St Anne's RC Junior 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 129488 Inspection date 27/07/2009 Inspector Cordalee Harrison

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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

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 is registered on the Early Years Register and on both parts of the voluntary and compulsory Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and their two children who are young adults. They live in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. Childminding activities are contained to the ground floor of the childminder's home, where children have access to the living room, dining area and conservatory. Washing and toilet facilities are at this level and there is an enclosed rear garden. The property is in close proximity to shops, parks and schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years, of these, three may be in the early years age group. Currently, there are five children on roll, of these, three are in the early years age range, one is on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and one is on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder consistently achieves high standards in all areas of her childminding activities. She meets children's individual needs very well because she plans well for individual children. This enables her to support all aspects of children's welfare, learning and development; children are at ease in the childminder's care. Relationships are well established between the childminder and parents; this enables both parties to communicate openly, gain consistency and achieve inclusion for all children. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude and a keenness for improvement. She is making effective use of training and materials issued by government, as well as resources, such as the local children services and the support of other childminders in her locality.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the process of self-evaluation to include all area of practice

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provision

The childminder's good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and guidance equips her to achieve good outcomes in all areas of her childminding practice. She manages her day-to-day activities efficiently to provide appropriately for children’s learning and development. This ensures that children’s learning experiences are of good quality and age and stage appropriate. The childminder has a high level of awareness of issues relating to safeguarding, which she relates This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to food, health and hygiene, physical safety and child protection. For example, she is clear about the lines of communication to deal with issues of concerns about child protection and in addition, she shares this information with parents. Risk assessments are completed, reviewed and acted on to create and maintain a safe physical environment for all children indoors and on outings. For example, the

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provision

childminder assesses that the garden is not safe for children to use at present and takes appropriate action to make the area inaccessible until it is safe for them to use. Fire fighting equipment is in place and in working order. Effective safety measures in the home enable children to use the space freely. They increase their independence and learn to recognise the features of safe environments. In addition, documentation required to safeguard children’s welfare is in place, accurate and up to date. Children eat nutritious home cooked meals, which include ingredients from all of the main food groups. They eat well and develop their taste for a variety of foods. Children sit comfortably to eat and the childminder supervises them closely. The childminder attends to children’s personal hygiene promptly and they are clean and comfortable; this reduces the risk of cross- infection and helps children to begin to understand the importance of good health

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provision

and personal hygiene. The childminder has started to use the process of self- evaluation to assess her practice. She identifies some strengths and has started to identify areas for improvement. However, she acknowledges that the process is currently a work in progress. It is not yet comprehensive to address all areas of practice and where improvements are identified timescales to achieve them are not included. The childminder works closely with parents and she gains their confidence. They praise her highly for the good quality learning experiences she provides for children. She shares information with them to help children to build on what they know, as well as to understand how children spend their time whilst they are in her care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children regularly experience learning across all areas and most aspects of the early years curriculum. They develop their social and communication skills as they visit places of interest and interact with people in the wider community. These experiences bring them into contact with people from different cultural backgrounds and with people with learning difficulties and disabilities. Through these practical experiences, they develop valuable skills for the future and begin to understand the different roles and contributions of others in society. Children promote all aspects of their physical development as they participate in a wide range of activities. For example, they use large equipment in the park, walk in the woods and pick their own fruit and vegetables out in the sunshine. They further develop their understanding of health and healthy eating as they participate in some cooking activities. They learn to use a variety of tools, such as rolling pins,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

graters and cutters safely. Children feel included because they all use good quality resources that are appropriate for their stage of development. In addition, resources that are of particular interest to boys and girls, enable them to develop their own interests. For example, the boys play with the action figures and vehicles, which increases their vocabulary, uses their imagination, makes them think creatively and experience play that is exciting and stimulating to them. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Through regular observations of children, the childminder identifies their stage of development and links the next step in their learning to the expectations of the early learning goals. Ongoing planning for individual children enables her to identify and set challenges that are specific to each child; this supports and promotes their progress at a rate that is specific to them. Warm interaction, such

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

as hugs and cuddles are commonplace between children and the childminder. Activities, such as Mother's day breakfast helps children to develop a sense of family and inclusion and promotes their emotional security. They also help children to learn about the values of different cultural celebrations. Children demonstrate their growing awareness of concepts, such as safety. They discuss safely equipment including safety helmets when riding bikes and safety belts when driving in a car. The childminder gives her time and attention to children in play and conversation. She encourages them to speak softly, make eye contact and listen when someone is speaking to them. In this way, children are developing their communication and social skills, based on an expectation of good manners. The childminder is firm and consistent in managing children’s behaviour, she uses simple instructions and clear boundaries that are in keeping with their age and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

understanding. She is constant in the implementation of behaviour management strategies and to achieve consistency for children she gains parents input in this regard. 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: 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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