St David and St Katharine CofE Secondary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 102160 Inspection date 23/03/2012 Inspector Caren Carpenter

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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 1997. She lives with her husband and two adult children in a three-bedroomed house in the Kentish town area, within the London Borough of Camden. The living room, kitchen/dining room and a bedroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed outdoor play area.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children aged under eight years, of whom three may be in the early years age group. The childminder is currently caring for four children in the early years age range, on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools. She attends the local children's centres, library and parks.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder creates an extremely relaxed, homely and highly inclusive environment where children make excellent progress in their learning and development. The well-organised learning environment captures children's interest exceptionally well. Partnerships with parents are highly valued, and ensure children's individual needs are met successfully. The childminder constantly reflects on her practice, enabling her to accomplish the outstanding quality for which she strives. She is keen to develop the outdoor play space to enhance children's learning experiences. The childminder demonstrates an excellent capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 developing further the outdoor play space to enhance children's learning experiences and to provide greater challenges for them.

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the early years provision

The childminder gives excellent priority to safeguarding. The child protection policy includes details of who to contact in the event of any concerns arising. The childminder's participation in child protection training means she has a very secure awareness of the signs and symptoms where children's welfare and safety might This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 be at risk. Risk assessments are excellent. They assess everything that the children come into contact with and help the childminder minimise hazards and accidents indoors and out.

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the early years provision

The childminder is extremely motivated and ambitious with a clear vision for her provision. She ensures the continuous improvement of her provision by assessing and evaluating what she does well. The childminder shows a strong commitment to developing and improving her practice. Since gaining her early years qualification, she feels she has more in-depth knowledge and understanding of childcare issues that significantly improve outcomes for children. The childminder is keen to develop the outdoor play space to enhance children's learning experiences further and to provide greater challenges to them. Excellent improvements have been made since the last inspection. For example, the childminder has developed comprehensive and rigorous systems for recording any complaints made by parents and for acting on any concerns.

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the early years provision

The organisation of the childminding provision is exemplary in all major respects. The childminder organises the play resources superbly enabling children to make choices about their play and promoting their independence. Children's independence skills are supported very well because they can choose from an exciting and attractive range of quality play resources that are stored in easily accessible boxes. The childminder plans flexible daily routines, providing an exceptionally well-balanced day for the children. As a result, they have a considerable wide range of experiences, both in the home and the local community

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the early years provision

Documentation relating to children's individual needs and care routines are meticulous and reflect a high level of confidentiality. The childminder promotes equality and diversity extremely well. For example, all the children are encouraged to try out the full range of available activities and play equipment. Children are taught to respect other people and their way of life. The childminder's work in partnership with other professionals to meet children's individual needs is outstanding. She has established excellent links with the local children's centre and makes highly effective use of advice and support to further meet the individual needs of the children.

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the early years provision

Engagement with parents is outstanding. The childminder obtains a superb range of information from parents about children's learning and development when they start. This is used extremely effectively to plan and provide care that meets children's individual needs and interests. The childminder provides parents with high quality information about the Early Years Foundation Stage. Each child has a detailed and attractively presented development folder which is shared with parents. Very positive comments from parents demonstrate their high level of satisfaction with the service. Parents write saying their children receive 'exemplary care', 'she is a first class childminder, she is incredible, loving and caring' and that their children's learning is extremely well stimulated. Parents also say that the childminder keeps them extremely well informed about their children's daily routine. They detail how she encourages them to share what their children have

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the early years provision

enjoyed doing over the weekends. For example, about trips to various places of interest so that she can build on, and extend, their play and learning experiences. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

All children flourish under the support, care and dedication from the childminder. who plans and provide an excellent range of activities indoors and in the local area to thoroughly engage children's interests. This helps them to make excellent progress in all areas of their learning. The childminder knows all children extremely well and has effective systems in place to monitor their progress. Detailed assessment and photographic observation records show children engage in a superb range of activities across the six areas of learning and the next steps planned for their development link effectively to the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing their early literacy skills very well and have excellent access to a superb range of quality books, as well as opportunities to visit the library where they enjoy participating in story, singing and rhyme sessions. Children are making outstanding progress in their problem-solving skills. They complete jigsaw puzzles, identify numbers, shapes, sort, match and compare during a wide range of practical activities, developing excellent skills for the future. Children have superb opportunities to develop their creative skills and thoroughly enjoy designing and creating their pictures using a wide range of colourful arts and craft materials. Children gain great enjoyment from participating in cooking activities, learning to make healthy and nutritious food such as tuna fish-cake, scones and carrot cake.

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and outcomes for children

Children have tremendous opportunities to learn about animals and birds during their regular trips to London Zoo, the city farm and Hampstead Heath. For example, they observe and learn about penguins, giraffes, chickens, pigs and horses. They also have excellent opportunities to find out about sea-world creatures such as crabs and fish. Children's achievement is supported exceptionally well through excellent first-hand experiences that encourage exploration and experimentation. They observe baby chickens hatching and learn about how they grow into hens. They learn how plants grow and enjoy planting and observing their cress and sunflower plants which they help to water and look after. Children also have a wonderful time when visiting the children's centre and toddler groups and participate in a superb range of activities such as painting, water and sand play, arts and craft. This provides tremendous learning experiences as well as

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and outcomes for children

numerous opportunities to extend their social skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning very good personal hygiene through consistent, thorough routines and positive role modelling by the childminder. This significantly enhances children's emerging understanding of how to help stop germs spreading and keep themselves well and healthy. Parents are closely consulted about any dietary needs their children may have and information is recorded. Parents provide their children's healthy home-cooked meals and a selection of fresh fruits daily, which helps children to gain an excellent understanding of healthy eating. Children recognise when they are thirsty and readily drink fresh water throughout the day. Children greatly enjoy excellent opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They visit the local parks, the heath and local children's centre to use an excellent range of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 outdoor equipment and free open space to develop their physical skills.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is extremely proactive in teaching children about road safety. As well as this, the children take part in fire drills and routines that teach them simple, but effective ways to stay safe. Very positive relationships are nurtured and the children are extremely settled and happy in the childminder's care. This is reflected in their behaviour, which is managed in an extremely caring and sensitive way, ensuring children's concerns and needs are fully supported. 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 1 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 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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