St Charle's RC 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 130085 Inspection date 14/05/2009 Inspector Malini Parmar

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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 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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 for over ten years. She lives in a house with her partner and adult children in South Oxhey, Watford in Hertfordshire. Children have access to the large through lounge and the conservatory/playroom. There is a large secure garden that is divided to offer two areas, the younger children access the area close to the house. The family have a pet dog. The childminder takes children to local toddler groups, the library and various local parks.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children from birth to under eight years on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. At total of three children can attend from the early years part of the register. There are currently two children on roll aged under five years and four children on roll altogether. However no children were present at the time of the inspection.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a warm caring environment, which is child focused. She is enthusiastic and keen to continuously improve her practice. As a result, she has recently begun to identify areas of strength and for further development within her practice. The childminder has embraced the new Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and is developing her knowledge of it to make sure all the requirements are met. She has a sound understanding of how to promote inclusive practice, and makes sure all the required information about this aspect is in place to help children progress. In particular, her many years experience of working with children ensures that her knowledge of the different ways boys and girls learn is sound.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve knowledge of the six areas of learning and develop assessment systems further, use information about children's starting points, observations and assessments to identify individual learning priorities and plan learning experiences accordingly  ensure continuity and coherence for children by sharing relevant information with other settings in which children also receive education and care.

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further?

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

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further?

 complete a written risk assessment for the outdoor environment and each type of outing, review this regularly recording each time this is carried out, by whom, the date of review and any action taken (suitable premises, environment & equipment) 05/06/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder has a positive approach to evaluating practice and works closely with the Local Authority, by inviting them to complete checks and support her development. She has recently begun to reflect on her practice to identify strengths and areas for improvement. As a result, she is currently reviewing documentation to make sure it is in line with recent changes in legislation. This means that most of the required information to support the welfare of the children is in place, such as the necessary consents. However, this is yet to be clearly collated to ensure maximum effectiveness.

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provision

The childminder fosters close partnership working with parents to ensure an on- going exchange of information with them about their children's changing needs. She gathers sufficient detail about the individual welfare needs of the children before they attend and makes clear her childminding practice with parents. This includes sufficient details about children's families and cultural heritage which helps the childminder to consider and include aspects of these in her care of the children. Information about children's starting points from which to build their progress is developing to ensure it is clear. The childminder has links with the local schools, but wider partnership working to ensure a collaborative approach with settings children also attend is still developing. Children are safeguarded by the childminder's sound knowledge and understanding of her duty to protect children from harm. She is aware of many of the associated signs and symptoms, and has

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provision

the necessary details to contact the relevant agencies if she has a concern. She maintains an up to date knowledge of this area by attending relevant courses.

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provision

The childminder's commitment and positive approach to childminding means that she has recently identified the learning and development requirements as an area to further improve. She has already begun some work on this aspect and recognises that some of her practice relates to the requirements already which support a firm foundation from which to further progress.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a welcoming, clean and caring environment for children. Although no minded children were present at the time of the inspection the childminder is able to demonstrate how she supports their welfare and education to a sound level. She considers children's needs and interests when organising the playroom to make sure the plentiful toys and resources reflect the children attending. In order to promote inclusive practice she also uses her sound understanding to think about the differences in the way girls and boys like to learn and behave. By providing a balance of opportunities, both indoors and outdoors, and those that are led by her as well as those that children initiate, she makes sure the flexible routine takes account of all these aspects. Children are supported in their independent thinking because the toys are easily accessible on low level shelving and in baskets. Attractive displays of children's work help to support their

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 sense of belonging and nurture their confidence. The childminder has recently begun to record observations of the children to identify more closely what their learning needs are. The sound system in place means she notes their achievements, interests and is beginning to consider what they need help to do. This approach is still in its infancy and the childminder is finding ways to identify children's next steps in learning to support children's progress towards the early learning goals. An attractive photographic journey of her practice provides some assessment information however, this is not yet based on the individual needs of each child to support their individual progress. Children learn about the local and wider world, through the regular programmed trips to the local amenities, such as parks, libraries and local children's centre. The childminder ensures that children

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

are supported to socialise and experience lots of fresh air and exercise to ensure their well being.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder makes regular checks to the toys and resources so that children handle safe clean toys. Parents supply all meals and the childminder ensures these are safely stored to prevent contamination. The childminder takes positive steps to promote children's safety. Indoors, daily checks mean that children are protected by the measures in place, such as safety locks on low level kitchen cupboards. Attention to fire safety is given appropriate priority and the childminder has a smoke alarm on each floor which is tested weekly. Children practise safe evacuation in case of emergencies using all the different exits. The childminder describes how she supports children's understanding of how to keep safe by talking to them and offering them clear explanations about how certain behaviour may lead to injury. Although the childminder has identified potential risks indoors and some in the outdoor environment and when on outings, the record of risk

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

assessments does not yet include information about how the childminder keeps children safe on each type of outing. In addition the assessment does not yet include some of the necessary required detail. This is regulation. Through discussion about the routine and by sharing of records, it is clear that the childminder adopts a flexible approach to meet the specific needs and personalities of the children she enjoys caring for. 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

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is 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? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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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

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