St John's RC Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 119426 Inspection date 14/10/2009 Inspector Lisa Paisley

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 1999. She lives with her family in a house in the residential area of Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. All areas of the of the childminder’s house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding five children in the early years age group. When working with an assistant, the childminder is registered to care for a maximum of eight children in the early years age group. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. She walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children and the childminder takes children on regular outings to the local parks and library. The family has four cats and two rabbits as pets.

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Description of the childminding

This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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 thrive in the well-organised and safe environment. Their learning and development is effectively supported because both the childminder and her assistant ensure that the children have access to a good range of interesting activities and stimulating resources. Children are equally valued and respected and both the childminder and assistant make sure that they meet their individual needs. The childminder successfully works in partnership with parents and has formed effective relationships with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The formal self-evaluation process is beginning to be developed and knowledge and understanding from training, ensures continuous improvements to her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 review fire evacuation procedurces to include all children at the provision  develop further planning and observation arrangements to ensure that they clearly match children's developmental progress and to plan for the next steps in children's development.  develop formal self-evaluation systems to ensure continuous improvements are sustained. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Routines including space, time and resources are organised effectively to ensure that children receive plenty of attention and support and their individual needs are consistently met. Documentation is of a good standard and is effectively organised to support the efficient and safe management of the provision. There are sound policies and procedures to safeguard children, as the childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities in protecting children from harm and knows what to do in the event of a concern. Parents are fully informed of the childminder’s role in safeguarding children, ensuring that parents are fully informed about the care provided. Risk assessments for both indoors and for trips out are in place and are routinely implemented on a daily basis to further support children's welfare. Good standards of cleanliness and effective safety measures are maintained throughout the play environment, further promoting children's health.

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the early years provision

The childminder is vigilant about the security of the children and monitors visitors to the premises, this includes the requirement for all visitors to sign the visitors book.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive attitude towards the further development of her childminding service and the children benefit from the childminder’s commitment to extending her knowledge through training. The designated play room and well- planned garden area have a good range of high-quality, stimulating resources that are effectively deployed to allow children to choose with safety and independence. The childminder seeks advice from her development worker and is working towards a Level 3 qualification. Formal self-evaluation systems have not yet been developed to enable the childminder to systematically review and assess the provision, ensuring continuous improvements are sustained.

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the early years provision

The childminder establishes good, secure working relationships with all the parents. Good quality information is exchanged on a regular basis and there are very clearly written contracts and consent agreements regarding individual care needs. Parents have read the policies and procedures and they are required to sign a declaration form, confirming that they have read the policies, this ensures that parents are fully informed about the childminder’s role. Complementary written comments were viewed in which parents expressed their satisfaction by commenting on the childminder’s ability to provide a care and learning environment that is safe and exciting for children. Partnerships with others have been established, as the childminder shares and gathers information about planned activities with the local schools that the children attend.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and secure as they relate well and respond to both the childminder and her assistant and all the children have close relationships with other family members where they are fully included and made to feel part of the family. Young children's language and communication skills are being successfully This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 developed as both the childminder and assistant provide good play and learning experiences that support children's comprehension and expression. The childminder and assistant use clear and effective language such as key words and age appropriate sentences. Children show an enjoyment and appreciation for books as they have lots of opportunities to look at books within the setting and at the local library during planned story sessions. The childminder and assistant are knowledgeable about each child’s abilities and what they enjoy doing, as they

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and outcomes for children

skilfully support children in their developing knowledge of self-control and behaviour issues. Consequently, children show respect towards each other and care about the learning environment. A good variety of toys and books that show positive images of diversity are in constant use and this increases children’s familiarity with different cultures and traditions.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has implemented both planning and observation systems and individual profiles to support children’s play and learning. However, further development is required in relation to planning, observations, profiles and identifying children's next steps in their learning. The children take part in a variety of interesting planned activities or spontaneous events that fully support all areas of learning, both indoors and outside. Independence skills are successfully supported, for example, as they are able to chose activities and outside play is continuous. Regular outings are organised in the vicinity and the wider area to develop children’s knowledge and understanding of both the local and wider world, this includes trips to Hadleigh Farm, the local park and to traditional shops such as, a fruiters. The children particularly enjoy outdoor physical and active play where they can explore the natural environment, they enjoyed blowing bubbles, playing

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and outcomes for children

on the slide and jumping on the trampoline, supporting their overall physical development.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a safe and healthy lifestyle through their daily routines as the childminder and assistant are vigilant in ensuring children wash their hands when needed and nappies are changed frequently. Emergency evacuation procedures are practised, however, the childminder and assistant have not practised fire drills with the younger children, to further support their welfare. A safety talk on outings is included as part of the risk assessment and this ensures that younger children are developing an awareness of road safety. The childminder and assistant have both attended first aid training and therefore know what to do in the event of an accident or when a child is unwell. The childminder is knowledgeable about individual children’s dietary and medical needs as she gathers all the required information before the child starts are the setting, consequently, children’s health and well-being is fully supported.

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and outcomes for children

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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