St Philomena's RC Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 104662 Inspection date 26/11/2009 Inspector Judith Harris

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 husband, adult and teenage daughters in Bideford in North Devon. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children.

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Description of the childminding

A maximum of six children aged from birth to eight years may attend the setting at any one time. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently four children attending who are within the early years age range. The childminder holds a level 3 Early Years qualification.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's individual learning and development needs are exceptionally well met and their welfare is unmistakably supported by the childminder. Partnerships with parents, local schools and groups are effectively supported and encouraged by the childminder. She is extremely successful at gathering information and sharing records to ensure parents are informed about their children's achievements. The exemplary use of reflective practice and well organised systems for self-evaluation ensure the childminder is accurately able to identify her strengths and weaknesses and effectively support the continuous service of her provision.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continuing to promote respect and positive attitudes to diversity by encouraging children to talk with each other about similarities and differences, using props and stories about children who are both like them and different from them

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the early years provision

Children are cared for by a qualified and experienced childminder. Her exceptionally well organised systems effectively ensure that all adults in her home have up to date checks and remain suitable. All visitors must be identified and sign in the visitors register and the childminder's systems ensure all un-checked visitors are fully supervised. The childminder's safeguarding children procedures are comprehensive and provide detailed and accurate information, in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines. A precise range of risk assessments, which include daily checks, are effective in ensuring children's safety in all areas of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the childminder's home and garden. All outings with the children are fully risk assessed to ensure that safety and security are maintained at all times. The emergency evacuation plans are in place and regularly practised with the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder is careful to closely monitor the safe arrival and collection of all children in her care.

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the early years provision

The childminder's systems ensure that all required records and documentation are fully available and successfully provide all necessary information for the ongoing support of each individual child. The childminder is exceptionally effective in sharing all relevant records with parents, including any accident and medication records and daily information about activities and events. The childminder is committed to ensuring inclusion of all children in her provision. She works closely with parents using effective systems to gather individual information. This information is used to build a complete picture of each child which successfully supports the childminder to meet children's diverse and changing learning and welfare needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder's comprehensive use of reflective practice and self-evaluation is significant in ensuring the continuous improvement of her provision. The extensive self-evaluation is clearly accurate in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the provision and in the development of plans for improvement and development. The childminder has completed the on line self-evaluation form and uses her daily records to support ongoing reflective practice. Children are provided with an abundance of resources and play equipment. The childminder's exceptional organisation ensures that she make best use of her time. With well planned daily routines that are relaxed and flexible and can be changed to meet children's individual needs and interests.

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the early years provision

Children's learning, development and welfare are further supported by the professional partnerships the childminder has built with the parents and other settings. Parents speak with the childminder at the beginning and end of every session to share information about the child, which successfully supports working together. The children's diaries are completed daily by the childminder and parents are actively encouraged to add comments as often as possible. Parents are provided with regular questionnaires. The completed questionnaires show how much parents value the care and education provided for their children. The childminder is also developing positive and important relationships with local schools and groups to support the children who attended a variety of sessions. She gathers information about topics and projects at these settings and uses these to supplement her own planning. The childminder provides a comprehensive range of

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the early years provision

policies and procedures which are specific to her service and effectively shared with parents.

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and outcomes for children

Children are unmistakably happy, confident and exceptionally well settled in the comfortable and relaxed atmosphere of the childminder's home. The children are carefully nurtured and supported by the warm close relationships they have with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the childminder, which ensures they feel secure and are able to develop exceptional levels of independence. Children's unique learning and development is consistently supported by the extensively in-depth knowledge that the childminder has of each child in her care. Through the use of a versatile and creative range of observations and assessments the childminder is building a clear and complete picture of each child's learning and development needs. The observations include information that the childminder uses to plan for the next steps of children's individual learning journeys.

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and outcomes for children

Children play in the play room which is available for their sole use and where they have direct and safe access to an abundance of age appropriate toys and resources. Children are playing a game with the childminder, they sit together taking turns to throw the dice and play a memory game where they identify colours and animals. Children are delighted with an art and craft activity that allows them to be creative using different resources and materials. Through the extensive and well planned activities and experiences that the childminder provides the children have opportunities to be creative, to explore, experiment and discover. The childminder's interaction with the children is animated and she makes excellent use of all opportunities to challenge the children and extend their learning. The childminder's creative and flexible planning ensures activities are planned and developed around the children's individual interests. The flexible daily

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and outcomes for children

routines allow children time and space to develop their play. In the garden the children are able to play with sand and water or explore in the mulch area, where they have grown vegetables and flowers and discovered mini beasts and wildlife. Children are taken on regular outings to groups and the local and wider area, where the range of activities and experiences can be extended and support children to learn about the wider and natural world. Children are provided with resources that help them to gain an understanding of diverse cultures. The childminder's self-evaluation shows she is planning to develop activities that support children's knowledge of the wider world.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is enthusiastically embracing the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and has cohesively developed her skills for planning and for carrying out observations and assessments. Each child has a daily diary where the childminder records practical information and details of the activities and experiences children have taken part in each day, these are shared with parents daily. Children's individual learning journey books are also available with photographs of the children at play, a short narrative of the learning that is taking place and direct and accurate links to the EYFS and the early learning goals. In addition the childminder uses observations of individual learning and "wow" moments. The childminder uses the extensive information she collects for each child to successfully support the child's need equally and ensuring that all children are included.

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and outcomes for children

Children are carefully supported to learn good basic hygiene skills through the use of good routines. Children can take themselves to the toilet and wash their own hands; they are provided with individual towels. Children are offered a very good range of healthy and balanced meals and snacks, menus are provided for parents. The childminder takes detailed information about any special dietary restrictions. She works closely with parents to ensure children's individual dietary needs are met. The childminder has a clear understanding of the importance of the use of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 positive strategies to support children's behaviour. She actively encourages children to share and take turns and makes excellent use of distraction to ensure children are not becoming upset and frustrated. The positive behaviour management strategies ensure that children are effectively supported to develop

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and outcomes for children

skills for self control. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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Stage

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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