Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 114278 Inspection date 07/06/2010 Inspector Chris Mackinnon

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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 1986. She lives with her husband and their adult daughter in Burgess Hill, West Sussex. The whole ground floor is used for childminding, with a fully enclosed back garden available for outdoor activities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. A maximum of six children may attend at any one time, with no more than three in the early years age range. The childminder currently has three children on roll, with two in the early years age range. The childminder attends local toddler groups and makes outings to nearby parks and play areas.

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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 is a well established and experienced provider, with a good knowledge of individual children's care and welfare needs. Children enjoy a well planned range of activities, and make consistent progress with their learning and achievement. The childminder works closely with parents and other carers, to effectively support children's healthy growth and development. The childminder is developing diversity within her play programme, and has a positive approach to improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop observation and assessment to include more detail on children's next steps in learning  increase the range of diversity based learning in the planned activities and play environment

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the early years provision

The childminder is well organised and takes care to engage closely with all ages of children attending. Her well managed play environment, and long experience of home based childcare, enables her to maintain and provide consistent support for children's development. She shows a clear understanding of individual children, and her use of well planned learning activities, provides structure and consistency within her play programme. Safeguarding is well organised within the setting, and the childminder takes care to ensure children are happy and well protected within her home. The childminder has appropriate safety measures in place, and a clear awareness of child protection responsibilities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder demonstrates a number of strengths, particularly her consistent support for one-to-one learning, and well organised learning themes and topics.

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the early years provision

She also shows considerable skill with behaviour management, and promoting children's social development. A wide selection of play and learning resources are provided to support children's manual skills, and their exploration of imaginative and creative play. Children also benefit from frequent opportunities for outdoor play and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder's support for equality and diversity relates closely to her positive experience of working with mixed heritage families and children with disabilities. She is supportive of children's awareness of differences, and provides a selection of diversity based play resources and materials. However, children's experience of learning about different cultures is limited, and the celebration of other culture festivals is underdeveloped within the play programme. The childminder's provision of wider diversity learning, is therefore noted as an area for improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes appropriate use of reflective practice within her play programme, and is able to assess the effectiveness of activities and resources. She has produced a written self-evaluation document that highlights her use of planning and organisation, and clearly reflects her confidence as a well established provider.

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the early years provision

The childminder takes a close interest in the minded children's attendance at other local care settings and local schools. She is also part of a local childminding group who met regularly to provide organised learning activities for their children. The childminder works closely and effectively with parents to ensure children develop and engage well in their play. This is particularly well directed in support of children's emotional and social confidence. Parents also have access to daily care diaries, and can see well recorded evidence of their children's progress and achievement.

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and outcomes for children

Children's enjoying and achieving is effectively supported within the setting. The childminder provides a consistently well planned range of activities, that promotes children's learning and offers new experiences. Her play plans are prepared for the year ahead and have monthly themes and topics, such as 'space' or 'the seaside'. The children's own interests and information from parents are also well included in the planning, which helps to provide more focus on individual children's development.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder guides and supports children's learning effectively. She consistently encourages the children's engagement in play, and the six areas of learning are effectively included in the activities and daily routines. Children are also well supported as individuals, with particular play items and favourite learning resources provided to encourage confidence. The childminder undertakes regular observations of children's progress. She keeps well presented folders and clear This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 records, that include many photos, to help her give a clear account of the children's achievements. Although the childminder shows some consistency in her knowledge of children's learning stages, the noting of their next steps in learning, is not yet fully developed.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and hygiene are well promoted, and a range of healthy snacks are provided. Children try new foods and are well supported in the development of their eating and attitudes to foods. The childminder includes frequent opportunities for physical play within her programme. The clear floor space in the lounge and the childminder's back garden area are well used for games that promote balance and coordination. Children also have regular outings to local parks and play areas, to develop their physical confidence.

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and outcomes for children

Children are positively welcomed and encouraged within her setting, and the childminder is consistent in her support for children's safety and security. She has and a well organised range of safety features in place and has well detailed risk assessments. Children are consistently encouraged to play safely together, and share their resources and play materials. The childminder is consistently supportive of children's personal and social leaning. She has spent many years caring for children, and shows a definite ability in her management of children's behaviour and support for their consideration of others.

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and outcomes for children

Throughout the play activities, children have a wide range of experiences that effectively supports their future learning. The childminder pays particular attention to encouraging children's speech and use of words. Children enjoy singing and vocalising and enjoy mark-making with pens and crayons. They also enjoy role play and being inventive with small world resources, such as the dolls house and farmyard. Children's knowledge of numbers and problem solving is supported with assembly challenges and seeing how things fit together. The childminder promotes expressive play and learning with singing and opportunities for music and movement. Children also develop good creative and practical skills during the childminder's well organised art crafts and construction based activities. Frequent outdoor learning about nature, and visits to local children's groups and play sessions, contributes well to children's knowledge and understanding of the world.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder also makes good use of planned outings to nearby towns and places of interest, to support and broaden the children's learning experiences. 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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