St Mary's Catholic Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 104816 Inspection date 16/03/2011 Inspector Marilyn Joy

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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 registered in 2003 and lives with husband in a chalet bungalow on the outskirts of Barnstaple. Downstairs is used for childminding and includes toilet facilities and access to an enclosed rear garden. Sleeping facilities are provided upstairs.

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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. She is registered to provide care for six children under eight years, of these, three may be in the early years age group. She also works with up to two assistants, and at these times she may care for a maximum of 11 children under eight years; of these, nine may be in the early years age group. The childminder is currently caring for 14 children in the early years age group and 10 in the older age group. She is an accredited childminder who is able to receive funding for the provision of free early education to children aged three and four years.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder offers a caring and welcoming home environment where children are extremely confident in their environment and make good progress in their learning and development. Positive relationships are developed with parents which supports the childminder in meeting their individual needs. Generally, the childminder organises her provision well; however, she has not ensured that specific documentation relating to children's daily care is in place, which means the conditions of registration are not complied with. Systems for self-evaluation identify some areas for development, although they do not provide an accurate review of all areas.

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further?

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

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further?

 review procedures to ensure assistants are fully aware of emergency and safeguarding arrangements so that they have a secure understanding of what to do when left in sole charge of children  review arrangements for recording children's progress and next steps for learning so that they are regularly updated and consistently reflect what they can do. 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 satisfactorily safeguarded because the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection issues and her responsibilities to protect children in her care. However, she has not ensured that her assistants have a secure understanding of safeguarding and evacuation procedures, and where to find children's records should they be required in an emergency. Assistants are responsible for children when the childminder takes and collects children from pre- school and school. The childminder has made parents aware of these arrangements but has not obtained written consent for all children when leaving her assistants in sole charge, which her conditions of registration do not permit. This is an offence unless the provider gives a reasonable excuse. Ofsted does not intend to prosecute on this occasion. Risk assessments are conducted for the home and outings, and appropriate safety arrangements are implemented in most areas.

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the early years provision

For example, the house and garden are secure and safety gates prevent children accessing the stairs.

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the early years provision

At the last inspection recommendations were raised to extend the range of activities to learn about the wider world and formalise the information exchanged with parents regarding their progression. The childminder has taken some steps to extend her resources reflecting diversity and incorporate them into daily activities. She has also introduced systems for recording children's progression through a combination of written observations, examples of children's work and photos. Local authority advisors have highlighted the importance of keeping these records up-to- date. The childminder knows children well and effectively uses this knowledge to ensure their learning is effectively promoted; however, she has not ensured progress records reflect children's achievements and are consistently updated all children. The childminder is keen to develop her provision and regularly attends training to update her knowledge of childcare practice. Changes have been made

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the early years provision

to the indoor and outdoor play areas and plans for further development are in place to enhance the garden and extend children's play. Resources are used well to promote learning and development. There is a good range and many are easily accessible from the self-selection storage units in the playroom.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents to support children's individual needs. Parents are well-informed about most aspects of the service provided and the care their children receive through ongoing discussions and daily diaries. Parents comment on how happy they are with the service provided, the variety of activities their children experience and the positive relationships that develop with the childminder and her assistants. Parents have an opportunity to contribute toward children's progress records during the year and receive an annual report. The childminder liaises with some settings children attend and has arrangements for working in partnership with other agencies to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident and at ease with the childminder. They enjoy playing games with her and are learning to take turns when sharing out the number cards. The childminder helps children to recognise numbers that are special to them and to count carefully and slowly so they do not make a mistake. They excitedly count how many fish there are, identify the numeral and then what number comes next. Children enthusiastically join in with singing a variety of songs and are easily introduced to positional language as they sing 'Hickory Dickory Dock' and reach up high and then low down. They work cooperatively together as they pretend to row a boat and eagerly suggest the next action as they sing 'If you're happy and you know it'. Children are praised when they do well, which boosts their confidence and helps them to behave well. Most understand what is expected of them, and after throwing something a child remembers they should say 'sorry'.

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and outcomes for children

Children experience a broad range of activities and outings which helps them to learn about the world around them and their environment. They practice and develop their physical skills when exploring play equipment at the park or scrambling around in the ball pool. Communication skills are encouraged as they talk about feeding the goats when asked to recall the trip to the farm. Children respond positively to the childminder and her assistants, and involve them in their play. They sit comfortably on cushions and become absorbed in listening and contributing to stories when sharing books in the play tent outside. Babies explore natural items in a treasure basket while older children create their own constructions with wooden blocks. Children of different ages develop strong relationships as they play with one another and adults. They demonstrate a clear sense of security and belonging in the sociable and confident manner in which they

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good knowledge of each child and their capabilities; however, this is not always reflected in her records or used to record their next steps for learning, which means the information is not readily available for her assistants should they need to refer to it. Children develop their hand-eye coordination as they develop stories with the play people in the dolls house, fit shapes into the shape sorter and use their spoons to feed themselves at lunch time. Examples of drawings and collage are included in children's folders and are displayed on the wall. Writing tools are available and children can access them on their own, although they are not easily seen to encourage use. Some resources are labelled which helps children become familiar with different words as well as their name.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to learn about how to play safely through daily routines and reminders, although, not all adults are fully aware of all the procedures to be implemented to ensure children's safety. Outdoor play forms part of children's regular routines and contributes towards a healthy lifestyle. Children enjoy nutritious snacks and meals and all ages sit sociably together around the table. Conversations develop as they wait for their lunch and older children remind the younger children about sitting quietly. Good hygiene routines are promoted This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 because adults are vigilant in reminding children to wash their hands and encouraging them to manage independently. 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 3 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 3 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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