Ysgol Gynradd Sirol Wdig

Inspection report for early years provision

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400652 Unique Reference Number 19 June 2006 Inspection date Ann Doubleday 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 good. 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 was registered in 1992. She lives with her husband, adult daughter and her daughter aged 13 years old in the centre of Northallerton. The ground floor of the childminder's home and the master bedroom and bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden to the rear of the property.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for four pre school children and two children over eight-years-old occasionally before and after school. The childminder's daughter is also a registered childminder and works from the family home. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent / toddler group and runs a childminding group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 good. Children enjoy a range of physical activities that contribute to their good health. Daily activities include opportunities for children to be outdoors as they play in the garden or go for a walk. Children are able to rest and be active according to their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder gives children good support and guidance to help them to gain a sound understanding of hygiene. For example, children are beginning to gain an understanding of hand washing routines as their hands are washed before and after meals and snacks, and the childminder is a good role model. Daily routines reinforce good hygiene and act as helpful reminders to encourage children's increasing independence.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm, clean home. This contributes to their good health and sense of security. The childminder has appropriate hygiene routines in place to protect and promote children's health. She has clear procedures in place regarding sick children, medication and accident recording.

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Helping children to be healthy

Arrangements for snacks, meals and drinks are negotiated with parents so that children's individual dietary needs are met appropriately. The childminder provides meals for older children and younger children's meals are provided by their parents. Children are offered regular drinks throughout the day and are encouraged to drink more during warm weather.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming home where risks are identified and minimised. This means that they are able to move around safely. The childminder gives priority to help children understand how to keep themselves safe; for example, she teaches them how to cross roads safely. Appropriate fire safety equipment is in place. An emergency evacuation plan is in place and is practised regularly with the children. This means that they are safe in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use a range of good quality toys and equipment, which is appropriate to their age and stage of development. The toys are well organised in boxes in the porch, a selection is set out each day and children can ask for the toys that they would like to play with. The childminder ensures that they are clean and safe for children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all the legally required documentation in place to ensure that children's welfare is promoted. For example, she holds a current first aid certificate and has a sound understanding of child protection procedures.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of child development and this means that children's personal, social and intellectual development is well fostered and supported. Close and caring relationships have been developed between the childminder and the children, which increases children's sense of trust and helps them to develop a strong sense of self.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides a range of interesting activities, which take into account children's individual interests and contribute to their development. Children's communication skills are developing well as a result of the childminder talking and listening to them. She encourages them to talk about what they are doing and sensitively supports their language development. The childminder is interested in what the children do and say and becomes actively involved in their play. As a result, children are interested, motivated and their all-round development is promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's self-esteem is developing as a result of the childminder encouraging and praising them and valuing what they have to offer. Children are very settled and happy in the childminder's care. Routines and care practices have been established, which are consistent with home, promote children's sense of security and develop their confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are beginning to learn about the wider world through sensitive discussions with the childminder who also acts as a positive role model, however, there are limited resources and activities available to develop children's awareness fully regarding diversity. They are beginning to learn about the local community as they go for walks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are welcomed into the setting and participate in all activities because the childminder respects their individuality. The childminder uses positive strategies for managing behaviour, she gives children praise for their achievements. This helps the children to understand the boundaries that are set and to behave well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership that the childminder has developed with their parents. Parents receive a prospectus about the setting and their views about their children's needs are sought before the child starts. Parents are kept informed about their child's day and activities, both verbally and in writing. This enables the childminder to meet each child's individual needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and at ease with the childminder and in the environment. This means that they are confident to initiate their own play and learning. Adult-child ratios are maintained with good organisation of time to allow children one to one attention to meet their individual needs.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder keeps her own knowledge up-to-date by attending further training, the knowledge gained is used to improve the care that is given to the children. Policies and procedures are in place and support good practice, this ensures that parents are well informed of their children's progress. All legally required records are in place, however, the register does not always show the hours of children's attendance. This means that children's welfare is not fully safeguarded.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to improve documentation and to ensure that activities and resources are available to raise children's awareness of diversity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Documentation has improved. Consent is now in place from parents for taking children on outings and for seeking medical advice in an emergency. This means that children's welfare is safeguarded. The childminder has some resources in place to raise children's awareness of diversity, but has not yet completed activities with children to increase their knowledge of the wider world.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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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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 good. 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • develop the range of activities and resources offered to children that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice • make sure the register includes the hours of all children's attendance.

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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 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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