St Mary and St Chad CE (VC) First School

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 124237 Inspection date 20/10/2008 Inspector Rebecca Elizabeth Khabbazi

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Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 1994. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and 16 years old. The family live in a three bedroom house in a residential area of Croydon. The downstairs of the house is the main area used for childminding. The family have two dogs and two cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for four children under eight years old at any one time, and there are currently four children on roll.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the Croydon Childminding Network, the Croydon Childminding Association and the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder promotes all aspects of children's welfare and learning well. Children are safe and secure at all times and make good progress in her care. They benefit from an inclusive environment where all children are valued, and the childminder works closely with parents to ensure the needs of all children are met. Regular self-evaluation ensures that the childminder identifies any priorities for improvement, and she constantly strives to develop the service she provides.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 ensure observations of children are clearly matched to the early learning goals and improve the link between the next steps identified for children and weekly activity plans  extend resources that reflect positive images that challenge children's thinking and help them embrace differences in gender, ethnicity, culture, special educational needs and disabilities

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provision

The childminder regularly reviews her practice and makes good use of local support and training opportunities to extend her skills and address any areas she identifies for development. For instance, she has a place on a course about caring for boys, and plans to attend another relating to care of school age children. The childminder has completed safeguarding training, which ensures she knows what action to take if she is worried about a child's welfare. Childminding records are well organised and all required policies and procedures are in place. Children play in a safe environment where potential hazards are reduced, as the childminder completes written risk assessments of her home and any outings, including a daily check list of areas to be monitored. The strong partnership with parents ensures This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 there is a good two-way flow of information, which helps children experience

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provision

consistent care. Parents have access to comprehensive information about the setting and the childminder effectively keeps them up to date through a daily diary, verbal discussions, email and text messages as appropriate, as well as regular newsletters.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy playing in the secure environment where they can easily access a good selection of toys and resources from boxes at floor level. They move independently around the safe play space, which helps them grow in confidence. Children's health is promoted when they learn simple good hygiene routines such as washing their hands before they eat or after stroking one of the animals. The childminder ensures they enjoy healthy options such as fresh fruit and vegetables at meal times, and that they have plenty to drink throughout the day. She maintains relevant records about any accidents children have and keeps an accurate log of any medicine that parents ask her to administer. Children respond well to the childminder's clear expectations and boundaries. She gently guides them away from unwanted behaviour and encourages good behaviour by acknowledging achievements and giving lots of praise.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder supports children's learning and development effectively. She provides a wide variety of outings and experiences that help them make good progress while they are in her care. Children are confident and settled in the childminder's home and they have warm and affectionate relationships with the childminder. They enjoy daily outings, for instance to Stay and Play groups, soft play areas or the park. These outings provide opportunities to socialise with other children, take part in a wide variety of creative activities, and practise their physical skills. Children develop early literacy skills as they cuddle up to the childminder for a story, listen to nursery rhymes or paint with big brushes at a play group. They use resources such as puzzles and shape sorters to solve simple problems, and find out about number when the childminder counts the steps as they make their way up and down the stairs. Children learn about the wider world when they help prepare a

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

food parcel for Harvest Festival or make plans to celebrate Christmas or Chinese New Year. However, they do not currently have access to a broad range of materials and activities to help them develop a positive attitude towards diversity.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder keeps clear and relevant records of children's progress and achievements and shares these with parents on a regular basis. She uses her observations to think about the next steps for children's learning, although, at the moment, these are not always matched to the early learning goals and do not clearly link into the plans she makes for weekly activities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? Good The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Good How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Good How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

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

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Detail of the complaint/s

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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