St Paul's Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 147485 Inspection date 06/04/2011 Inspector Jill Nugent

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder registered in 1990. She lives with her husband and two children, one adult and one aged 14 years, in a house in Barnet. The whole of the house is used for childminding but the back garden is not accessible to children. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of four children under eight, of whom three may be in the early years age group, at any one time. Currently she has five children on roll, and of these, one is on the Early Years Register and four on the Childcare Register. She walks to local schools to take and collect children.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is enthusiastic about her childcare practice and offers an inclusive play environment for children of all ages. Her key strength is her partnership working and this contributes to children's developmental needs being met extremely well. She prioritises children's well-being, ensuring that they keep safe and healthy in her care. Since her previous inspection she has concentrated on her own professional development and this has had a positive impact on the outcomes for all children.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 look at ways to develop own skills to support the childcare practice.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder's documentation is well organised and her written policies are particularly reader friendly. She has effective procedures in place to ensure that children are safeguarded while in her care. She carries out risk assessments of her premises and of each type of outing children take part in, with an emphasis on detailing appropriate safety procedures for walks to and from schools. Her knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures is regularly updated so that she knows exactly what to do if she has any concerns relating to safeguarding.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent working partnership with parents, other professionals and providers. She liaises closely with children's schools so that she can actively support children in their learning at school and also provide a strong This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 link between teachers and parents. She is both sensitive, and thorough, in her communications with others so that children benefit from consistency of care. She provides very useful information about herself and her practice for parents. They appreciate her weekly diaries, and also children's learning journeys, which help to keep them up to date with their children's progress. All parents express high levels of satisfaction with the standard of care their children receive and value the childminder's professional approach.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a wide range of interesting resources that are set out for children to access independently, with a selection of special resources that they can also request. In this way she encourages children to make their own choices of play activities. She takes care to be flexible in her organisation so that children are offered opportunities to relax as well as to do any set tasks after school. Children feel valued because she is always attentive to their individual needs and requests, encouraging them to play together happily.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is committed to the ongoing development of her childcare practice through accessing further training and has now achieved a level three childcare qualification. In addition she has attended numerous courses to learn more about different aspects of childcare. She evaluates her practice through seeking parents' views and reflecting on these in order to further improve. She is very aware of her strengths and has relevant targets for the future, including developing her own skills, for example, in computing, to support her childcare practice.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate a real sense of belonging and show much respect for the childminder. They are aware of the childminder's expectations, they use good manners and behave responsibly. She encourages them to talk about ways in which they can make a positive contribution to the group, for example, by discussing any problems. Children enjoy choosing their own play activities and share together harmoniously. They are kind and helpful to each other, developing close relationships. They gain self-confidence in the setting and learn to keep themselves and others safe.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children become absorbed in their chosen play activities and follow up their own interests, often choosing their favourite resources, for example, a play kitchen or construction equipment. The childminder interacts with children, encouraging them to communicate and offering help if necessary, for example, in creative activities. Children enjoy making things, especially on a theme, and have recently created Easter egg collages, cards and stories. They like to participate in role play, devising and developing imaginary situations using a variety of small world resources. They learn about diversity in a wider world and benefit from opportunities for special outings in the school holidays.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder uses an effective system of observational assessment to record children's progress towards the early learning goals. Children's learning journeys This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 include a mix of photographs and written observations linked to the six learning areas. She supports children in developing key skills for the future, particularly in the areas of communication, literacy and numeracy. For example, children develop their skills through story telling, writing, drawing, sorting and comparing. Children are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles, such as good hygiene practices. They enjoy a variety of healthy and nutritious meals, long walks and regular outings to the local park. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8