Holy Family Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 122820 Inspection date 09 January 2006 Inspector Catherine Greenwood

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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 has registered since 1983. She is currently minding 1 child aged 20 months. She lives with her 2 children aged 21 and 4 years. They live in a house in Wandsworth. Children have access to the sitting room, adjoining kitchen breakfast room, downstairs toilet and fully enclosed garden. The family has a cat and goldfish. The childminder attends toddler groups on a regular basis. She is registered as a foster carer and specialist childminder for Wandsworth Council. She has a National

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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 Vocational Qualification level 3 qualification in childcare.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have nutritious meals because the childminder has a written menu which she shares with parents, and adapts according to children's individual dietary needs and their likes and dislikes. They benefit from healthy snacks such as fresh fruit and gain independence through helping themselves to drinks of water from an accessible jug on a small table in the kitchen. Children develop physical skills because the childminder takes children to the local playground twice a week where they use the large equipment and learn to climb and slide. She also visits the common during the summer time and when collecting children from school. Children are protected from cross infection because the childminder follows good hygiene practice when changing children's nappies and ensures children wash their hands at appropriate times, for example after handling animals. The childminder also has a clear written

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Helping children to be healthy

sick child policy which she gives to parents before children start, and attended additional training on infection control in the home. The childminder's first aid certificate has expired.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe and move freely around the home because the childminder checks the areas used for childminding, uses safety gates on the stairs and the playroom, and is observant of where the children are at all times. She has a good awareness of safety issues and checks the toys once a week. This means that children have access to well maintained play equipment. Children are kept safe on outings because the childminder uses appropriate equipment, and helps them to learn about road safety, for example, by waiting at crossings, pressing the button, and waiting for the green man. Children are protected from risk of fire because the childminder has a clear emergency evacuation plan, a fire blanket and a smoke alarm on each level. However she has not practised the evacuation procedure which means that children are not familiar with what to do in the event of a fire. Children's

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

welfare is safeguarded and promoted because the childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children show great interest in the play equipment. They develop independence within their play because the childminder has a wide range of interesting and age appropriate toys, which are easily accessible for children to choose. Children play purposefully, and the childminder sets up activities and joins in their play. They learn

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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 how to use the play equipment because the childminder shows children how to use the resources successfully. Children handle and explore living creatures because the childminder provides equipment for them to collect snails in the garden, and talks to them about the chain of life, how to look after animals and be kind to them. Younger children are provided with a wide range of experiences because the childminder has completed birth to three matters and child development training, which means that children are provided with challenging play opportunities and different kinds of activities and games. They play imaginatively in the childminders home, for example by pushing the pretend buggy, and talking to 'mummy' on the play phone. Children benefit from socialising with others and taking part in activities during

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are well met because the childminder knows them well, treats them as individuals, and develops positive relationships with parents and other agencies. Children benefit because the childminder ensures that parents understand her role, and the boundaries for the placement in relation to working with social services. The childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding of children's emotional and behavioural needs. Children learn to share the childminders attention because she explains to them about sharing her time and the opportunities for cuddles. They learn right from wrong because the childminder stays close to children who display difficult behaviour, sets clear boundaries, and adapts the methods she uses according to children's individual needs. She praises children for good behaviour and uses star charts, which encourages children to behave well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about differences because the childminder has very good range of accessible resources which reflect positive images, such as disabled people in the dolls house and books. Children learn about themselves and the roles of different people through books, activities, and visits. The childminder is happy to look after children with special needs, and has a good knowledge of what to do if she is worried about a child's development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the well organised and child friendly environment where they is a very good range of accessible play equipment. They feel at home and at ease in the childminders home, which means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder uses one of the bedrooms upstairs as a play room during the afternoons which means children have the opportunity to use different toys and areas of the home. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare care and learning of children, for example, children's developmental progress is monitored because the childminder completes developmental check lists with parents. Information for parents is clearly displayed in the childminders home. Children's records and contract agreement details are

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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 regularly shared and updated with parents and other appropriate agencies. This contributes to continuity in the children's care. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection, the childminder has improved children's safety by fitting a working smoke alarm on the first floor of the home. In addition, she has established a system to record parental consent for prescribed medication administration, obtained parent signatures when children have accidents, and ensured that confidential records are not seen by other parents.

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Complaints 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. There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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 first aid certificate • practise the fire evacuation procedure with the children

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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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