St Catherine's School and College

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 118226 Inspection date 11/01/2010 Inspector Deborah Jane Starr

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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 1993. She lives with her husband and one child aged 12 years in Clevedon, North Somerset. Most areas of the childminder's house are used for childminding. Children have no access to the rear garden. Access to the house is via steep steps. She is registered to care for children overnight. 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 a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. The childminder currently cares for 11 children on a part-time basis in the early years age range and two children within the age range of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local pre-schools, nurseries and the local primary school to take and collect children. She takes children to local parks, beach area and the local library.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is inadequate.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has most required documentation, records and procedures in place to ensure that children's welfare is met and that they are appropriately safeguarded overall. The childminder does not have sufficient knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage in order to help all children to make progress in their learning and development. There are no systems in place to observe and assess the children as they play in order to effectively plan the next steps in their learning. Positive working relationships are in place with parents. However, these are not focused on children's learning and development. The childminder has not made links with other early years providers who are involved in the care of the children. Systems for the childminder to evaluate her provision are not in place. Therefore, significant gaps in her provision have not been identified.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the early years provision requires significant improvement. The registered person is given a Notice to Improve that sets out actions to be carried out.

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further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date:

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further?

 develop knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage so that children are provided with an educational programme that will enable them to make progress towards the early learning goals in all areas of learning (Learning and Development) 12/04/2010

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further?

 undertake sensitive observational assessment in order to plan to meet young children's individual needs 12/04/2010 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 (Organisation)  plan and provide experiences which are appropriate to each child's stage of development as they progress towards the early learning goals (Organisation) 12/04/2010

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further?

 obtain prior written permission for each and every medicine from parents before any medication is given (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 01/02/2010

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further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop a system to evaluate and monitor the quality of the provision so as to bring about improved outcomes for children  develop a regular two-way flow of information with parents and other early years providers to ensure continuity in children's care, learning and development  extend resources that reflect diversity and offer regular opportunities for children to participate in activities that promote an awareness of the diversity of the wider world

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the early years provision

Appropriate arrangements ensure all adults living in the home have undergone appropriate vetting procedures. The childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection issues and understands the procedures she should follow if she has a concern about a child and the steps she should follow in the event of an allegation being made. Most documentation is in place and shared with parents. However, records regarding the administration of medication lack detail and therefore children's health is not fully protected at all times. This is a breach of the statutory requirements. Daily visual checks and appropriate assessments of risk both inside and outside the home ensure children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. Overall therefore, children's welfare is appropriately safeguarded. Children play with and spontaneously select from an adequate range of toys and resources that are regularly rotated and easily accessible from storage boxes set

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the early years provision

out on the floor. The provision of suitable resources and adaptation of activities to support the individual learning and developmental stage of each child is not considered at all times. For example, children of varying age ranges are provided only with thin tipped brushes when using paint. Very young children are not offered appropriate challenges to explore and experiment and lose interest quickly.

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the early years provision

The childminder does not evaluate her practice to identify strengths and areas for development, nor does she seek the views of those using her setting. Recommendations raised at the last inspection have been fully addressed. The childminder has not attended any recent training to help her to increase her knowledge and skills or to implement recent changes. Consequently, her knowledge of the new Early Years Foundation Stage is limited. This does not show a commitment to maintain continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder builds positive relationships with parents. Initial discussion and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 some written policies and procedures ensures parents are sufficiently informed of her practice. Ongoing information about children's activities and achievements is shared through informal verbal feedback at the end of each day. Parents, however, have little opportunity to be involved in their child's learning and development or in any observation and assessment process. Children attend other early years providers, however, steps to make links so as to ensure a two-way flow of information about children's care, learning and development are not in place.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements and guidance is inadequate. She has a broad overview of how children learn and how resources support this. She does not however, have an understanding of effective observation and assessment and how young children progress in their learning. She does not identify individual children's next steps in learning and does not monitor their progress. Consequently, the childminder is not supporting children effectively to make progress. Children predominantly select their own play from the resources on offer. They re-enact their everyday experiences when playing with imaginary food and kitchen utensils. Children approach unfamiliar adults such as the visiting inspector with confidence and include her in their play. They recognise number and relate this correctly to objects and are able to add and take one away. They enjoy making dens and dress up as

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and outcomes for children

familiar characters. Children snuggle in closely to the childminder when looking at books. They listen to her questions, identify objects and recall names of characters in the story. Children's language is supported through the repetition of words. Children develop an understanding of how things work, for instance, when pressing the stop button on a CD player. Children help sort out paper and jars for recycling, thereby promoting an awareness of their environment.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident and build strong relationships with the childminder and other children attending. They are respectful to each other and respond well to the clear expectations of the childminder through her clear and consistent approach. Children know the routines of the day, for instance, clearing toys away before lunch and washing hands at appropriate times. Children's behaviour is good. Children develop skills for the future as they are supported effectively by the childminder to play cooperatively with each other and to develop negotiation skills. Daily walks to local resources, such as parks, visits to the ducks, beach, library and walking to and from school, helps children develop healthy lifestyles. These outings provide opportunities in which children learn how to keep themselves safe when crossing roads and they discuss the people they observe and learn that different people have different needs. Children's awareness of the diversity of the wider

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and outcomes for children

world, however, is limited due to the lack of opportunity to participate in activities that promote an awareness of diversity and access to few resources. 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 4 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 4 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 4

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 4 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 keep a record of a parent's consent of any medicine administered to any child who is cared for on the premises (Records to be kept) 01/02/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Records to be kept) 01/02/2010

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