St Joseph's Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 100833 Inspection date 14/04/2010 Inspector Diane Hancock

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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 1996 and may care for a maximum of six children at any one time. An assistant supports her with the collection of children from school.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her adult son in a residential area of Gloucester. Childminding takes place in the playroom and attached conservatory with toilet facilities. A spare bedroom is used for sleeping children. There is an enclosed rear garden with patio and grass areas.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds relevant childcare qualifications. She has completed the Introduction to Childminding Practice, Developing Childminding Practice and the Extending Childminding Practice qualification. She has completed a NVQ Level 3 in childcare. The childminder attends the local parent-and-toddler group, children's centre and visits a forest school site.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides a drop-off and collection service from local schools and surrounding areas. She is a member of the Gloucester Childminding Network and the Minders of Gloucester childminding support group. There are currently 10 children on roll of whom five children are in the early years age range.

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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 caring friendly relaxed home environment where children settle quickly and have their individual health and care needs well-met. The children play with a good range of toys, and participate in interesting activities within the home and at toddler groups, to ensure they make good progress in their learning and development, however the main focus of planning is on creative activities. The childminder meets the welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage ensuring children's health and care needs are well-met, however the evacuation drills are infrequent and not known by all children. The childminder offers a professional service where she has good relationships with parents and provides daily information however they are not fully involved in the assessment process. Good procedures in place for working with other providers. The childminder regularly self-evaluates her practice and makes ongoing changes, such

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

as updating her policies and improving accessibility of toys. The self-evaluation document is in its infancy and does not fully cover all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage and involve all interested parties. The childminder is committed as she regularly undertakes training and acts on advice from early years professionals as she maintains her capacity for continuous improvement in providing a good quality care and learning environment.

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further?

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 ensure that regular evacuation drills are carried out and details recorded in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved  improve observations and planning of learning experiences to include all areas of learning and involve parents in the assessment process and report children's progress to them  develop the use of self-evaluation to identify areas for improvement in all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage and seek the views of assistants, parents and children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection and has up-to-date safeguarding procedures. The childminder monitors children's well-being and records incidents if appropriate. All adults living and working within the home are checked and deemed suitable. Children are cared for in a safe environment with effective detailed risk assessments, within the home and on outings. Children benefit from good safety routines when out and they learn about road safety through discussion and posters. Evacuation procedures are not routinely practised and recorded in the home therefore not all children have a good knowledge of fire safety. Toys and equipment are maintained to a high standard and stored in an organised manner. The childminder has detailed policies and procedures and routines in place for the collecting and dropping off of children. The childminder is flexible and works long hours to meet the differing childcare needs of the families.

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the early years provision

Adult to child ratios are maintained with accurate records of children's and assistant's attendance in place. Children are well-supervised and sleeping children are regularly checked. Children receive good health care and appropriate records are in place when medication is given. Children are cared for in a clean and tidy home with good nappy changing procedures in place. Children are protected from cross infection, as parents are aware of the sick child policy and children have their own individual flannels or small towels. Children benefit from healthy snacks and evening meal as they enjoy home cooked food.

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the early years provision

The childminder knows the children well and meets their individual sleep routines. A wide range of good quality toys, books and activities help develop children's knowledge and understanding of the wider social world. Resources are rotated to provide variety and children can choose from more readily accessible toys. Children settle well as the childminder takes time to know and records children's interests and caters for their wishes, such as books and cars are popular. She seeks children's views on purchasing new resources in particular for craft activities. Good working relationships with parents promote an inclusive, friendly and welcoming environment. Parents are very well-informed through discussion and daily information sheets each day of their child's care and well-being. Parents receive detailed information on the business aspects and policies and procedures in a welcome pack. Children have opportunity to take books home with them. Parents

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the early years provision

are informed of their child's development through discussion, however parents have limited opportunity to be share in the assessment process and become This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 involved in identifying learning goals therefore limiting the opportunity for parents to be further involved in their child's learning. The childminder seeks references from parents prior to an inspection however she intends to actively seek ongoing views through questionnaires on how she can improve her practice. Parents report that children are very happy.

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the early years provision

Children benefit as the childminder attends training to update her knowledge and acts on advice from early years professionals as she reflects on her practice and seeks to improve. She makes changes such as using biodegradable nappies and updates children's resources to meet their interests and increase reference books to develop children's knowledge and understanding of the world. She identifies some areas for improvement such as making greater use of outdoors.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder plans and resources interesting structured activities, children enjoy sticking tissue paper on Easter chicks, making play dough and painting. Older children in particular gain creative skills as they enjoy an extensive range of crafts such as silk screen painting and decorating T- shirts. Children's artistic work is displayed ensuring they feel a sense of belonging and pride in their achievements. The childminder documents some planning often around a theme, however this is primarily for creative activities and limits the range of activities to stimulate children further. Children benefit from the childminders good knowledge of child development as she undertakes regular assessments which demonstrate their good progress in all areas of their development. Children in particular develop their confidence and social skills as they learn to interact with each other and at toddler groups. She knows children's abilities, interests and strengths well, such as

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and outcomes for children

completing jigsaws and meets children's needs well. Children are encouraged to be independent as they develop their self-care skills such as putting on their own shoes. Improvements in the organisation of resources means children can more easily access toys as they choose toys to meet their interest and develop their independence. Boys and girls benefit from equal access to toys and all enjoy the cars and dolls.

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and outcomes for children

Mathematical concepts of shapes, colours and opposites and problem solving skills develop through a wide range of games such as matching pairs and jigsaws. Sometimes the children sit and play group games such as lotto and learn to take turns. Children have a good appreciation of books as they sit nicely and look at a variety of books. The childminder spends time reading stories together on the floor, the children listen well and enjoy the large books, for example, 'All better baby bear'. Children make progress in their language development through the childminders encouragement as she reinforces new words. Children enjoy baking activities such as making their own pizzas and a cake in a mug which all the children can participate in. Healthy living is promoted and the children have suitable good opportunities for fresh air as they can play outside with a good range of resources to develop physical skills alongside visits to the park and local walks.

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and outcomes for children

She has sufficient resources to promote all areas of development including a computer to develop their technical skills. Children enjoy creative activities to learn This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 about different cultures such as painting hands with henna and celebrating Chinese New Year. Children participate in Barnado's 'Big Toddle' to raise money for other children and support several local charities as they learn about and consider other peoples needs. Children have opportunity to learn about the natural world as they attend forest school sessions and enjoy local walks.

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and outcomes for children

Children are content, friendly, behave well and play nicely alongside one another. Older children help write out the rules for good behaviour and respond well to the childminders routines and praise. In the school holidays they enjoy exciting outings together such as to the beach. Children are encouraged to have respect for one another through discussion and reading books to help children explore different feelings and learn about new experiences such as starting pre-school. Progress in these areas and children's communication develop their skills for the future. Children feel safe as they have good relationships with the childminder and daily routines in place helps them feel secure. Children maintain a safe environment as they help tidy away toys. Children's health care needs are well monitored and met appropriately. They develop good hand washing skills with the use of ink soap to ensure thorough washing. Older children help reinforce the good routines with the

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and outcomes for children

younger children. Babies and young children sleep well and their individual sleep routines are well met. Children learn about healthy eating as they eat fruit and vegetables regularly and drink from their water bottles which are available at all times. 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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