St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Barnard Castle

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 149058 Inspection date 16/09/2008 Inspector Suman Willis

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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 2001. She lives with her husband, one adult child and two children aged 14 and 10 years. The house is situated in the village of Wheathampstead and within walking distance of schools, shops and parks. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with undisturbed sleep provided in one bedroom upstairs, and access to an upstairs cloakroom. All areas of the house except for the main bedroom upstairs are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and Childcare Register to provide care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding two children in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's welfare and learning are effectively promoted. There are clear policies and procedures in place that successfully recognise the uniqueness of each child. Children are fully supported and their individual needs met to enable them to make good progress. All children are warmly welcomed and given ample opportunities to develop at their own level. Parents and carers are encouraged to be involved and their input is warmly welcomed. The childminder has a positive attitude to improvement and is developing some aspects of her practice such as identifying training needs in order to improve the outocmes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop observations of the children to assess the progress they and are making and link this to plan what to do  develop procedures for working in partnership with parents to share information and involve them in their child's continuous learning and development.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure that reasonable steps are taken to maintain the safety of children at all times 08/10/2008

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provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is developing her planning to enable her to monitor all children's progress effectively. She is very well organised and uses all areas of the house effectively to provide a broad range of activities for children. The risk assessments of the premises are not robust enough to ensure that children stay safe at all times. The childminder ensures that children are safeguarded by having a clear procedure in place which is shared with parents and she ensures that checks are carried out on all adults in the household. The childminder is suitably qualified and has many years experience of working with children.

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provision

The childminder is keen to make improvements and seeks advice and support from other childminders to improve her practice. She has successfully addressed the recommendation from the last inspection by attending training in child protection. The childminder uses the local network effectively in promoting children's understanding of other cultures and beliefs. Although procedures and documents to share information and keep parents informed about their children's daily routine are good, parents are not fully involved in the progress their children are making. The childminder is beginning to develop a system to evaluate her practice which will enable her to identify her strengths and weaknesses.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are given ample opportunities to learn and develop through a variety of adult and child-led activities which sustain children's interest. They access table-top activities and a range of equipment with ease. For example, they enjoy using the role play and small world resources. Children make independent choices because resources are stored at low-level on shelves and storage chests. Children are fully supported by the childminder who uses her knowledge of how children progress through the early learning goals. Children respond with enthusiasm as they draw pictures for the childminder who joins in offering praise and encouragement. They develop a good understanding of shapes and numbers and enjoy sharing books with the childminder. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how well she knows each child and shares their daily routine with parents. However, observations and assessments of children's learning and development are not used

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is generally promoted effectively through everyday practices because the childminder successfully helps children understand how to stay healthy. The childminder is consistent and sets clear boundaries to enable children to understand how to stay safe. Children are encouraged to stay healthy by having regular fresh air and using outdoor resources to develop their physical skills. Children are very well nourished as they eat freshly cooked meals and healthy snacks. Their independence is promoted as they help themselves to drinks. Children develop good health and hygiene practices because the childminder is consistent in teaching them about hand-washing and personal care. They behave responsibly and respectfully because the childminder gives clear and consistent messages. Children gain confidence and self-esteem as they are constantly praised.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Overall, children are developing good habits as active, inquisitive and independent This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learners. They are given ample opportunities through play to develop their communicating, literacy and numeracy skills, thus setting the foundations for later learning. Good use is made of the local and wider community so they can begin to make sense of the world. Children are regularly taken on outings to the local toddler group, go for walks in the woods and the local shops. They develop a good understanding of other cultures and beliefs through a variety of books and activities, and are encouraged to ask questions. Therefore, children are developing to respect and value the differences in people. 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? Satisfactory

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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? Satisfactory 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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