St Thomas More's Catholic Primary School, Havant

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 116377 Inspection date 19/01/2010 Inspector Susan Mary Deadman

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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 was registered in 1992. She lives with her husband and 14 year old son. Two other adult children may sometimes reside on the premises. The family lives in Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire. All downstairs areas of the home are used for childminding. Children have access to a secure rear garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of who three may be in the early years age group. She is currently caring for six children, of whom two are in the early years age group, two are six years of age and two children are over the age of eight years.

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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 provides a stimulating environment in which children receive a high level of care and education. The childminder's sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is evident and children derive much benefit from her knowledge. The vast majority of records are well maintained. There are secure systems in place to self-evaluate the effectiveness of the setting and the childminder demonstrates a high-capacity continual improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 maintain a record of the date risk assessments are completed and reviewed  review recording procedures to ensure that the record is retained of parents' prior written permission to administer specific medication  develop planning to meet each child's individual learning requirement and highlight the specific next steps in children's development.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrate a strong willingness for the continued enhancement of her practice. She attends additional training which develops her knowledge and understanding of the EYFS. The childminder monitors the effectiveness of the setting and highlights areas for development such as to involve children in the planning and to develop her use of the EYFS practice guidance. She is committed to continual improvement and aims to undertake a National Vocational Qualification in childcare training. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 There are generally exceedingly good steps taken to promote children's safety and welfare whilst in the setting and during outings. The childminder undertakes comprehensive risk assessments although the record of these has not been dated. Children are cared for in premises which are safe and secure and the childminder scrutinises the identification of visitors and records their attendance. The

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the early years provision

childminder has a clear understanding of child protection issues and referral systems which further supports children's welfare. Children benefit from a safe and well-organised environment where they independently access a wide range of age- appropriate play equipment.

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the early years provision

The partnership with parents is of an exceptionally high standard. The childminder has extremely effective procedures in place to inform parents of their child's time at the setting. She sends each parent photographs of the children during activities and provides them with details of interesting activities they can do at home with their child which enables children to consolidate their learning. Parents enthuse about the high standards of care their children receive and are exceedingly complimentary about all aspects of her professionalism and high commitment to promoting a strong learning environment. There is a comprehensive complaints procedure that provide parents with clear details of the procedures.

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and outcomes for children

Children receive a high level of support which enables them to make very good progress in all areas of learning. The childminder provides a wide range of activities and interesting experiences to promote children's development. Children enjoy creating elephant facemasks as the childminder reads them the story of Elmer The Elephant and encourages children to talk about what is happening in the story. The childminder cuts small strips of thin card and the children enjoy spreading the glue and placing the card onto their masks. Children are familiar with the sounds that various jungle animals make and enjoy experimenting with these sounds as they complete a large jungle jigsaw puzzle. Children enjoy using musical instruments and, with the childminder's encouragement they shake instruments above their heads and behind their backs.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from interesting outings such as visits to Odds Farm and the childminder has developed the garden area to allow children more frequent access to participate in planned activities such as the observation of mini-beasts and snow prints. Children have formed an interest in fish and are delighted to show off their impressions.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has made very good start in relation to observation and planning and identifies in general terms children's next steps for development. There is a large amount of photographic evidence to show children's participation in a wide variety of stimulating activities. The childminder takes into consideration children's interests although does not specifically plan for individual children. The childminder's clear understanding of how children learn significantly extends their development. For example, children use small brushes and enjoy 'mark making' in the garden when using water to paint various items. Varying the ways in which This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children use tools supports their increasing dexterity.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well and the childminder reinforces the need to share and take turns. They are encouraged to think about how their actions affect others and cuddle each other after minor disagreements. Children gain an understanding of how to promote their own safety within the environment as the childminder makes them aware of any hazards and reminds them of safety issues.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes children's health to good level and support's their understanding of healthy eating through discussion and planned activities. There are generally good systems in place in relation to the administration of medication. The childminder gains parents' prior written permission and records when medication has been administered. However, the record of parents' prior written permission is not always retained and full details in relation to the dose or the name of the medication are not always fully recorded.

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and outcomes for children

Children's positive self-esteem is highly promoted by the childminder as she offers warm care and has clear pride in their achievements. For example children's artwork is prominently displayed and pointed out to visitors. Children's place within the childminder's home is given much value. This is clearly demonstrated through the effective use of 'Bearemy's Beanstalk' where children post little notes to Bearemy and display their reward stickers or art creations. Children are very happy and well settled in the well organised environment. 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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