St Oswald's RC 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 129260 Inspection date 10/06/2009 Inspector Kelly Eyre

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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 was registered in 1995. She lives with her partner, two young adults and two children aged 13 and three in the Panshanger area of Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a first floor bedroom for children requiring undisturbed rest. Children have access to the fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The property has level access and facilities are located on the ground floor. The family has one dog, one rabbit, a hamster, an aviary and fish in covered aquariums.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care on each weekday and Saturdays during term-time and school holidays. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

Children on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register share the same facilities as those on the Early Years Register. There are currently seven children on roll, one of whom is in the early years age range.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder offers children sensitive support in activities and daily routines to ensure that they are included and benefit from the opportunities she provides. She has a good knowledge of each child, helping them to feel secure and confident to develop their play and thereby take an active role in their own learning. The childminder's positive attitude to ongoing self-evaluation and the implementation of appropriate plans for the future enable her to provide a service which is responsive to children's needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the assessment and planning procedures to clearly show children's progress and how their next developmental steps are fed into the planning.

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provision

The childminder maintains an enthusiastic approach to the evaluation and development of her daily practice. She acts positively on feedback from parents and children, using the ideas and information they provide to help her develop clear plans for the future, leading to the potential to improve outcomes for children. For example, recent changes include the increased use of the conservatory extension in order to offer children further play opportunities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Comprehensive risk assessments and the daily implementation of safety policies and safeguarding procedures help to ensure that children are cared for in a safe, secure environment and their welfare is promoted. Children are gaining a good awareness of safety issues through on-going explanations and good daily practice. For example, they are familiar with the emergency evacuation procedures as these

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provision

The good partnership with parents and carers ensures that relevant information is exchanged, enabling the childminder to provide consistent care and support to children. Parents are well informed of their child's progress through regular discussions and the use of daily diaries. The good relationships with others providing care for the children mean that they receive consistent care and their development is promoted. For example, the childminder ensures that she is aware of the school's plans, enabling her to provide complementary activities and support.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are able to make good progress in all areas of learning because they are offered a wide range of activities and play opportunities. The childminder's good knowledge of each child means that she is aware of their individual interests and current developmental stages. She uses this information, and that gained from daily observations and assessments, to influence activity planning. However, children's development is not fully promoted because assessment procedures do not clearly show children's on-going progress and how the next developmental steps are fed into activity planning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged to explore, through sensitive support offered from the childminder. This promotes their development and enables them to become confident and enquiring learners. For example, young children make independent choices about the books they want to read, taking these to share with the childminder. Children's enjoyment is enhanced because the childminder readily joins in with their play. For example, she joins in the role play regarding 'going to nanny's house', extending this by encouraging children to talk about further trips such as shopping and the items they need to purchase.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder uses her knowledge of the children to inform daily activities to promote their development. For example, children become engrossed in using craft beads to create patterns, helping to improve their hand-eye co-ordination and their ability to concentrate on activities. Their development is further promoted because the childminder utilises incidental opportunities such as naming the colours of cars and counting everyday objects.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Good use is made of outdoor areas in order to offer children further opportunities. For example, they gain a greater awareness of nature and living things as they grow potatoes, lettuce and carrots, help to care for the rabbit and watch both the garden birds and those in the aviary. The thoughtful planning of additional activities means that children are offered an extended variety of opportunities. They enjoy swimming activities in the summer, regularly attend a local toddler This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 group and go into the school for activities such as the recent 'beach day'.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are gaining a good understanding of the relevance of hygiene practices. For example, they talk with the childminder about why they need to wash their hands before eating and there are visual prompts to reinforce this. The realistic presentation of activities helps promote children's understanding. For example, their awareness of other ways of life is developed as they look at a multicultural calendar together, finding out about current festivals and celebrations, and using the internet and reference books to carry out further research on these. 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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