St Mark's Catholic School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

102543 Unique Reference Number 03 May 2006 Inspection date Anne-Marie Moyse Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been a registered childminder since 1998. She is registered to provide care for 6 children under 8 years, of these, not more than 3 may be under 5 years, and of these, not more than 1 may be under 1 year. Currently she is caring for 3 children aged from 3 years to 6 years, on a part time arrangement.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her two teenage children in a house in the town of Wadebridge, within walking distance of St Breock Primary School. The whole of the ground floor is used for child minding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for children to play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family own two cats. The childminder walks to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools, and to the local parks and country walks in the area.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a very clean and very well organised home, where they are learning the benefits of good hygiene routines through the childminders good examples. Children are encouraged to be independent and routinely wash their hands after toileting and before eating. The childminder has a good understanding of how to record accidents and medication and has clear systems ready to use, including consents from parents for emergency medical treatment and advice.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered healthy options for snack and meal times, which includes various fresh fruits. Parents provide foods, but the childminder ensures that they are attractively presented and sit together at the table, making meal times a sociable occasion. Children are encouraged to drink regularly to ensure they maintain their fluid intake. The childminder ensures she is fully aware of children's dietary needs and preferences, and how to meet them, although she does not always keep written details on all children's dietary needs.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

When weather permits, the childminder takes children to the local parks and nearby country walks where they can run and exercise, which contributes to a healthy lifestyle. The childminder considers children's abilities and stamina when planning walks and outings, ensuring children do not get overtired. Children enjoy visiting the local garden centre, smelling the herbs and scented plants. Children also have good opportunities to rest and relax contributing to their good health and well-being.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised by the childminder implementing good safety precautions. She uses a variety of safety equipment to ensure children are kept safe and can play independently around the home. The childminder conducts regular risk assessments of her house to ensure that all areas, and equipment, are suitable and safe for children to use. Toys and resources are generally new and very well cared for and meet the safety requirements. The childminder is vigilant in ensuring that all toys are suitable and safe for the age and development stage of the children attending. The childminder limits the number of children she cares for at any one time so she is able to closely supervise children and monitor their play, therefore promoting safety. Children are developing an awareness of safe practice, such as evacuation procedures, and are familiar with the routine. On outings, the childminder uses

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

various safety equipment, and good safety procedures, to ensure that children are well cared for and safe.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of her role to protect children from abuse. She is clear in the details of how to follow the local area child protection procedure in reporting any concerns to the relevant authority.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are helped to settle well at the childminders home, as the childminder is clearly aware of each child's individual preferences and favourite activities. They are familiar with the routines, which helps them to feel secure. The childminder supports children well according to their individual needs and abilities, and encourages them to be involved in a range of activities contributing to their learning through play. Children have an excellent range of toys and resources to select from, across all areas of learning. Children's independence is developed as they make choices and decisions on what to play with. For example, the children like to play with the computer programme, matching numbers and counting to ten, also learning 'click and drag skills'. This is developed as the children make pictures on the computer, printing them off with only minimal help from the childminder. The children then colour the printed picture using

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

a variety of coloured pencils and crayons. Children enjoy exploring the different colours and mixing them, expressing their thoughts and feelings. The childminder initiates conversations with the children, encouraging them to extend their communication skills and vocabulary, which helps contribute to children's confidence and self-esteem.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are content and happy at the setting. They are valued and respected by the childminder, which gives them a sense of belonging and inclusion. They are involved in decision making and in the organising of activities, which develops their independence and self-esteem. They are able to freely access an excellent range of resources and toys including good resources which gives positive images of the wider, diverse society. This contributes to children's understanding and acceptance of other cultures, customs and special needs. The childminder takes each child's individual requirements into consideration, to ensure that all have their specific needs met. The childminder ensures that parents' wishes are also respected and met. Details of the children's routines and requirements are frequently discussed with parents. However, not all details for every child are recorded effectively. The childminder has a good understanding of the children's

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

routines and offer consistent care for children, which positively contributes to children's well-being.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well. They understand the need to be considerate to each other and share. Children learn about right and wrong, through the childminder's clear and consistent boundaries. They are given lots of praise and encouragement, to promote positive behaviour. Children respond favourably to this approach and are courteous and polite.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are happy and feel at ease in the well-organised environment. The childminder is confident and enthusiastic in her role to provide good standards of care for children. She maintains generally accurate records and has effective policies to inform parents and promote the welfare of children. However, not all children's details are comprehensively recorded. Parents

p.4

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 are kept well informed on children's care and well-being. The childminder provides a calm, relaxed and yet stimulating environment for children, where they respond well to the caring and sensitive nature of the childminder. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children attending.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder agreed to attend a paediatric first aid course, to ensure that children are well cared for in the case of an emergency. The childminder has completed this training and feels more confident to administer first aid to children.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

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

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 that all children's individual needs and details are obtained and clearly recorded

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5