St Joseph's Catholic Primary Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 148482 Inspection date 02/05/2012 Inspector Melissa Cox

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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 1995. She lives with her partner, adult son and school age daughter in Lower Earley, near Reading. The childminder works with another registered childminder who minds at the same property. Both childminders have equal responsibility for the childminding practice. The whole of the premises is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children at any one time; of these, only three may be in the early years age range at any one time. When working with a co-childminder, she is able to care for eight children under eight years; of these, not more than six may be in the early years age group, and of these, not more than two may be under one year at any one time.

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Description of the childminding

There are currently 12 children on roll, of these, six are in the early years range. The family has pet gerbils.

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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 and her co-childminder provide a happy, welcoming environment, in which children's welfare is successfully promoted. Children take part in a wide range of activities and make good progress in all areas of learning. Inclusive practice is promoted well and children are very much valued and respected as individuals. Most of the required documentation is in place and effectively implemented, supporting children's safety. Partnerships with other childcare settings are well established to support children's development and parents are offered some opportunities to support learning at home. The childminder and her co-childminder assess their provision well and accurately identify areas for improvement. They show a sound commitment to continuous improvement and have good systems in place to evaluate the effectiveness of their practice.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 provide Ofsted, on request, with a written record of all complaints made during any specified period, and the action which was taken as a result of each complaint (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 06/06/2012 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 increase opportunities for parents to regularly contribute to their child's learning and development record

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded, because the childminder clearly understands her role in child protection. She has accessed up-to-date training and has booked further courses to ensure that she is fully aware of the procedures to follow, should a concern arise. Children's safety is promoted, both on and off the premises. Well written risk assessments and a series of checks are undertaken daily to ensure that the premises, resources and activities are safe for children to access. The childminder has been established for some time and has devised detailed policies and procedures to promote the safe and efficient management of the provision, which clearly underpins her practice. Most required documentation is appropriately maintained; however, the childminder does not have a record of complaints to present to Ofsted on request, which is a statutory requirement.

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the early years provision

The effectiveness with which the childminder promotes equality and diversity is positive and is reflected in the way she helps children to feel they belong. This is particularly beneficial for children with English as an additional language and she strives to meet their developing language needs. She uses her knowledge well to inform activities and to ensure that all children are valued and included in all activities. The environment is welcoming; a good range of well-organised resources and age-appropriate equipment promotes interest and enjoyment for the children. The resources reflecting diversity are varied and they are used effectively to encourage the children's awareness of the multicultural world. Good levels of support are offered by the childminder, who skilfully adapts and varies activities, in order to meet individual needs.

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the early years provision

The children benefit from the good relationships forged between the childminder and their parents. Effective communication channels, through the use of parents' evenings, learning journals and daily discussions promote collaborative partnerships where parents are respected and valued. Feedback from parents reflects their appreciation of the high standard of care provided by the childminder. The childminder has developed effective partnerships with local settings who are involved in the care and learning of the children. She discusses information with staff when she drops off or picks up children and regularly views information about their learning to allow her to plan a range of activities to complement what children have learnt at nursery or pre-school.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very passionate and dedicated in her role as a childminder, and demonstrates a professional approach to her work with the children and their families. The childminder has a clear vision of how she wants her childminding service to continue to develop. Systems for self-evaluation and driving This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 improvement are effective overall, and the childminder has taken active steps to involve parents, children and her co-childminder in this process. In order to drive further improvement, she has continued to develop her knowledge and update her skills, gaining further support from training events and networking with other providers to enhance what she has to offer. Feedback from parents, carers and children enables the childminder to tailor the service provided to those currently attending. The recommendations raised at the previous inspection have been

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the early years provision

positively addressed and the garden has been assessed for poisonous plants. This has a favourable impact on improving outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

All children enjoy warm relationships with the childminder and form positive relationships with other minded children. Good quality interaction and well- organised routines help young children to be secure and confident in the care of this childminder. All children are making good progress in their learning and development as a result of the effective systems in place for observation and planning. Systems for gathering key information from parents are effective in establishing what children know, their likes and dislikes, daily routines and things important to them at home. This information is used to help children settle and to plan for their individual needs and interests. The childminder effectively captures children's progress through many different photos and her recorded observations are linked effectively to the areas of learning. Plans are used flexibly to follow the direction that children may wish to take, thereby sustaining their interest and

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and outcomes for children

promoting children's self-esteem and creative ideas. She identifies and links children's next steps to her planning, but does not yet to fully involve parents in this process.

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and outcomes for children

Children progress well in communication, language and literacy because the childminder communicates with them effectively. She gives them time and space to play, listens to them with genuine interest and helps them to develop new skills at their own pace. Children have lots of opportunities to draw, write and make marks. Their understanding of writing for a purpose, letters and numbers is well supported and encouraged as children ask to make 'get well cards' for a friend who is unwell. Children's awareness of problem solving, reasoning and numeracy is fostered very effectively. The childminder talks to children about colour, size and shape names as they play, and further promotes their understanding through activities, such as baking or preparing food.

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and outcomes for children

Available resources help children develop their knowledge and understanding of technology, through access to the computer and good opportunities to learn how to operate a variety of electronic toys. A range of activities are planned to help children make sense of the world around them; they learn about seasons, and the natural environment. They plant fruit and vegetables and explore nature around them, for example by observing the birds nesting in the tree. Children's creativity is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 fully supported by a wide variety of resources for art and craft, musical instruments, dancing, role play and dressing up. Children explore the properties of sand and water and construct on a large scale, for example, making use of a selection of cardboard boxes to enhance their play.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and self-assured. They behave well because they know what is expected of them and receive lots of praise and encouragement, helping them to develop a clear sense of right and wrong. Their knowledge about personal safety is encouraged by gentle reminders from the childminder to pick up the toys so they do not trip, road safety activities and regular evacuation drills. This contributes to children developing a sense of danger and knowing how to keep themselves safe. Children have good opportunities to learn about healthy lifestyles as they help with food preparation or engage in topic work about healthy choices. Nutritious meals and snacks are provided in accordance with parents' wishes and children's routines, with drinks readily available throughout the day. Children remain healthy because effective hygiene routines are followed, including a suitable sickness policy and children rest and sleep according to their individual needs. Regular use of the

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and outcomes for children

well-resourced garden and trips to parks or the local playing field supports children's understanding of the importance of exercise. 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 make available to Ofsted, on request, a summary of complaints made in relation to the requirements during the past 12 months and the action that was taken as a consequence (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 06/06/2012

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 06/06/2012

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