St Austin's Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 104806 Inspection date 02/02/2010 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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 has been registered since 1992. She lives with her husband and adult son in Barnstaple, North Devon. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed rear garden. Children use the bathroom on the first floor and a spare bedroom for sleep. A maximum of six children aged from birth to under eight years may attend the setting at any one time. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. There are currently three children attending who are within the early years age range. The family have three dogs and a cat.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a secure knowledge of each individual child's learning needs and interests ensuring she is able to successfully promote children's development. Children's safety and security is carefully supported and maintained in the childminder's home and on regular outings and visits. The secure and well- developed relationships that the childminder has with parents are unmistakably effective in supporting her to build complete pictures of each child. The developing use of self-evaluation and reflective practice ensure that the childminder is able to successfully driving the improvement of her service in all areas.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop systems for gathering information about children's individual learning and development needs, and achievements, in the setting, at home and at any other setting attended, which is used to plan for next steps  continue to develop the use of self-evaluation and reflective practise to support the ongoing improvement of the provision

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the early years provision

The childminder has well organised systems to ensure that adults in her home have up-to-date checks and remain suitable, and that all visitors are properly identified and supervised at all times. The childminder has her own safeguarding children procedures in place and these provide clear information in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board's procedures. The comprehensive range of risk assessments that the childminder carries out for all areas in her home and for outings with the children effectively supports children's safety and security at all times. The emergency evacuation plans are in place and regularly practiced with the children and the childminder has good systems in place to ensure the safe This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 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 available for each child. This ensures that the childminder is able to accurately support and promote children's individual welfare needs. All records including any accident and medication records and daily information about activities and events are effectively shared with parents. The childminder uses her in-depth knowledge of each child and her well-developed understanding of how children learn to ensure that she is able to meet each child's diverse and changing needs. The childminder makes very effective use of all resources at her disposable, she uses her time effectively to support children's individual daily routines. The planning includes regular visits to local facilities that support the childminder to extend the range of resources she is able to offer.

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the early years provision

The childminder's developing use of self-evaluation and reflective practice is carefully supporting her able to accurately identify the strengths and weaknesses in her provision. The childminder demonstrates an exemplary commitment to driving the continuous improvement of her provision. She has successfully developed a good range of policies and procedures and children's individual learning journey records that are effectively shared with parents. The childminder continues with her own professional development by attending training and workshops, and successfully developing her understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder demonstrates an extensive commitment to building good positive relationships with parents. This ensures she is able to continually gather and exchange information about children's changing and diverse needs. She provides written records for parents who are encouraged to add their

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the early years provision

own comments which are positive and supportive.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and exceptionally well settled in the care of the extensively experienced childminder. The comfortable and relaxed atmosphere of the childminder's home ensures children are secure supporting them to be confidently independent and inquisitive. Children are carefully nurtured by the warm close relationships they have with the childminder. Children's individual learning and development is clearly well promoted by the in-depth knowledge that the childminder has of each child in her care. The development of children's individual learning journey records supports the childminder to gather information for each child. Using this information the childminder is developing systems to build a clear picture of children's individual needs and interests.

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and outcomes for children

Children play in the open-plan sitting and dining room where they have direct and safe access to a wide range of toys, equipment and resources that are suitable for their ages. Children play a role play game using vivid imaginative skills to create and develop the play. They are exceptionally animated at play, using an extensive range of language to describe what they are doing. The childminder observes the play only joining in when invited to do so. Children have long periods of free play time allowing them to explore and experiment through their play. At the puzzles This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 activity the children are carefully encouraged by the childminder to complete the complex puzzles themselves. The childminder interaction is enthusiastic and respectful, she makes good use of it to support children's learning through asking open questions and praising their achievements. Records and photographic

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and outcomes for children

evidence show that children take part in a very wide range of activities and experiences. They have opportunities to be creative and to explore and discover at activities both in the childminder's home and on outings to the local area and local groups. Children have resources that support and promote their understanding of diversity.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates an enthusiastic commitment to embracing the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has developed children's learning journey records in line with the framework. Each child has a learning journey folder which contains photographs of the children with clear and accurate links to the learning that is taking place and the early learning goals. The childminder uses all the information she collects for each child to ensure she is effectively meeting each child's needs equally.

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and outcomes for children

Children are carefully supported to learn good basic hygiene skills through the use of good hygiene routines. Children are offered a good range of healthy and balanced meals and snacks. The childminder takes detailed information about any special dietary restrictions and works with parents to ensure children's individual dietary needs are met. The childminder has a clear understanding of the importance of the use of positive strategies to support children's behaviour. Children are actively encouraged to take turns and share, the childminder's clear knowledge of each child ensures she is able to use appropriate strategies to support children to develop good 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 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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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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