St Gabriel & Raphael R.C.P. School

Inspection report for early years provision

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401265 Unique Reference Number 10 May 2006 Inspection date Lindsay Helen Dobson Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 outstanding. 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 been registered since 2001. She lives with her husband and their four daughters aged 14, 12 and 6-year-old twins. They live on a farm on the outskirts of Easingwold. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and consists of a lounge, dining kitchen, two toilets and two bedrooms. There is an enclosed and secure garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have a dog, who lives outdoors.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to work with an assistant and care for a maximum of 4 children under 8 years. There are currently 15 children on roll who are all cared for on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and she has just become a network childminder able to receive funding for 3 and 4-year-olds.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy an excellent range of activities and experiences that contribute to their good health. Each day they take part in outdoor activities to help them develop control of their bodies. For example, they play in the safe and extremely well maintained garden where they delight in using the excellent range of outdoor equipment to develop their physical skills. They are very aware of the way activity affects their bodies and know when they need a rest or to have a drink. The childminder is very enterprising at sourcing resources to support other related activities. For example, she has obtained some excellent books and has made games for the children to play. She uses these extremely well with the children to capture their imagination and encourage them to learn about a healthy lifestyle. All children are actively encouraged to join in with all the activities and the childminder's keen knowledge and understanding of the

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Helping children to be healthy

Foundation Stage and the Birth to three matters means they are extremely well supported in developing their physical skills, such as climbing and using wheeled toys.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a very warm and clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. The childminder has an excellent understanding of promoting good health and hygiene and has rigorous procedures to ensure good hygiene practices are followed. Her exceptional support and guidance helps the younger children in their desire to become independent in their personal care. The older children effectively manage their own personal care and demonstrate an excellent understanding of why they must wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. The childminder’s thoughtful provision of individual hand towels, that are easily identifiable through differing colours, effectively reduces the risk of cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn to understand the benefit of a healthy diet. They help themselves to easily accessible drinking water throughout the day and enjoy fresh fruit at snack time. They enjoy an excellent range of well presented, nutritious meals which take into account their individual needs and preferences to ensure they remain healthy. The childminder is very skilful in helping them to learn about healthy eating which contributes significantly to their understanding of a healthy lifestyle. For example, the childminder talks to the children about the meals provided and about using fresh organic foods.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in an extremely well organised home where all risks are clearly identified and minimised effectively. The childminder gives utmost priority to ensuring the children are kept safe. She is rigorous in carrying out daily checks on all areas before the children arrive to ensure they are cared for in a safe and secure environment. Children are well supervised at all times and extremely well thought out policies and procedures are effectively implemented to ensure children’s safety both inside and outside the home. For example, she has devised a detailed emergency and fire evacuation plan, which is practised and understood by the children and a policy for lost children which is routinely shared with the children's parents.

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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 The childminder is extremely proactive in helping the older children to understand how to keep themselves and others safe, both inside and outside the home. For example, she plans an excellent range of activities to encourage them to use scissors safely and learn how cross the road correctly. The childminder is vigilant about fire safety and uses innovative ideas to raise the children’s awareness. For example, she ensures they are able to recognise the sound of the smoke alarm and that they know what to do if the house becomes smoke logged. Regular communication with parents and their involvement in activities contributes greatly to the children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select activities from an excellent range of good quality, well maintained toys and resources. These are very well presented, easily accessible and meet safety standards. The childminder is extremely vigilant in making sure they are appropriate to the age and stage of development of the children attending.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all the required documentation to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she holds a current first aid qualification and has a very secure understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Boards procedures. She is very clear of her responsibilities in regard to protecting children from possible abuse and this is evident in the clear, well written child protection policy she has devised for her service which is shared with the parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children settle exceptionally well at the childminder's house. They all arrive happy and are very enthusiastic to participate. They separate with ease from their parents, are extremely confident in their surroundings and relish their time with the childminder. They relate very well to each other and socialise with other children through regular attendance at the local toddler group. The childminder has an extremely calm, caring manner. She is very attentive and sensitive towards each child's individual needs. As a result, the children have extremely close relationships with her which increases their sense of trust and helps them to develop a strong sense of self.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

An excellent range of activities is offered which helps the children to extend their learning and development in varied and exciting ways. They all spend their time purposefully. For example, children show delight as they make squelchy noises in the wet sand with their feet, plant their sunflowers and choose independently from the toys and activities available. All children are fully included. The childminder skilfully uses her keen knowledge to adapt activities and promote their learning. For example, their communication skills are extremely well supported through the use of books and high quality interaction with the childminder. All children are highly motivated and respond very positively to the activities offered.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans interesting activities which she adapts to meet individual needs and interests. As a result, children are motivated and make many good links in their learning. They are well engaged in their play as they select and carry out activities and they assume responsibility for their personal care. They are confident speakers and good listeners. Some children confidently recognise their own name and show a very good interest in writing and creative activities. They use their imagination very well during role play and join in

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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 enthusiastically with familiar songs. They gain confidence in using number in their play and during everyday routines, such as counting sunflower seeds into their plant pot.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder offers all children a rich and varied selection of creative activities. For example, they paint, bake, stick and grow plants. She combines these activities with the celebrating of festivals, such as Chinese New Year and further supports them with stories and discussion to give greater understanding to the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are independent, sociable and very confident in a happy, relaxed environment, where they are keen to learn through playing with a superb variety of toys, equipment and activities available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder provides an excellent range of activities to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, they learn about their local community as they visit the nearby shops, enjoy routine outings to the park and join in with activities at the local toddler group. They celebrate a range of festivals that reflect both their own and other cultures, such as Easter, Chinese New year and Diwali. They have access to an excellent range of resources in the home to extend their awareness further. The childminder is very proactive in encouraging them to be accepting of one another and of listening to and valuing the opinions of others. As a result, they show a great deal of care and concern for each other and play harmoniously together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is excellent. Children are highly valued and respected as individuals. The childminder discusses their daily routines and individual needs in great detail with their parents and meets these extremely well. This means the children feel very secure and settle well. She is extremely sensitive to the parent's feelings and anxieties and works very closely with them during the settling in period to alleviate these. She pays excellent attention to maintaining a superb partnership with parents. The information they receive about the service and their child's care is exemplary and the children benefit greatly from their parents involvement in their learning. For example, all children have detailed diaries of routines, meals and activities. All certificates are displayed and all parents receive a detailed prospectus, which includes policies, training attended and daily routines.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has an excellent understanding of behaviour management. She is an excellent role model for the children to follow and her effective use of praise and encouragement ensures the children feel self assured and supported in becoming confident in what they can and cannot do. Their behaviour is of a consistently high standard and children are polite, share well and readily use good manners.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children feel very much at home and at ease in the childminder's care. The provision of an exceptionally well organised and supportive environment ensures the children are supervised effectively and can take part in activities safely and comfortably.

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Organisation

Comprehensive, well written policies and procedures ensure the service operates smoothly and efficiently. These are robust, relevant to the setting and used very effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. All aspects of the service are discussed in great detail with the parents and the use of daily diaries keeps them well informed about their child's care and activities. This ensures that the children's care needs are being met continuously. Children are offered an excellent range of well planned activities and experiences which ensures their progress and development is being fostered in all areas.

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Organisation

All required documentation is in place and ensures the service operates safely and very efficiently. The childminder is committed to continuous improvement and development. She regularly reflects, monitors and improves the quality of the care through extensive training and review with parents. The high quality of the provision means that the childminder meets the needs of the children who attend extremely well.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to develop her register to identify when an assistant is present. Ensure children are provided with a range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and request written permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment. The childminder has developed a very detailed registration system which accurately shows the arrival and departure times of both children and assistants and this is backed up with the use of a daily diary. Resources reflecting positive images of equal opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice are now plentiful and the childminder enhances these resources through practical activities and experiences, for example, celebrating festivals. The childminder has ensured that she has written permission from all parents to seek emergency medical treatment for children and this procedure is explained to parents in the childminding prospectus.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The improvements made since the last inspection ensure children are kept safe, free from harm and are able to learn about diversity in the world.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by the parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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Complaints 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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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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