Saint George Catholic Voluntary Aided College Southampton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 116507 Inspection date 13/06/2011 Inspector Julie Biddle

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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 1991. She lives on a farm in Wooburn Moor, near High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Children have access to the kitchen, playroom and hall way. The bathroom is accessed on the same floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. There are currently three children in the early years on roll. The childminder also cares for older children.

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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 provides a warm welcoming environment where children feel happy, secure and settled. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and ensures resources and activities are age appropriate and suitable. Most of the required paper work is in place. Effective partnerships are established with parents and with other professionals in supporting children. The childminder evaluates her practice well and is able to identify suitable areas for future development to support continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems for assessment of children's learning to include the next steps and challenges for children  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessment of risk for outings and trips  improve opportunities for children to gain an understanding of diversity in the local and wider world.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear understanding of her role in safeguarding children's welfare and provides written safeguarding policies for parents and carers, ensuring that they are fully aware of her responsibility to protect their children from harm. The childminder has made her home very safe and ensures all trips are safe, however, trips and outings are not included in the record of risk assessment. All required documentation is in place and policies and procedures are implemented very effectively to support the safety and welfare of all children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has a secure understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and as a result children are making good progress in their learning and development. Children have access to a range of activities and opportunities that challenge and stimulate the children. Children are encouraged to be as

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the early years provision

independent as possible, making choices about their play. The childminder is clear about her role in enhancing and promoting their learning and development. All children are welcomed into the setting and have equal access to all the activities and experiences on offer to them. Trips in the local community mean children are encouraged to develop an understanding of their own community and that of the wider world. However, the range of resources and activities that promote children's understanding of diversity are limited.

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the early years provision

Partnerships have been established with parents, they are highly successful and hlep the children to feel secure and safe. Parents praise the childminder in written comments, expressing their great satisfaction and praise with the quality of the childcare provided. Comments such as ''respectful and supportive'' ''children are tired and happy'' summarise the provision. Parents are very well informed about all aspects of of their child's development and progress through regular discussions and access to a detailed daily diary. The two-way communication with parents keeps the childminder informed about what children are doing at home and their emerging interests and development. The childminder establishes links with others who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage to the children she minds to support children's continuity and progression. The childminder works with other professional agencies to ensure children's individual needs are met.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to providing good quality care and learning opportunities for children. She values ongoing training and use self-evaluation to critically reflect on her practice to make continuous improvements to the provision. The childminder has met the recommendations raised at the last inspection.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and confident in the child friendly environment created by the childminder. Children are encouraged to develop their independence as they make their own decisions in the enabling environment by making choices about the toys and resources they play with. The childminder knows the children well, she has a good understanding of their likes, dislikes and capabilities. The childminder supports children's early language and communication skills, asking open ended questions to encourage them to become independent thinkers. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage welfare and learning and development requirements, and as a result children are safe and secure and are making good progress across the six areas of learning. Children have the opportunity to participate in a varied range of activities and opportunities to support their achievement and enjoyment. The childminder has

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and outcomes for children

started to keep observations of the children, however, these are in their infancy and do not effectively link to the next steps in the children's learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children's safety and security is well promoted. The premises are safe and secure, with appropriate safety equipment in place. The childminder talks to the children about keeping safe and how to take safe risks. She, for example reminds children how to keep safe when they are out in the community. In addition she talks to children and parents about internet safety. Children are provided with healthy snacks and drinks and they learn about the benefits of having a healthy lifestyle. The childminder talks to the children about good sleep routines and how fresh air and exercise is important to support a healthy lifestyle. They have excellent opportunities for fresh air and exercise, both in the garden and in the local

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and outcomes for children

community. Children particularly enjoy opportunities to walk on nature trials, and visit local gardens looking for signs of the changing seasons. Furthermore children gain an understanding of nature and where their food comes from. They grow their own tomato plants and eat fruit grown in the childminders orchard. Children have opportunities to develop large physical skills, for example, as they use bikes and scooters and develop manipulative skills through access to a variety of toys and resources.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a range of play activities, both indoors and outdoors each day, which promotes their learning and enjoyment. Children are encouraged to develop self help skills by selecting toys and equipment of their choice. Children are confident, happy and settled and have good relationships with the childminder; They are encouraged to develop respect for each other through discussion and by sharing and taking turns with resources. Children develop mark making and writing skills through access to a variety of activities, at the local drop- in group. Children enjoy reading stories with the childminder and snuggle close as they look at books, discussing the pictures. The childminder provides a running commentary of the day's activities involving the children with decision making as they decide the next story to read.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing an understanding of numbers through spontaneous and planned activities, for example, as they identify numbers, colours and count during spontaneous every day activities such as how many cars they see on the journey to school. Children's interest in music has been enhanced by opportunities to see a ''real'' orchestra, wonderful pictures show children's delighted faces as they listen to violin and cello. . 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 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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