St John's Catholic Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 131029 Inspection date 16/03/2011 Inspector Kerry Iden

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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 assesses 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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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 2000. She lives with her husband and four children in Worthing, West Sussex. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of four children under eight years, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group, and of these, no more than one may be under one year at any one time. When working with an assistant the childminder may increase to all four children being in the early years age group at any one time. The childminder is also registered to provide overnight care for one child under eight years

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Description of the childminding

There are currently eight children on roll, four of whom are in the early years age group and all children attend on a part time basis. The childminder walks or drives to local schools, pre-schools and nearby facilities, such as play areas, parks and the beach and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 are settled and making good progress towards the early learning goals. They learn through play in an environment that is mostly safe. The childminder promotes a child led setting and adapts any plans made to suit the needs of individual children. She has developed systematic documents to record children's progress and shares some of this information with parents and others. She evaluates some aspects of her provision such as the activities and experiences she provides for children along with her own professional training; therefore she has the capacity to continually improve her practice and raise standards for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 take all reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to children - both indoors and outdoors - are kept to a minimum (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register) 18/05/2011

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop further the next steps identified in children's development and share these with parents  develop a two-way flow of information with other early years providers to ensure a collaborative approach to children's welfare and learning and development is fully achieved

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the early years provision

The children within the setting are generally well protected from harm as the childminder has a good understanding of the correct procedures to follow with any concerns she may have about their well being. The children are able to play in a secure setting although several hazardous items in the garden are a risk to children's safety. However, to maintain children's safety the childminder ensures high levels of supervision and has made alternative arrangements for outside play, for example, local parks and open spaces. Risk assessments are completed on the childminder's home as well as for each outing undertaken to support the childminder in keeping children safe. Clear systems are in place to record accidents that occur to children in the setting or those children arrive with. The childminder maintains an up to date pediatric first aid certificate to ensure children's well being.

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the early years provision

The childminder has not yet completed the Ofsted self evaluation form or completed alternative systems of her own to fully evaluate all aspects of her setting. The childminder has recently re-focused herself with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and is now more motivated and enthusiastic. She has a secure understanding of the strengths and weaknesses within her service and is starting to address the areas that need further development. The childminder is keen to keep her knowledge and skills up to date, and therefore regularly attends training and workshops. Through parent and children questionnaires, along with ongoing discussion, all users of the childminder's service are able to contribute their suggestions to the childminder, supporting her as she continues to drive improvement within her setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder dedicates the ground floor of her home to childminding offering children different spaces for different types of play. Resources are good, fit for purpose and able support children's learning and development. The childminder rotates play equipment with other items in storage to keep children interested in their play. With regular visits to the local recycling centre for different materials the childminder is taking appropriate steps to promote positive messages to children. The childminder has a good knowledge of each child's background and, with ongoing discussion with parents, fully understands the individual needs and routines of each child in her care. Through activities and discussion, children gain a positive attitude to value and respect differences between people, and learn about others as the childminder challenges any discrimination. The childminder adapts activities to enable different aged children to play and learn alongside each other.

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the early years provision

The childminder has built some good relations with parents who are invited to contribute their feedback through discussion and questionnaires. Although discussions allow the childminder to share details of the children's day, effective This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 systems are not yet established to consistently inform parents of children's progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder is developing links with others; she has close links through the network with other childminder's to share good practice. She has also made links with other early years settings the children attend, however systems have not yet been established to share developmental information with such providers.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled within the childminder's home. Through a good relationship with the childminder they are developing in confidence and becoming more self assured. Children are able to be independent within the setting and have a sense of belonging. Dedicated storage is allocated to each child to allow them to know where their personal belongings are, offering them reassurance that they can access their own things if they need them. Additionally places for coats and shoes encourage children in their independence. The childminder promotes a child led environment. Although plans of activities are organised, she allows the children to lead her and activities are quickly adapted to suit the interests of the children. For example, with craft activities planned to decorate drums the children show more interest in playing the drums. The childminder compliments this with a large selection of additional musical items. She challenges children individually as babies

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and outcomes for children

explore the different textures of the many instruments and can use the shakers; older children compare sounds and tempos. The childminder is recording children's progress towards the early learning goals through a well ordered system where spontaneous observations are recorded under each area of learning. However next steps in children's development are not routinely identified.

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and outcomes for children

Children and babies feel safe and secure within the setting and are comfortable and relaxed with the childminder. Well organised routines allow children's individual needs to be met to allowing all children to achieve and enjoy their time in the setting. They are developing an awareness of safety through discussion and routines that are in place. The childminder recently updated the children with additionally safety rules since the implementation of new flooring in the house. Children are also kept safe when away from the setting with 'stop and go' games designed to keep children close by. Children are beginning to show an understanding about what constitutes a healthy lifestyle. They follow appropriate personal hygiene routines when reminded by the childminder and have the opportunity to enjoy physical activities both inside and out. Snack and meal times are taken at the table where the childminder promotes children's social skills.

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and outcomes for children

Although initially quiet, children including babies demonstrate a sense of belonging within the setting and move around with direction and purpose to their play. The children behave well within the setting. They are motivated in a range of activities and the childminder joins in well to extend their play. The childminder values the opinions of the children which she gains through discussion and completed questionnaires, allowing everyone to have an opinion and make a positive contribution to the setting. Activities and experiences are organised by the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder or spontaneously by the children to reinforce and extend their knowledge and development in communication and numeracy. For example, through a number hiding games children are encouraged to find specific numbers as they recognise written numerals. The childminder extends this, encouraging

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and outcomes for children

young children to sequence the numbers in a number line on the wall. To develop skills in identifying letters and words children enjoy shared stories or use resources such as foam letters to compare initial letters of their names. Therefore children have the opportunities to develop the skills they will require for future learning. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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 3 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 3 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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