Shirenewton Junior & Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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401486 Unique Reference Number 18 September 2006 Inspection date Cynthia Walker 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 satisfactory. 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 June 2001. She lives with her three children aged 13, 11 and nine years. The family live in a terraced house on the outskirts of Harrogate. The childminder is within walking distance of the local parks and shops. She uses the whole of the ground floor, which includes the lounge and kitchen, for childminding. The childminder is an approved foster carer. Children use the first floor to access the toilet. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children, who attend on a full and part time basis. She visits the local toddler groups on a regular basis. The childminder takes children to and collects them from the local school daily. The family have a dog, a cat, a rabbit, a guinea pig and a lizard.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding network. She has completed the Extending Childminding Practice training course.

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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 satisfactory. Children are reasonably nourished with the inclusion of fruit and vegetables in their snacks and meals. They are actively involved in the preparation of their midday break as they help to make sandwiches. Drinks are offered regularly to the children and include the option of water. There are systems in place to record the children's dietary requirements to ensure their individual needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing an understanding of personal hygiene as they wash their hands after going to the toilet and before they prepare their sandwich, which is reinforced by the childminder as she discusses washing away the germs. The childminder demonstrates that children are cared for appropriately if they have an accident or need medication because she follows the appropriate procedures, however, the relevant permissions are not in place for all children. A written policy is in place to support children if they become ill. Younger children are developing emotional well-being through loving and caring relationships.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to enjoy physical activity as they regularly access the outdoor area, walk daily to school and go on visits to the park. They access large equipment, such as, slides and climbing frames either at the park or at their visits to toddler groups. There is a reasonable range of resources to help children acquire physical skills which include wheeled toys, a scooter, a trampoline and a rocking boat.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a secure environment where most risks have been identified and minimised, however, permissions are not in place for children to travel in the childminder's car. Regular fire drills, which are supported by clear fire evacuation notices, reinforce the children's understanding of fire safety. Children are learning about keeping safe as simple road safety is introduced as they walk to school, especially the use of the pelican crossing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is providing a comfortable and relaxing environment for the children in her care with resources arranged around the room. Children can access a broad range of resources appropriate for all ages of children and actively supports their learning and development. The range of resources available for children is supplemented by the childminder through the local toy library and a shared creativity box organised by the childminding support group. The childminder maintains the safety of the equipment for children through regular checks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are effectively safeguarded because the childminder has sufficient understanding of child protection procedures which are in line with the local Safeguarding Children Board.

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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. Children are involved in a wide range of activities. This is highlighted in the children's daily diaries and files of work, which include examples of the children's painting and sticking activities. Weekly planning is displayed within the entrance, with this week's theme being 'pink'. Photographs which are included in the children's documentation highlight their visit to the police and having their finger prints taken. Other activities portrayed include feeding the ducks, making sandwiches, creative activities and visits to a theme park.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy playing a board game with the childminder, patiently taking turns and showing great excitement as they select the appropriate card. They move to completing a selection of jigsaws in which they demonstrate good concentration. The childminder actively encourages the children and praises them for their achievements. Children are interested in the childminder's lizard and spend time watching it move and questioning if it has had its food. They use their imagination to organise a group of small world figures and use language to imitate their individual voices. Children enjoy looking at books with the childminder who reinforces the children's recognition of animals and supports them to count successfully to five.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder's effective interaction and sensitive questioning supports the children's learning. Children's experience is supported by visits to the library, toddler groups and trips in the local area. During discussion children explain that they enjoy coming to the childminder's and their favourite activities are playing with the toy kitchen and the calculator.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a reasonable range of resources to support children's awareness of diversity, which includes small world figures, a doll and books. Activities linked to the children's culture and those of others are introduced at the childminder group meetings. Detailed policies on equal opportunities and special needs reinforce the childminder's working practice. The childminder actively works with children with disability and liaises with parents to support the children's individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well in response to the calm and consistent reactions from the childminder. The childminder supports her behaviour management with a clear written policy which incorporates the simple rules within the home. Young children are developing confidence from exploration within close relationships.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with parents to ensure appropriate care is given. The ongoing needs of the children are met by sharing information on their children's day verbally and through daily diaries. Notices within the entrance area display ongoing information, however, there is no system in place for recording complaints.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has most of the required documentation in place to support the welfare, care and learning of children. She supports this with a clear professional file which includes a selection of written policies linked to some of the National Standards. The childminder organises her space appropriately allowing children to feel confident and secure in their environment. She manages her time effectively to enable children to widen their experiences whilst maintaining their routines. The childminder has a positive attitude to training and has completed the Extending Childminding Practice course and a variety of short courses to support the children's well being. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was given one recommendation in relation to permissions needed to travel in a car. Although the childminder included permissions for outings in the children's records this does not extend to the use of the car and therefore remains a risk to children's safety.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted received concerns in relation to National Standard 1: Suitability. These concerns were shared with another agency. Ofsted made enquiries and are satisfied the provider continues to meet the National Standards and remains qualified for registration.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • ensure written parental permission is in place for all children, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future • obtain written permission from parents for children to travel in the childminder's car

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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 • ensure there is a system in place for recording complaints made by parents.

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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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