the family. They have developed a strong relationship with the childminder's son and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 delight in his company as they play with the ball and he chases. They enjoy being creative using glitter and sweet wrappers for their collage. Children engage happily in free play with a wide range of pretend toys such as taking dolly for a walk or lining up a set of cars. Children receive support and guidance as they engage in activities. They are offered praise and encouragement. For example, the child beams and continues with her collage as the childminder says how clever she is by guessing the correct colour. Children and adults work well together and the childminder ensures that children enjoy other children's company by visiting childminding groups and other friends with children. This also encourages children to learn to share and play co-operatively with each other. Children's individual needs are met as the childminder shares information

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

with parents to enable her to change her routine in line with children's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for by a childminder who seeks information about children's ethnic background and any specific needs, thus enabling the childminder to meet each child's individual needs. Children learn about their environment through outdoor play and are developing their knowledge of their community through walks to the school and park. They all have equal access to all resources and positive images of people are promoted through books, dolls and small pretend people. Children are respectful and learn to be polite as they say please and thank you. The childminder has developed a very good relationship with the children. Children enjoy sharing information about their home life as they sit on the settee. They work well together sharing ideas of how they are going to line up the toy cars as they take them out of the shopping trolley. Children benefit from the relationship developed

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Helping children make a positive contribution

between the childminder and parents. The childminder offers continuity of care as she prepares to take on a sibling. This enables both parents and children to feel secure.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for by a childminder who is appropriately qualified and is pro-active in accessing resources such as the 'Birth to three matters' framework to enhance her practice. Therefore, children are cared for by some one who has knowledge and understanding of childcare and gives regards to children's well-being. Children receive appropriate attention as the childminder organises herself and her home by adapting routines and activities so that all children's individual needs are met. All required documents are available, although not updated. The childminder endeavours to provide a safe environment for children. However, there are areas that are not fully assessed for safety, therefore children could be at harm, and their health needs not monitored.

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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 provision meets the needs of those children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has updated her first aid training and developed her first aid materials. She has also ensured that her fire blanket is now readily accessible, and all low-level windows are made safe for children. All these aspects help in supporting children's safety and well-being, however, there are further safety issues requiring action. The childminder has improved information for parents by ensuring they have details of the regulating body, they are now able to contact Ofsted with any queries, compliments or concerns.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Their 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 satisfactory. 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 written records are kept of medicines administered to children and signed by parents • ensure that hazards to children on the premises, both inside and outside, are minimised.

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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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