Yarm School

Inspection report for early years provision

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111769 Unique Reference Number 27 October 2006 Inspection date Jean Otter 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged one and four in a village close to Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house except for the kitchen is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is currently minding one child before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She takes children to the local library and to the local park.

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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 are cared for in a clean, warm home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care through the childminder's consistent daily routines. They know for example to flush the toilet after use and that it 'stops germs spreading' when they wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. Children can identify their personal towel by its colour, helping to minimise the spread of cross contamination. Children access toys and equipment which are clean and in a good state of repair. They stay healthy because the childminder follows current and appropriate guidelines, policies and procedures, for example accident and medication records are appropriately completed and shared with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. The childminder introduces healthy options, and shows patience and understanding when encouraging children to try different foods which initially they may not prefer. Children have some choices which fosters an interest in food. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents in providing meals and snacks and any special dietary needs are respected.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from fresh air and exercise. They regularly walk to the local school, play in the garden and visit the local park. A wide range of equipment is available to support their physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised in the well-organised setting which has good safety precautions in place, such as stair and safety gates. Security measures are effective, for example the front door is kept locked and when children are playing outdoors the entrance gates are always locked which means that children cannot leave the premises unsupervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use an extensive range of safe, good quality and developmentally appropriate toys and resources. These are stored in a walk-in store cupboard and are rotated to provide maximum interest. Children are welcome to ask for preferred toys and activities and after putting toys away tidily can request a change. Equipment and furniture is both practical and comfortable and kept to a high standard of cleanliness ensuring a welcoming environment for children. Children are well supervised by the childminder which further safeguards their welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of her responsibilities regarding child protection, ensuring that children remain safe. Procedures that relate to the Local Safeguarding Children Board are fully understood and a written child protection policy is in place that is shared with parents.

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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 very settled and enjoy their time in the setting. They are confident and approach the childminder for their needs which are met well. The childminder demonstrates excellent communication skills with children, in turn helping children to become skilful communicators themselves. She listens and talks to the children constantly, values what they say and do and develops their self-esteem by the positive use of meaningful praise and encouragement. Children are learning to negotiate together using a wide range of communication and to share their resources. The childminder supports the children well to use their own initiative and to develop skills. Particularly good are the opportunities to develop their early literacy and numerical skills because of the childminder's interest and ability to extend their learning in this area. Children have good opportunities to develop their imaginative play and are learning to contribute to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their environment because the childminder involves them in her domestic routine, for example helping to tidy away. Children benefit from a good range of social activities, they go to the local shops, to the library, for nature walks in the area and thoroughly enjoyed a trip to a safari park which also supports their understanding of the community and wider world. Children attending after school can relax or be active according to their needs and interests.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals and are fully included in the life of the setting. Children's understanding of the wider society is developed by the childminder's positive approach to diversity, which enables children to learn to respect the differences of others. The childminder has previous experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and is confident to judge how well individual children's needs can be met within existing routines.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Appropriate behaviour management methods are in place which support children in their understanding of what is right and wrong. Children understand the 'house rules' and are seen to be polite and respectful. The use of praise and encouragement, as children try to achieve different tasks, helps them to develop their self-worth. Behaviour is discussed with parents and the behaviour policy outlines the importance of a consistent approach.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership the childminder has developed with parents, for example the childminder spends time at each session sharing information with them about their child's well-being and how their needs are met during the day. Useful written information is available for new parents outlining policy and business procedures. Written contracts are used. Information given by parents at the beginning of the child's placement is respected to ensure the best possible care for the children. Written parental consent is obtained for all necessary activities.

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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 good. The organisation of the premises ensures children are well cared for and contributes positively to their good health, safety, enjoyment and achievement. Space and resources are organised well to effectively meet their individual needs. Children are supported appropriately to achieve their potential and the childminder works closely with their parents to enable this progress. Children have good levels of support as the childminder maintains the required child ratios.

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Organisation

Children's welfare is promoted effectively because the childminder has all the required documentation in place which contributes to their health, safety and well-being. For example, children's records, which include information from parents, support the children's individual needs and the daily register showing children's times of arrival and departure impacts positively on their safety. A range of policy procedures are shared with parents which mostly give a clear indication of good practice, however the 'lost child' policy does not fully safeguard children as there is no indication of when police would be called. Overall, the needs of the children attending the setting are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection a recommendation was made that the childminder should develop written policies and procedures to support the service being offered. The childminder has developed a range of policy procedures that give a clear indication of good practice and that are shared with parents. Included in the policies is a behaviour policy, child protection procedures, working with parents policy, uncollected and lost child policy and accident and emergency policy.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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):

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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 • develop the 'lost child' policy to improve outcomes for children in this event.

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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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