Ysgol Gynradd Llanedy

Inspection report for early years provision

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400759 Unique Reference Number 07 June 2006 Inspection date Linda Cook Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is an experienced child carer; she lives with her husband and two teenage sons in a village a few miles from Northallerton. She is registered to care for six children under eight years at any one time and is currently caring for three children under five years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor and one bedroom is used for rest purposes. There is an enclosed garden which minded children access for outdoor play. The family have two pet rabbits which are kept in a hutch outdoors.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has access to a vehicle and is willing to take and collect children from local schools and other childcare groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The children thrive because they are cared for in a warm, clean environment where exceptionally high priority is given to their health and safety. The carefully planned routines and procedures are very effective in preventing cross infection. For example, the childminder has a detailed sick child policy and a wealth of information on childhood diseases and incubation periods which is shared with parents. The children are encouraged to manage their own personal hygiene. The childminder reminds them how to carefully wash and dry their hands and a pictorial step-by-step guide is displayed above the sink.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy the freshly cooked nutritious meals and snacks. Menus show a broad and varied range of good quality meals and good portions of fresh fruit and vegetables daily. The children learn about healthy eating through choosing from healthy options, discussions with the childminder and the activities they take part in. They are encouraged to try all that is provided and have a list displayed of unfamiliar foods they are going to try and tick off when they have tasted them.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children develop a very positive approach to being active in the outdoors. They delight in opportunities to play in the garden and visit local play parks where they can practise their climbing and balancing skills. Very regular trips to the local tots group, a soft play facility, dancing and completing action rhymes at the childminder's home ensures that the children's physical development continues to be very well addressed when the weather is not good. Children develop a very good understanding of the importance of exercise and the effects on the body through the planned topics. They enjoy physical activities as they mark events such as National Heart Week.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Risks of accidental injury are minimised because the childminder is extremely vigilant and provides effective supervision. The childminder puts a high emphasis on risk assessments to reduce potential hazards and reviews these regularly. Children safety is ensured on outings; the childminder has the restraints and car seats checked by professionals and ensures children have her mobile number on a wrist band or on a tag attached to their clothing in case they get lost. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder teaches them to cross roads safely and by explaining the boundaries to their behaviour. Their understanding is re-enforced when they complete activity books about safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children use high quality equipment which meets their developmental needs very well. This is clean, well maintained, age appropriate and covers all areas of learning. The childminder ensures a wide selection is available to the children which they can access safely and develop their independence to a good level as they make choices. The childminder has all the necessary documentation which promotes the safety and protection of children. She has a current first aid certificate. Children are protected from abuse or neglect because the childminder has a very

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 good understanding of child protection procedures, has attended training and produced a clear detailed child protection policy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children clearly enjoy their time spent with the childminder. They make excellent progress in their all round development because the childminder has a clear understanding of how children learn, the Birth to three framework and the Foundation Stage of learning. She uses her knowledge and experience to plan a very wide range of activities and experiences which children enjoy and are fun, stimulating and develop their imagination to a good level.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is highly successful in achieving an excellent balance between adult and child led experiences. Children are given time to fully absorb themselves in their chosen activity and explore resources at their own pace. For example, playing with small world resources pretending to wash the dolls clothes hanging them on the washing line to dry and then ironing them, using the pots and pans putting them on the hob to cook and answering the phone. Regular trips out provide the children with opportunities to explore and investigate they have visited the steam railway, a children's farm and various places of interest. As a result children are interested, highly motivated and eager to learn and confidently express their own ideas and needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The children are welcomed and valued because the childminder has a genuine respect for their individuality and for the family context of each child. She delights in their individual personalities and talks to them about their family members and family events providing children with a sense of security. Children develop very positive relationships with the childminder and other members of her family. They enjoy sharing books with her husband and delight in the company of her two teenage sons, who entertain the children by playing the guitar, doing magic tricks and share their snacks with them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children's behaviour is exemplary. They are relaxed, confident and demonstrate very high self-esteem which is evident particularly in the toddlers. The childminder supports young children very well offering them constant praise and encouragement for all their achievements great and small.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about their local community on their regular walks out and trips to places of interest. They are provided with very regular opportunities to enjoy mixing with their peers on their visits to the local tots group. Children learn about the wider world due to the meaningful range of activities and resources provided by the childminder. They dress up and celebrate festivals from other cultures and taste traditional food from those countries.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are exceptionally well informed. In addition to daily dialogue there is an extensive range of detailed policies and procedures informing them about the care provided; these are made available to them in a file for parents. They are encouraged to take this home and read it at their leisure at the start of the minding arrangement. Parents are asked to complete a detailed

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 questionnaire to ensure the children benefit from continuity of care and the childminder is fully aware of their individual needs. The childminder produces daily diary sheets and development records on the children's development in line with the Birth to three framework; these are shared with parents. Each child has a scrap book which provides an overall picture of the children's time spent with the childminder, their progress and the activities they have enjoyed; this is given to parents when the childminding arrangement ceases.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's care is enhanced by the very well organised space, resources and regular routines which enable the children to feel secure and develop their independence to a very high level. They benefit greatly from the childminder's highly professional approach and her on-going commitment to regular training which is put into practice, ensuring the good quality care is maintained and enhanced.

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Organisation

All requirements for documentation and record keeping to meet the National Standards are in place and these are stored appropriately to maintain confidentiality. The high quality of the care provided ensures overall the provision meets the needs of all the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection no specific improvement was identified and it was recommended the childminder continued to enhance her knowledge and understanding of all aspects of childcare.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has attends regular training, gathers information from various sources and generally keeps herself up to date with new developments, ensuring children continue to receive excellent care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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