St Christopher's School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 121228 Inspection date 28 September 2005 Inspector Patricia Jane Daniels

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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 1993. She lives with her husband and two older children in a house in a residential area of Staines. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. There is a bedroom available on the first floor for sleeping children, if required. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding three, all of whom attend on a part time basis.

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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 walks to local schools to take and collect children. She takes children to the local library and park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean home. The childminder provides individual towels and bedding for each child to minimise potential cross infection. She has suitable hand washing procedures in place to help children learn about good hygiene. She shares her sick child policy with parents, so that children who are unwell are cared for appropriately. She does not hold a current first aid certificate, which could have implications when children receive first aid treatment. Parents provide food for children. The childminder provides some snacks and light meals with healthy options included to encourage children to eat a healthy diet. Drinking water is available at all times and the childminder encourages children to drink more in hot weather. The childminder takes children out for a daily walk, so that they benefit from regular exercise. The daily routine also ensures that children have opportunities for rest,

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Helping children to be healthy

contributing to their physical well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder offers a homely environment for children. She uses a the conservatory or a bedroom on the first floor for sleeping children, giving opportunities for rest in a quiet, secure area. The childminder considers children's safety at all times. She has taken steps to minimise identified risks within her home and gives a high priority to children's safety when she takes them on outings. She encourages children to become aware of road safety, so that they develop awareness themselves. Children are protected from abuse and their welfare is promoted because the childminder understands her role regarding child protection. She is aware of possible signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect. She understands the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child and informs parents of her responsibilities in this area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a warm, positive relationship with the childminder, which helps them to be settled and confident in her care. The close relationship offered by the childminder

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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 helps the children to develop the skills needed for communication. The childminder uses signing with young children to further support communication. She takes the children to visit friends and meet other children, which helps to develop their social skills. The childminder offers some activities to promote children's development in all areas. She joins in with children's play and includes numbers and colours when playing, to enhance the children's learning in this area. Children have access to a variety of activities and toys, although there are some limitations to the range available and the system of display for children's selection. As a result, children sometimes have reduced opportunities to make independent choices about what to do.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder encourages children to learn good manners and about sharing and negotiation with others. This helps the children to develop respect and consideration for others. The childminder endorses the children's good behaviour with praise and sometimes offers rewards as further support. She ignores unwanted behaviour as much as possible and sets boundaries for acceptable behaviour. As a result, the children's self-esteem is promoted and they develop an understanding of what is expected of them. The childminder makes time for daily conversations with parents and supplements this with a written diary sheet giving some information about the day's routine. She finds out about children's needs through these conversations with parents and from her observations of the children. The childminder uses this information to help her provide a routine that meets the children's needs. A positive relationship with parents

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Helping children make a positive contribution

is fostered; this helps to promote the children's wellbeing.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children benefit from the homely environment offered by the childminder and are settled and confident in her care. The childminder has not undertaken any training to update her knowledge of current childminding practice and reinforce her provision. Regulatory requirements are met and the documentation relating to the safety, welfare and health of the children is in place, except for some written consent for medication. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, Ofsted asked the childminder to record accurate times of children's attendance. This is now in place, detailing when children are on the premises and minded. Ofsted asked for a complaints procedure to be provided, this

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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 is now available so that parents are aware of the procedure. Ofsted also asked for written parental consent to be obtained to take children's photographs, seek emergency treatment and for outings. This consent is now in place, so that children are cared for in these areas according to parents' wishes.

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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): • obtain and maintain an up to date first aid certificate and ensure written parental consent is obtained for administering all medication • develop the range of resources and activities available for children to provide a wider range and offer further opportunities for children to make independent choices • develop further knowledge of current childminding practice through the training opportunities available.

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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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