St Mary's Catholic Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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104816 Unique Reference Number 05 September 2007 Inspection date Judith Harris Inspector

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Integrated 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband in Barnstaple in North Devon. The whole of the ground floor and upstairs bathroom and one bedroom for sleeping are used for minding. There is a fully enclosed outdoor area for play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any onetime and is currently minding five children under five and seven children over five at different times during the week. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler groups and takes children to local parks and facilities. The family has a cat.

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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 The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/ or disabilities. She is a member of an approved childminding network and is currently in receipt of funding for early education for three and four-year-olds.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are clearly learning good personal hygiene skills through the use of successful daily routines. The childminder ensures that good hygiene is maintained at all times. Children have good hand-washing routines that ensure that hands are washed before meals and after using the toilet or after play. The childminder talks to the children about using the soap to make sure their hands are clean and they are washing away the germs. Older children use the toilet independently and the childminder gives gentle reminders about good hygiene routines. The childminder has a policies and procedures for the exclusion of sick children to ensure she takes steps to prevent the spread of infection. Children play in a clean environment and the childminder maintains good hygiene throughout the day. Children have daily outdoor play. The children play on ride-on toys in the garden. They ride up and down in the garden practising and

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Helping children to be healthy

developing their skills. At the local park the children use a variety of equipment to move in different ways.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a wide range of well balanced meals and snacks. The childminder ensures that the children have drinking water available while they play. The childminder works closely with parents to provide for children's individual dietary needs. She prepares menus for parents to show what sort of meals children are provided with. The childminder provides a variety of foods to help children to develop their taste and try different foods. Children have a "clean plate club" to encourage children to try everything. Children eat well, meal times are calm and quiet and the childminder gives children gentle encouragement to try different things.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a clean well organised home where they can move around safely and have areas for different types of play. Children have a playroom which is set up to allow them safe access to toys and equipment that are suitable for their ages. The childminder has carried out risk assessments on her home and taken steps to minimise any risks. She has a good range of safety and fire safety equipment. There are very clear and well written emergency evacuation plans. A fire blanket, smoke alarms and safety gates are in place and effectively used. Children are well supervised both inside and in the garden. The children play in the playroom or in the kitchen and sue to the sitting room for quiet play. If the children move from room to room the childminder ensures that she knows where they are and can give appropriate supervision. The levels of supervision are appropriate to the age of the children and allow children suitable levels

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

of independence. Children are kept safe on outings; the youngest children travel in buggies and older children hold hands when walking. The children are learning the use of good road crossing practise.

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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 Children have a good range of toys and equipment with good access to toys that are suitable for their ages. In the playroom the toys and equipment are safely stored to allow the children to access those that are suitable for their ages. The childminder monitors the children’s choice of toys to ensure that they are suitable for their age and ability. There are good systems for ensuring that toys and equipment are clean and safe at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are protected because the childminder is familiar with the signs and symptoms of abuse. She has written policies and procedures that show she has a clear understanding of procedures for recording and reporting child protection concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder holds a current first aid certificate which means she can give appropriate care if there is an accident.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are exceptionally happy and confident in the childminder's care. They are developing excellent levels of independence that are clearly appropriate to their ages. Children have direct access to all the activities, play equipment and resources and can choose freely. Children take part in a highly imaginative range of carefully planned activities and experiences. The children have daily access to role play, creative play and messy play. The children have regular outings to the local areas to extend the range of activities and experiences. The activities unquestionably inspire the children to explore and investigate and to be creative. The childminder makes creative use of her interaction with the children to extend their learning. She engages enthusiastically with the children taking part in their play and using open questions to challenge them. The childminder successfully organises the day to allow times for different types of play;

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

times for out door activities and times for quiet play and rest. The childminder has a comprehensive range of information about children and she uses daily records to ensure she is aware of what children have achieved and where their next steps will be. The childminder shows a comprehensive understanding of the Birth to three matters framework which she uses to plan activities for younger children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding. Children who are receiving nursery education funding are provided with an inspiring range of carefully planned activities. The childminder demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the Foundation Stage. She uses her copy of the Foundation Stage as a working document to support her to plan a creative range of activities under each area of learning. There are extensive long, medium and short term plans. Long term plans show the childminder's overall aims for the children and how each area of learning will be met. The medium term plans show what sort of activities and experiences children will take part in and what play equipment and resources will be required. Short term plans are plans for each individual activity; these show what the children will do; what vocabulary will be used and how links will be made to what children do at home. After each activity is completed the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder evaluates the activity and plans for the children's next steps. Each plan is supported by an observation of what the children have done; how they have enjoyed the activity and what they have learned. Children are clearly excited by the activities and their play is animated 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 purposeful. Children have been in the childminder's care from a young age and she clearly knows them very well and has an exceptional understanding of how to provide challenges for them. The childminder keeps excellent daily records what each child has done. The effective systems for recording information about the children allow the childminder to build an accurate picture of each child currently in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are comfortable and secure in the childminder's care. She knows the children very well and can very effectively meet their individual needs. The childminder is clearly nurturing the children through the warm and caring relationships she has developed with them. Children are well behaved and the childminder uses very positive strategies to manage their behaviour. The childminder ensures that all strategies are appropriate for the children's ages and are consistently applied. Children are actively and carefully encouraged to share and take turns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are treated with equal concern and the childminder is successfully meeting children's individual needs. Regular outings are supporting children to learn about their own environment. Children have some resources that help them gain an understanding of the wider world and they take part in some wider world activities. The childminder is developing wider world activities but they are not presently extensive. The childminder has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She works closely with parents using good levels of communication and she is well supported by the network co-ordinator.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is good. The childminder works closely with the parents to build good professional relationships. There is a constant exchange of information and the childminder provides daily information for parents about the children's activities and experiences. The childminder takes information from parents to support her to effectively meet the children's individual needs. However exchanges of information are currently informal.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Leadership and management are good. Children play in well organised play space in which they are comfortable and safe. Children are able to move around safely and they move confidently from room to room; Children are clearly well supported and have good levels of supervision. The childminder organises the day to allow times for different types of play and times for out door activities and for quiet play and rest times. The childminder has professional qualifications and is proactive about her continuing her professional development.

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Organisation

Children's records and a daily register are in place and up to date. There are medication and accident records and contracts for all children and all records are kept in a confidential manner.

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Organisation

The childminder has a comprehensive range of well written policies and procedures which she effectively shares with parents.

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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 childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care and education.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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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 records may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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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): • extend the range of activities that help children gain and understanding of the wider world

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • formalise the way information is exchanged with parents to ensure that an accurate picture of the child is available

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

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 nursery education

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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