Our Lady and St Patrick's Roman Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 140695 Inspection date 08/06/2011 Inspector Lilyanne Taylor

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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 1996. She lives with her husband and teenage daughter in an end terrace house situated in a residential area of Cheddington a village in mid Buckinghamshire. The whole of the premise is registered for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The premises are in close proximity to schools, shops, parks and woods. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register as well as the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. A maximum of six children under eight years may be cared for at any one time; of these no more than three may be in the early years age range. Currently the childminder has 13 children on roll; of these, four are in the early years age group. The childminder operates Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm all year round.

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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 an environment where all children and their parents are given a warm welcome and valued as individuals. She is fully committed to her ongoing professional development and implements the Early Years Foundation Stage framework effectively. Her practice in relation to safeguarding children's welfare and helping them to learn to keep themselves safe is exemplary. The childminder works successfully in partnership with children's parents and uses the knowledge she has of the children well to ensure all their individual care needs are met and she helps them to progress well in their learning and development. Partnership with other settings children attend ensures consistency of care but does not work effectively to support their learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve partnership working with other early years settings children attend so as to establish channels of communication that promote children's learning and development as well as their welfare.

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the early years provision

The childminder has excellent knowledge of the signs that may indicate a child is being abused and is fully aware of the procedures she should follow in order to ensure children receive the protection they require at the earliest opportunity. She shares her written child protection policy with parents so they are aware of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 duty and responsibility she has to protect children in her care. All persons living in the household aged over 16 years have had their suitability to be around children verified and records maintained clearly show when children are in the childminder's care. The childminder places a strong emphasis on children's safety and so she can be sure the existing knowledge she has of child protection issues remains up to date her plans for the future include attending a safeguarding children course. She has comprehensive written records of her thorough risk assessments for the

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the early years provision

premises indoors, outdoors and for outings. These are regularly reviewed and identify the action required to be taken in order to minimise accidents. The childminder's highly effective implementation of the policies and procedures she works to, along with the visitors she invites into her setting, has a highly positive impact on the knowledge children have of how they can keep themselves safe.

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the early years provision

The childminder holds a current first aid certificate so is able to deal with any minor injuries children may sustain. Records for administering medication and for the recording of accidents are well maintained and shared with parents as required.

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the early years provision

The provision is well arranged to encourage children's independence; resources are stored so as to be easily accessible. Storage boxes are clearly labelled with written words and pictures. As a result all children are able to make an informed choice of what they want to play with. Children have access to positive images of diversity in their books and toys and they learn about the lifestyle of others through food tasting activities and celebration events. Children are able move freely around the lower floor of the property while still being under the childminders close supervision.

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the early years provision

The childminder reflects on her practice and this has helped her to highlight her strengths and priorities for development. She has fully addressed a recommendation raised at her last inspection which has had a positive impact on her being able to ensure the good health of children is promoted. Her plans for improvement are well-targeted to further improve outcomes for children and to maintain continuous improvement of the provision.

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the early years provision

Parents are informed of all the policies and procedures the childminder works to so they are aware of the care and education they can expect their children to receive. Children benefit from the clear lines of communication the childminder has with their parents. She uses the information shared to adapt routines and to plan activities that support and meet all children's needs. Through feedback at the end of the day parents are kept very well informed of how their children have spent their time, the care they have been provided and any achievements they may have made through their play. Parents express the childminder has a caring approach and she ensures their children's lives are enriched through the activities provided. Children love being in the care of the childminder and they show reluctance to leave her when it is time to go home.

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the early years provision

Some children also attend other Early Years Foundation Stage provision. Friendly communication takes place between the childminder and setting staff. However, the information being shared between the childminder and the pre-school setting at this time is only assuring that the care of children is being continuously This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 supported. Information is not routinely shared to support children's achievement.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder observes children while they play and has good knowledge of their capabilities. Her interaction with children is good and children show they have a good relationship with her. Children enjoy the childminder joining in with their play which extends their learning and concentration and supports them to make good progress in all areas of their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is very good; they are kept fully occupied and engaged in a wide range of activities that they find interesting and stimulating. They know they must share and take turns and through their attendance at local Sure Start groups and outings and visits they make to other childminders they are beginning to socialise with other adults and children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are able to make their own choice of toys they wish to play with and they use their imagination well. For example while pretending to run a cafe they use a cardboard box to make an oven and an upturned storage box as a table. With assistance from the childminder children use scissors to cut out paper circles and use these as heating rings on the cooker. They talk about their positioning thus learning the meaning of front and back. Through further discussion children gain an understanding of how the bottle tops they are using as knobs on the cooker can be used to adjust the temperature of the oven. Children show their awareness of how to operate electronic play equipment; they warm their play food in a microwave by turning the dial and pushing the button.

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and outcomes for children

Children are becoming confident communicators and like to share their experiences with others. For example they recall past events such as the time they walked up the path to the local church and saw a deer resting.

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and outcomes for children

Children are becoming aware of people who work within the community. During a visit from the local community police officer, children learnt about road safety and experienced sitting in and exploring the inside of a police car. Through discussion with the local recycling collector's they learnt that discarded household items such as glass, plastic and newspaper can be re-cycled and how the mechanisms within the lorry sorts these into various compartments. Following on from this, children now help to sort the childminder's recyclable materials ready for collection.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to follow a healthy lifestyle and enjoy regular outings to the park and woods. The childminder encourages children to eat healthily and they thoroughly enjoy the nutritious fruit and vegetable snacks provided. Children are very well aware of what constitutes good hygiene practice with regards to eating and are becoming independent in managing their own personal hygiene when they visit the bathroom.

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and outcomes for children

All children show a strong sense of security and feel safe in the childminder's care. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 They show an excellent awareness of how they can ensure their own safety. They confidently tell others the rules they must follow when they are away from the premises, and, that if the fire alarm goes off in the house they have to line up at the door ready to exit. Children use tools and equipment safely, further demonstrating their exceptional safety awareness. 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 1 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 1 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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