St Dominic's Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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106633 Unique Reference Number 20 April 2006 Inspection date Nigel Lindsay Smith 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 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 was registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and two adult children in St George, Bristol. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor main bedroom and bathroom are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for six children. The childminder is currently minding six children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends toddler groups, and takes children to the local library, parks, a soft play centre and the zoo.

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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 satisfactory. Children are well-protected from infection through the childminder's thorough routines, such as wearing gloves when nappy changing. Toys and equipment are regularly cleaned. Children gain self-care skills to promote good hygiene, for example through always washing their hands before eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected in the event of an accident as the childminder has a current first aid certificate. Accidents are clearly recorded and notified to the parent. However, the childminder does not obtain permission from the parents for emergency medical treatment. Arrangements to obtain permission for giving medication lack sufficient detail and the childminder does not ask parents to sign a record to acknowledge that it has been given.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy and varied meals, snacks and drinks prepared and provided by the childminder. They have a daily home cooked meal. They learn about healthy eating, for example through their snacks of fresh fruit. Their drinks are regularly replenished so that they have a good fluid intake. Meals, snacks and drinks comply with any requirements for allergies to ensure that children remain healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in regular physical activities such as dancing, and visits to a soft play centre, which helps them successfully develop control of their bodies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have a good choice of areas in which to play in the adjoining lounge, dining room and conservatory, which are welcoming and stimulating, with displays of their pictures and craft. Children enjoy a great amount of freedom to move around and explore as a result of the childminder's thorough awareness of safety issues and effective procedures to reduce risk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can evacuate the premises safely in the event of a fire as the childminder has developed an appropriate written procedure and practises the drill with the children. Thorough precautions such as gates across the stairs and cushions placed on the hearth ensure that children are protected from hazards. Children can safely access and use the play equipment as it is stored at appropriate levels and the childminder checks that it has a safety kite-mark before obtaining it. Children benefit from a wide range of good quality equipment including creative play materials, role play items, construction toys and books.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe when on outings as the childminder discusses any risks in advance with them and uses appropriate equipment such as reins for walking children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected by the childminder's good knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures, and her arrangements to ensure that they are always closely supervised if there are any adults present who have not undertaken vetting procedures.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and make good progress because the childminder uses the Birth to three matters framework to provide a range of stimulating activities. Children enjoy exploring and discovering for themselves, for example a young child matches shapes successfully and claps herself. They benefit from the childminder's active support in other activities, such as helping them to identify body parts using a game.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the childminder making assessments of their progress and using these in planning activities. They learn to socialise with a wider range of children through regular attendance at toddler groups.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are strongly encouraged to make choices about their play, from readily accessible equipment. They enjoy close, warm, relationships with the childminder which makes them happy, secure and confident; for example a child sits snugly on the childminder's lap identifying familiar objects in a book. Older children attending after school can go to the park for physical activity or relax if they are tired. The childminder always prepares a craft activity for them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from very clear boundaries and explanations, so that they learn to behave well. The childminder has appropriate arrangements for dealing with more challenging behaviour.Children have good self-esteem, which is nurtured by positive encouragement and praise from the childminder who shows great enjoyment in being with them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have access to a very good range of resources which reflect differing cultures, for example books, and a variety of games. The childminder does not have experience of caring for children with special needs but has a good understanding of how to adapt activities to include a child appropriately, and has access to support from membership of her local authority "supported day care" scheme.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are helped to settle through the childminder's commitment to building good relationships with their parents, for example by showing them a comprehensive folder with written policies and information about her family. Parents of younger children receive daily diaries about their children, which include information about their child's progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is well organised and most of the required documents are maintained in clear records, which are stored confidentially. She is open to new ideas and regularly attends training workshops, such as on early years and mental health. She is keen to evaluate her practice and is undertaking the "Bristol Standard" scheme promoted by the local authority.

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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 well-organised environment guarantees that the children feel at home and very much at ease. This contributes to their growing independence and makes it a safe place to try new things. The childminder makes good use of her home and relevant outings to offer the children a wide range of appropriate play opportunities.

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Organisation

The childminder organises her time well, to provide all the children with a balance of activities throughout the day.

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Organisation

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 the childminder was asked to inform Ofsted of any significant events, and ensure that persons over 16 undergo checks. She has ensured that all household members have been checked and is aware of the need to inform Ofsted.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to record information about children's dietary needs and allergies, which she does on her record forms.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to ensure that children have appropriate arrangements to sleep. If a child is on their own they sleep in the lounge with appropriate arrangements to ensure that they cannot fall, as the childminder wishes to be able to supervise them closely. If there are other children present who could disturb them a bedroom can be used.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to ensure that children have an appropriate range of resources that promote positive images of disability. She has obtained a range of good quality play figures representing varying aspects of disability, as well as model wheelchairs.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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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.

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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):

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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 • ensure that parents give permission for emergency medical treatment • ensure that parents sign clear permission for named medication, and sign a record when the medication has been administered by the childminder

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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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