St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Birkenhead

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 105092 Inspection date 16/03/2012 Inspector Melanie Eastwell

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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 1987. She lives with her husband, her adult daughter and 6 year old grandchild, in Luton, Bedfordshire, close to shops, schools, parks and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding four children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to ten years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children and she attends local toddler groups and a local childminding support group.

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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 is developing a good knowledge of each child's needs which makes sure their welfare and learning is generally promoted. Children are safe and secure and they enjoy the childminder's gentle and positive interaction with them. The partnerships with parents and the local school are effective and this contributes to individual children's needs being met. Therefore, children progress well given their unique starting points. The childminder has begun the process of self-evaluation and she is keen to develop this further to ensure that she identifies areas of strong practice and her priorities for the future.

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further?

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

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further?

 expand upon the procedures for self-evaluation to identify areas for further development and to continue to improve the outcomes for children  develop further the procedures for observation and assessment by using the Practice Guidance document to relate to what the children do, link the observations to the relevant areas of learning and begin to identify appropriate next steps for each child. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has recently returned to childminding for other families after a period of time caring for her grandchildren. She has maintained and updated all the required documentation, policies and procedures which underpin her daily activity with the children. Safeguarding is given high priority. The childminder has recently completed updated training in safeguarding and she understands the importance of following the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures in the event of any concerns. All the adults in the household have the required clearances in place and comprehensive risk assessments have been completed on all aspects of the childminders house and garden and on each type of outing that involves the children. The childminder has a wide range of play materials and resources that are set out to be easily accessible to the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely with the children's parents to ensure their individual needs can be met. She is thorough in her discussions regarding dietary and health needs as well as finding out about babies' routines. Children's records are shared with parents and they receive daily feedback, both written and verbal regarding their food intake, nappy changes, and sleep times and about the activities they have enjoyed during the day. Ongoing discussions and updates ensure that children's specific needs continue to be met effectively. The childminder is aware of the benefits to children and the importance of partnership working with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has some links with the local school. She regularly looks at their displayed planning and spends time in the reception class when she can. This effective partnership working contributes to a consistent approach and a smooth transition for the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has commenced implementing procedures for self-evaluation. She has completed a document to confirm that she is meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, she has not yet identified her areas of strong practice or her plans for the future development of her childminding service. She has sought the views of the children's parents through testimonials and they report positive and complimentary comments about the care their children receive and she demonstrates a good capacity for continuous improvement. For example, she has taken action on the recommendations made at the previous inspection and she has kept her knowledge up to date through attending relevant training courses.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure with the childminder. For example, babies respond to her positive facial expressions and gentle words, they readily settle to sleep and smile at her when they wake up. Children are learning how to keep themselves safe through discussions with the childminder about road safety and through practising the emergency evacuation drills. These prompt This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children to draw pictures of how they would exit the childminder's premises in case of emergency. The childminder provides the children with a good range of play materials that are entirely appropriate for their ages and follow their interests and older children are consulted about what they would like to do. The childminder supports children to work together, to take turns and to share. Children begin to learn about the wider world through the range of play materials that celebrate

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and outcomes for children

diversity and through becoming involved in festivals and seasonal events including Halloween, Pancake day, Mother's Day and Easter. Children's continued good health is promoted because the childminder discusses any allergies or dietary needs with their parents before providing healthy snacks for them and storing their lunchboxes appropriately. Babies' feeds are provided by their parents and the childminder seeks detailed information regarding the times for feeding and the required temperature of the bottles. Older children are able to be independent in the bathroom. They have their own towels and begin to understand the benefits of maintaining their own personal hygiene through discussion with the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder ably contributes to children feeling comfortable and relaxed in her home. She provides them with a good range of activities that cover the six areas of learning. She currently cares for the children on a small scale basis which enables her to give each child plenty of individual attention and time to settle new children. Babies enjoy her positive interaction, she speaks to them and offers them a range of toys that they explore with their hands and mouth. She is able to anticipate their need for food and when they need a sleep. Each child has a book that records photographs and observations. The childminder demonstrates a suitable knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and she has begun to make observations. However, she does not yet use the Practice Guidance document to link these to the relevant areas of learning or identify each child's next steps in learning to clearly demonstrate their progression. Children benefit from this

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and outcomes for children

childminder's gentle and sensitive approach which contributes to their feelings of well-being and belonging in her home. 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 3 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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