St Gregory's RC Middle 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 129770 Inspection date 19/01/2009 Inspector Jane Mount

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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 registered in 1992. She lives with her husband and one teenage son. The property is situated in Abbots Langley and is close to shops, parks and schools. All areas of the premises are included in the registration although the ground floor is mainly used for childminding purposes. Toilet facilities are on the first floor and appropriate sleep facilities are available for younger children needing a sleep during the day. A fully enclosed garden is available for outdoor play. Access to the property is via a small step. The family have three dogs and two cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. Overnight care is not provided. The registration is for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time including three children under five years. The childminder is currently caring for three children in the early years age range and one child in the later years age range. Children attend on a part-time basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Most aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) are well met by the childminder. She promotes children's welfare, learning and development by using her developing knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage within an inclusive and safe environment. Children's health and welfare needs are protected because of the childminders sound practice and her wealth of childcare experience. However, the childminder needs to update her first aid knowledge. Children are generally making progress in their learning and development as the childminder provides a varied range of developmentally appropriate play experiences. However, systems for observing and assessing children and planning their next steps of learning are still under development. Appropriate links with parents and others are in place to promote the integration of care and education.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the records of observation and assessment and use these to plan the next steps in a child's developmental progress.

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further?

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

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further?

 complete an appropriate paediatric first aid certificate by 31st March 2009 (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 31/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder has many years of experience as a childminder and she is committed to implementing the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and overall this is effective. Most policies and procedures are in place to promote children's welfare, learning and development. The childminder has worked hard to develop a secure knowledge and understanding of the early years framework and this is beginning to be reflected in her practice. She has regard for children's well- being and has attended some training to further develop her childcare practice and has plans to complete further training. For example, she has attended an EYFS next steps course, a child protection course and a 'making my setting more inclusive' course. The childminder is yet to update her first aid knowledge because of difficulties in booking an approved paediatric first aid course and consequently her first aid certificate has expired. However, children's health is not at risk

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provision

because she has previously undertaken first aid training on several occasions and she has now been successful in booking on an appropriate course for the near future.

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provision

The childminder is beginning to develop systems to monitor and evaluate the quality of her practice and is in the process of completing a self-evaluation form. She also reviews important documentation such as children's contracts and information sheets to ensure information is up-to-date and she seeks feedback from parents. The childminder shares information with parents on day to day issues through the use of a daily log book and verbally at the end of the day. A portfolio is also used to share information with parents about some of the childminders policies and procedures. Useful information gained from parents at the initial visit is used by the childminder to plan and provide care and learning that meets each child's needs. She ensures parents are informed about their child's progress and the activities they are involved in with information verbally exchanged on a daily basis. Effective partnerships are in place with other early

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provision

years settings such as the local nursery and school.

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provision

The childminder organises her time and resources to ensure children's needs are met. The environment is safe and supportive that gives children many opportunities to make choices and to become independent. Some effective procedures are in place to safeguard children's welfare. A safeguarding children policy and child protection guidance leaflets are available and shared with parents. The childminder is conscious of safety and has some effective measures in place to maintain children's safety and a risk assessment shows how potential risks are minimised to keep children safe.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is beginning to develop a secure knowledge and understanding of the welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Consequently, she is developing some strategies to help promote and safeguard the welfare of the children in her care. Children's health is overall protected as some good hygiene practices are in place. For example, effective nappy changing procedures minimise This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the risk of cross infection. Through discussion older children are beginning to learn the importance of personal care routines to keep themselves healthy and to prevent themselves from becoming unwell. For example, discussing the importance of hand washing after visiting the toilet or before eating to prevent the spread of germs. Children receive a healthy balanced diet and are developing an understanding of healthy eating as they are provided with some nutritious food

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

choices. Menus are not used but parents are informed of what their children have eaten each day. Children's safety is protected and they are developing a good understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, through discussing road safety when out walking and learning the importance of holding onto the pushchair or the childminders hand and stopping at the pavement to look for approaching traffic. Emergency evacuation procedures are sometimes practised with the children and consequently children are beginning to learn how to stay safe in an emergency. Children's behaviour is managed well due to the childminder's consistent approach in promoting positive behaviour. Praise and encouragement are used regularly to promote children's self-esteem and to develop their sense of achievement. For example, the childminder praises children when they help to tidy away toys. Children behave well and are aware of their

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is developing a secure knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework to ensure children make progress in their learning. Observation, assessment and planning systems are under development and have not yet been fully implemented to ensure children make good progress towards the early learning goals. However, the childminder knows the children in her care well and uses this knowledge to support them in their learning. The childminder understands that every child is unique and works closely with parents to ensure children's individual needs are met and all children are fully included. For example, she uses photographs to record some of the children's achievements and these are shared with parents. Children experience a range of activities and play experiences which support their learning and development some of which are adult-led while

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

others are child-initiated. From an early age children are able to make decisions and independent choices because the environment is organised with most resources at child-height and easily accessible. Regular visits to toddler groups further promotes children's learning and enhances children's opportunities to develop social skills. The childminder supports children in their play asking questions and engaging them in conversation to support their language and communication skills, such as when looking at books together and discussing the pictures or singing nursery rhymes. The childminder promotes a positive awareness of diversity through encouraging discussion and through the provision of some resources which help children develop positive attitudes to others. Children's understanding of shape, colour, numbers and the wider world are promoted through everyday situations such as visits to the park, the farm or

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

impromptu play situations. Children are able to express themselves creatively and use their imaginations as they regularly participate in a variety of art and craft 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

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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 'take action as specified in the early years section of the report' (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 31/03/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 'take action as specified in the early years section of the report' (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 31/03/2009 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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