St Ignatius Catholic Primary 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 149287 Inspection date 27/02/2009 Inspector Paula Jane Hayhow

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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

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 was registered in 2000. She lives with her two adult children in Stevenage, in Hertfordshire. The ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding together with a bedroom upstairs used for sleeping young children and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Access to the childminder's house is via two steps. The family has a pet cat, fish and dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to provide care on each weekday during term-time and school holidays. She is registered to provide three places for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and there are currently two children attending who are within this age group. The children live locally. Two children attend other settings such as a pre-school and the local primary school.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to eight years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Children occupying these places share the same facilities as the children in the Early Years age range. There are currently six children on roll in this age range. The childminder holds a relevant childcare qualification.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of provision is good. The childminder provides caring support and offers a welcoming, stimulating environment where resources are set out for easy access and fully engage the children in their learning. The childminder's flexible approach to planning ensures that each child's individual needs are promoted and they enjoy their time with her. The partnership with parents and other carers is good and contributes to ensuring that children's needs are clearly recognised and met. The childminder has various procedures for evaluating her practice, which means that she has a good appreciation of her strengths and weaknesses which leads to her make changes that improve the outcomes for children attending.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that hazards to children, both indoors and outside, are kept to a minimum; this refers to the positioning of the iron, kettle and tools and general debris in the garden  develop the initial assessments of children so that these are used to influence the planning of activities in the early stages and devise an assessment system which is detailed enough to ascertain all children’s achievements and gain an overview of their learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Clear records, policies and procedures are routinely shared with parents at placement so they are fully aware of the childminder’s practice. These include a sound safeguarding policy which includes contact details and what action to take in the event of a concern. However, children's safety could be affected as the procedure does not include what action to take in the event of an allegation against a household member. The childminder has organised very effective communication systems with parents and other settings, relating to their children's care and learning. For example, she discusses the children's development daily at pick up time with parents and key workers, has an informative notice board with relevant information on subjects such as the EYFS, complaints procedure and her current qualifications. Settling-in assessments are completed by parents, but these are not detailed enough to be used as a base for planning children's activities in

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provision

the initial stages. The childminder provides a stimulating and welcoming atmosphere for the children and makes sure that the activities include all six areas of learning. However, children's on-going development could be affected as there is no clear system in place to record all children’s achievements linked to the EYFS which could prevent the childminder gaining an overview of their progress and learning.

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provision

The childminder has procedures for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating her practice which means that she is aware of areas needing improvement. She checks the premises daily before the children arrive for any hazards, has a written risk assessment of her premises, garden and outings which ensures that all toys and equipment are complete and in good working order. She has completed promptly the recommendation raised at her previous inspection and has a good commitment to developing her childcare knowledge through additional training in various subjects such as baby signing, EYFS, food hygiene, festivals and celebrations, and inclusion. The childminder has organised her home and resources well, routinely rotating the toys to aid variety and challenge. She ensures that the children have a balanced and varied range of activities in the home and garden, with a plentiful supply of toys readily available developing their self selection and independence.

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provision

All documentation relating to each child is detailed, confidentially stored, and parents have access to all records whenever they wish.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are provided with many stimulating opportunities to enable them to make good progress in all areas of learning and development. The childminder uses spontaneous play situations to develop the children's understanding of the natural world such as observing the growth when planting, tending and harvesting the potatoes, carrots and strawberries in the garden. She encourages their language and vocabulary through activities, conversation and stories. For example, children enjoy writing and sounding out letters of their names, listening to stories about the life cycle of the Hungry Caterpillar and gain an appreciation of what ‘second’ and ‘third’ means when joining in with the story of the Three Little Pigs. They love baking and gain an understanding of volume and capacity through weighing out This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ingredients and counting how many fairy cakes they have made.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The flexible planning ensures that children are offered a good range of activities and they confidently enjoy their environment. The planning links the activities to the six areas of learning and the environment is set up invitingly for children to self-select their resources so that they can organise their own play and learning. Children get on well together and are learning to share resources, be polite at meal times, take turns on board games and pack away toys unasked. They gain appropriate life skills and independence through developing and managing their own care such as zipping their coats, putting on shoes and washing hands unaided. Children socialise and make friends at toddler groups and other childminders and gain an appreciation of their community on outings to the farm or walks to the local school, park, shops, post office and bank. They have opportunities on wet days to dance, make tents at home or visit the park to use

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

the climbing apparatus, scramble nets, slides and gain co-operative skills when running in the fields together or playing football together.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a secure and generally safe environment because the childminder has a sound understanding of this area. She conducts daily checks of the home, which ensures that children cannot exit the premises unseen or touch electrical sockets. However, children’s safety could be affected as they have access to some hazardous items such as the kettle, iron and debris in the garden. Children take part in routines that promote their understanding of safety such as discussions on 'stranger danger', practicing emergency fire drills and road safety on their walks in the community. Children are well-nourished as the childminder supplies wholesome snacks and meals using fresh ingredients such as bananas, grapes and strawberries. The childminder has a clear understanding of issues relating to safeguarding children and has ensured that she has relevant information and contact details readily available should she have a concern.

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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

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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? 2 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? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 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: Met

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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

 ensure that the written statement of procedures to be followed to safeguard children being cared for includes all relevant detail such as what action to take in the event of an allegation against a family member. (procedure for dealing with safeguarding concerns) 13/03/2009 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. 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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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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