St John the Baptist First School

Inspection report for early years provision

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125680 Unique Reference Number 15 May 2006 Inspection date Vanessa Wood 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 has been registered since 1994. She lives with her husband and two school aged children. They live in a house in Tunbridge Wells. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom and main bedroom upstairs is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three pre school aged children. The childminder walks to local schools and pre schools to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has a pet rabbit and hamster.

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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 good. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene because the childminder follows good hygiene practice. They learn to wash their hands before eating and after playing outside. Children learn the importance of cleaning teeth and having sufficient rest as part of a healthy lifestyle. The children are protected from infection because the childminder ensures her home is very clean and tidy. Children benefit from a healthy diet. They enjoy their snack mid morning of rice cakes, fruit or raisins and a drink of water or apple juice. The childminder provides a hot meal in the evenings and there are sample menus for parents to see the healthy options available. Children enjoy a good range of energetic physical activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Children walk with the childminder to school and back every day. They develop confidence in their physical skills as they use a range of outdoor toys in the well equipped garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a well organised environment. This allows them to move around safely and freely and to independently access available resources from the boxes at child height. There are appropriate arrangements in place to ensure younger children do not play with very small toys that are not suitable for their age. Children benefit from a good range of safety measures both inside and outside the home, for example, socket covers and stair gates are in place and there is a secure outdoor play space. The childminder has done a risk assessment of the premises and all potential hazards have been made safe. Children develop a good awareness of safety and learn about road safety as they walk to and from school. Sensitive reminders, such as a request to pick up toys from the floor to prevent someone tripping over, increase children's awareness of everyday safety in the home. The childminder has a good understanding of child

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

protection issues which promotes children's wellbeing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and confident and learn to make decisions for themselves and to become independent in their choice of activity. They have access to a wide range of resources relevant to their level of development and are able to select toys from the boxes available. Children receive high levels of positive interaction and enjoy stimulating conversations with the childminder. For example, when looking at a book about the different houses people live in and comparing them with the type of house they live in. Children have many opportunities to enhance their social skills as they attend local toddler groups and play with other children of a similar age. Children's creative and imaginative development is encouraged through activities such as hand painting and drawing, playing in the play house and using the tea set. Their mathematical development is progressing well, such as using the number line on the wall so

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

that children are able to point to the number for their age. Although the childminder has a clear understanding of each child's development, she does not record their progress and

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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 achievements. Children's development, therefore is not effectively monitored and shared with the parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the individual information recorded by the childminder which enables her to meet their individual needs. For example, children's preferences, dietary and health needs are all taken into account by the childminder. Children learn about the wider world through a wide range of positive images of diversity in books, small world figures and roles play items. Children's behaviour is very good because the childminder gives praise and recognition which enables them to experience pride in their achievements. She provides house rules that establish clear boundaries to promote good behaviour. The childminder develops an effective partnership with parents. Children's welfare is supported as she spends time discussing their individual needs with parents. This ensures continuity of care for children. Parents are provided with written information of the childminder's provision and a daily contact book is

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Helping children make a positive contribution

used if requested. Parents know how to contact the regulatory body.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare, care and learning are effectively promoted. They receive good adult support to help them feel secure and confident. Continuity of care is achieved by a flexible and professional working relationship between the childminder and the parents. The childminder keeps herself informed of current childcare practices by attending relevant courses. For example, she has an up to date first aid certificate and has completed a day course on the Birth to three matters framework. Record keeping is current and statements of good practice are clear and concise. Confidentiality is understood and all paperwork held on children is securely filed.

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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

The childminder has written an effective emergency evacuation plan and parents have completed permission slips for the childminder to seek emergency medical advice or treatment in order to safeguard children. Current police checks are in place for her husband and herself. The childminder uses the National Childminding Association record of attendance book to record when children are present and their medication book to record any medication given to children. All are well maintained.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The stone slabs in the garden have been rearranged to ensure children's safety in the garden.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints since the last inspection.

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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 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): • develop a system to record and monitor children's ongoing development and achievements

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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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