St Wulstan's and St Edmund's Catholic Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 149263 Inspection date 27/04/2010 Inspector Jo Rowley

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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 registered in 1995. She lives with her husband and three children aged 11, 21 and 23 years old in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and children have access to a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has fish which are kept in a tank.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care on each weekday during term-time and school holidays. She is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of three children in the early years age range and is currently minding six children in this age group, all of which are, on a part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years and this provision is registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Children on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register share the same facilities as those on the Early Years Register.

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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 has developed good links with parents, carers and other agencies and regularly shares information about the children, confidentially. This enables her to have a thorough knowledge of each child's individual needs and interests. The childminder uses this knowledge and her good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, to provide a wide range of activities and experiences that helps to promote children's individual learning and development. The childminder regularly reviews and evaluates her work with the self evaluation procedures she has in place, enabling her to build a clear picture of her practice and make changes where required. Therefore, she provides a service which is responsive to the needs of children and their families.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out a risk assessment for each type of outing (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 20/05/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the safeguarding policy is updated in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board local guidance. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is mostly promoted because the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities relating to safeguarding children. She has previously completed training and demonstrates a good awareness of how to protect children in her care, enabling her to identify any child who may be at risk and take appropriate action if required. However, the written policy that the childminder has in place is not updated in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board local guidance and this potentially affects children's welfare. Children are building up a good understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe as they regularly practise the emergency evacuation plan and they learn about road safety and stranger dangers whilst out of the home. Risk assessments and daily checks are completed to ensure that hazards inside the home are minimised in order to keep children safe, and although, risk assessments are in place for some

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the early years provision

outings they are not completed for each type of outing that the children participate in, therefore, their safety and welfare outside of the childminder's home, are potentially affected.

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the early years provision

The childminder's procedures for self evaluation are good, for example, she regularly reviews and evaluates her setting to see where improvements can be made. As part of the self evaluation procedures the childminder has given out parent questionnaires which parents have happily completed. The childminder receives positive feedback, from parents, in relation to the care given to their children. She uses parental feedback to improve her setting, where required, and therefore, she is responsive to the needs of the children and parents. The childminder fully encourages discussion with parents/carers and regularly informs them of their children's progress through the sharing of their individual learning journeys and daily diaries. She effectively liaises with external agencies to ensure that each child is offered the support they require and she has begun to build on links with staff at the local pre-school, promoting a consistent approach.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents and carers to ensure that she fully understands each child's background and particular individual needs, this enables her to provide a service which is inclusive to all children and their families. She fully promotes children's understanding of differences, religions and cultures as she develops their learning through, for example, reading books or using art and craft opportunities. An example of this is where children recently developed their knowledge and understanding of St Patrick's and St David's Day through art and craft activities. Therefore, children's understanding is promoted. Resources are of good quality, they are age and stage appropriate and are stored appropriately to enable children to make independent choices about their play.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress in all areas of their learning and are fully supported in this because the childminder has an effective understanding of the Early Years This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Foundation Stage. She implements appropriate procedures for observing and assessing children and she uses this information when organising her written plans. She provides relevant and interesting activities, which are adapted to suit each child, promoting inclusion. Observations are regularly completed for each child and their next steps are recorded within these observations. Planning is then organised to incorporate each child's next step and therefore, children's individual learning and development needs are promoted. Children's behaviour demonstrates that they feel safe and secure. They confidently play alone, together or with the childminder and have regular opportunities to make independent choices about

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and outcomes for children

their play. Children access the resources available, whilst the childminder supports them to ensure that they are appropriate for the their ages and stages of development. Children's development is promoted because the childminder enthusiastically joins in with their play. For example, as one child plays with the kitchen resources the childminder involves herself by asking the child for an ice- cream. As the child gives the childminder an ice-cream the childminder smiles, thanks her and pretends to eat it. The child responds to this interaction by then asking what else she would like.

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and outcomes for children

Children have opportunities to develop their problem solving and numeracy skills in everyday activities such as when they use bricks for building. They enjoy opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world as they use battery operated toys and enjoy learning about the different celebrations. The childminder ensures that her setting is an inclusive environment where all children feel secure. They are observed to be happy and content and they respond to the childminder in a warm and friendly way, for example, going to her for a cuddle. Children's behaviour is good, because the boundaries and ongoing explanations the childminder gives about behaviour promote their feelings of security. Children have a good understanding of appropriate behaviour as they are gently reminded, during their play, to look after the resources. Children of all ages and stages are included in the activities offered because the childminder is very clear about how

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and outcomes for children

each activity can be adapted to suit the individual needs of each child and this helps all children to feel included.

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and outcomes for children

Children's skills in communication, language and literacy are developing well through daily opportunities for reading as they are able to self select books, which they choose from the variety available, as well as enjoying stories with the childminder. An example of this is where the childminder reads a book to the children called ' The very busy spider'. As she reads the sentences she leaves gaps which the children skilfully fill in with the missing words. Children have opportunities to develop their skills for the future through the provision of small world toys, dressing up clothes and toys which encourage the use of their imaginations. An example of this is where children are playing with the tea set, they make cups of tea for themselves and the childminder. Children's physical development is well promoted as they are encouraged to participate in a range of different opportunities including visiting different childminding groups and activity

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and outcomes for children

centres, they enjoy walks in the local community and play on the static equipment at the local parks. Children's understanding of health and hygiene practices are promoted as they wash their hands regularly before snacks and meals and understand the importance of removing germs. Children have a healthy diet This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 because the childminder promotes the eating of fresh fruit and vegetables, this is further extended as the children are encouraged to grow their own. 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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