St Vincent College

Inspection report for early years provision

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145229 Unique Reference Number 25 July 2006 Inspection date Doreen Forsyth 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 lives with husband, 17 year old son and 15 year old daughter in a detached home in a residential area of Devizes, Wiltshire. There is an enclosed rear garden for outside play. The ground floor of the home is used for childminding, but children may sleep upstairs. The home is within walking distance of local schools, shops and parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for up to six children under eight years old. Currently she cares for eight children all on a part-time basis. The family have pet fish.

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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 kept healthy and well because the childminder mostly follows suitable health and hygiene routines and helps the children to learn good personal hygiene routines. For example, they learn to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet and are beginning to understand the importance of using sun hats and creams when playing outside.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children usually have packed lunches provided by their parents when with the childminder. The childminder encourages children to consider healthy eating options which include eating fruit and vegetables, however, she provides them with sweet biscuits for a mid-morning snack. Children are able to access drinking water at all times, they usually have their own water bottles within easy reach. Because the childminder has current food hygiene training, and up to date first aid training, the children's health and safety is well promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities for exercise and outside play. Children walk to and from school with the childminder; they play freely in the childminder's safe and attractive gardens with a suitable range of resources such as bats and balls or wheeled toys, they often go for walks or visit nearby play parks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children can rest and sleep according to their needs; children sometimes have a 'chill-out' time after lunch, when they can sleep or rest and watch television or a suitable DVD.

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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 pleasant, safe and welcoming environment. Children are kept very secure, the front door of the home is kept locked and side entrances to the garden are bolted. The childminder has risk assessed her home and garden and has identified and minimised any potential hazards. For example, a safety gate prevents children's access to the stairs. When out walking the children learn about road safety, some of the children recently attended local road safety training with the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use a good range of age-appropriate and safe toys and resources. The toys are stored in boxes in the porch, children have good opportunities to choose what they play with, they select different boxes of toys during the day. A box of interesting books is always available, with the selection of books frequently changed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder is very aware of her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into place if necessary.

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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 very settled and happy with the childminder. They enjoy her company and playing with each other. Children take part in a wide range of activities which help them to learn and develop. The childminder plans a different craft activity each week, such as making flags for the World Cup, or making fridge magnets for Easter presents. Children's creativity is encouraged; they have good opportunities to draw and use craft materials, they enjoy role and imaginative play often using the good dressing up resources.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have many opportunities to play outside and develop their physical skills. They use push along toys and play with water in the garden, they go for local walks and visit a park with climbing resources. During school holidays they sometimes go on picnics or visit a local soft play area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder constantly talks to the children encouraging their conversation and younger children's language development. Younger children's development is well promoted as the childminder is incorporating the 'Birth to three matters' framework into her practice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good opportunities to learn to interact with other adults and children. They attend toddler and childminding groups with the childminder and meet with other childminders and their children in each other's homes, occasionally they all visit the park together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed and valued by the childminder, who endeavours to meet each child's individual needs. Children with disabilities or who have learning difficulties are welcomed. The childminder works closely with parents so that she gets to know the children and their families and understand the children's different needs. Children benefit from using a range of resources that help them to learn to value diversity such as small world figures, dolls and dressing up resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to behave appropriately. The childminder is calm and consistent in her approach to the children and their behaviour. Children receive stickers as rewards for good behaviour, they are praised and their achievements are acknowledged. Children feel confident with the childminder, they understand and follow the daily routines and rules.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the close partnership between the childminder and their parents and carers. The childminder provides parents with a good information leaflet telling them about the service she provides. After each session she ensures she spends time informally with parents exchanging information about the children's day, activities and welfare.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder is very experienced and is suitably organised; she shows a commitment to continual improvement as she regularly attends training to update her skills and knowledge. All adults in the household have been appropriately vetted and are suitable to have contact with children.

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Organisation

Most of the required documentation and records help to ensure children's health, safety and well being are in place, but the recording of accidents and the administration of medicines are not very clear and the daily record of attendance is not completely accurate.

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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 required to ensure parents sign the accident book and to make sure she was familiar with child protection procedures. She was also asked to improve some documentation and ensure children were not left alone in her car. The childminder has improved her record keeping and understanding of child protection issues; she does not leave children alone in her car. The childminder uses documentation and strategies that help to ensure children are kept safe and well protected.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also requested to provide children with healthy snacks. At this inspection the childminder demonstrated that she helps children to learn about healthy eating, but the snacks that the childminder provides are not very healthy or nutritious. This issue will be carried forward as a recommendation for future improvement.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The childminder 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 children are provided with healthy and nutritious snacks • ensure that children's attendance is accurately recorded.

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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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