St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 138197 Inspection date 25/11/2009 Inspector Jane Elizabeth Chappell

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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 1992. She works with her husband who is her assistant. The family live in a three bedroom house in a residential area of Mitcham within the London borough of Merton with their grown up daughter and her partner. The downstairs of the home is used for childminding and one bedroom is used for children who require a sleep. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for six children under eight when working on her own, three of whom can be in the early years age group. When working with her assistant, they can care for a total of eight children under eight years overall, with six children in the early years age group. There are currently three children in the early years age group and one older child on roll.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

Children are happy and settled because the childminder creates a safe and secure environment, where children are valued and supported. She is very organised and has excellent systems in place for sharing information with parents. Children enjoy their time spent with the childminder and her assistant engaging in a stimulating variety of play opportunities. As a result they are making good progress in all areas of their learning and development. Most welfare requirements are in place. The childminder regularly evaluates her provision and demonstrates a good capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure that at least one person on any outing holds a current paediatric first aid certificate ( Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 31/01/2010

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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 system used for observing and assessing children's learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are kept safe as the childminder and he assistant are suitably vetted and understand their responsibility in safeguarding children and are clear of the procedure to follow if they were concerned about a child's welfare. Effective risk assessments are completed enabling the childminder to put measures in place to safeguard children, both indoors and on outings. The childminder has an up to date first aid certificate and all appropriate medical information and consents from parents for the children in her care. However, the requirement for an assistant to hold a first aid qualification if in sole charge of the children for a short period of time is not in place, which is a breach of requirements. The childminder and her assistant now plan to work together at all times until this is in place. The childminder organises space and play resources well which enables children to engage in challenging play experiences. She regularly reviews her practice and

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the early years provision

sets clear targets for future development that lead to improved outcomes for children. For instance, evacuation procedures are routinely practised, ensuring that children are familiar with the routine should an emergency happen.

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the early years provision

Parents are provided with a wealth of information about the provision and in addition the Early Years Foundation Stage. There are excellent systems in place to share extensive information with parents ensuring that at all times they are kept fully informed about their children's care and learning. The childminder discusses children's development on a daily basis and also at four to six weekly meetings. At these meetings both the childminder and the parents take time to discuss the observations and plan the next steps in learning. Parents state that they are very happy with the childminder and would always recommend her. All children's personal details are gathered from parents prior to the placement and the childminder is sensitive to their individual needs and interests when settling them into her home. Further more, to support children whilst in her care the childminder asks parents for key words and recipes from their home culture. As a result,

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the early years provision

children are very settled, happy and secure in her care.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a warm inclusive environment which enables them to develop a sense of belonging and trust. Children are happy and feel safe as they respond positively to the individual attention they receive from both the childminder and her assistant. Children begin to show caring attitudes and are learning to share and play together, as they sit and make shapes with the play dough sharing the cutters and rolling pins. The childminder sits down with the children, encouraging early language and supporting their understanding of the shapes and animals that they are creating. The childminder has a good understanding of the early learning goals. Prior to children beginning, she ensures she has information from parents on their child's starting points. This enables her to provide stimulating and fun activities which are based on children's likes and interests. The childminder regularly undertakes observations of the children's

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 development and achievements. She is continually developing her systems to ensure that the observations are used to identify children's next steps in their development.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy daily trips out for fresh air and exercise as they visit toddler groups and go for walks within the local community. They enjoy outings to the local parks, where they are encouraged to begin to observe the natural environment. For example, they become aware of the changing seasons, collect leaves to make pictures and have fun as they feed the ducks. They confidently help themselves to the bright and well-maintained resources and actively involve the childminder and her assistant in their play, for example, as they make cakes and drinks with the play kitchen and select coloured buttons to complete their pictures. Children are continually developing skills for the future through the themes and topics covered and from support in using a wide range of learning resources.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder takes steps to ensure children in her care remain healthy and free from cross infection. Children do not attend if they are unwell. They receive healthy and nutritious meals and snacks including fresh fruit and vegetables on a daily basis. Children show they feel safe as they make choices, helping themselves to toys and readily approach the childminder and her assistant if they need help or support. Steps taken to safeguard children include effective child protection and fire evacuation procedures, strategic use of safety gates and close supportive supervision. 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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