Blaengwawr Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

401146 Unique Reference Number 21 September 2007 Inspection date Elizabeth Patricia Edmond Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1994. She lives with her three children aged five, 11 and 13 years old. They live in a semi-detached house in a cul-de-sac in a northern suburb of Scarborough.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder uses only the ground floor of the property for childminding. There is a rear enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is close to a range of facilities and takes children to and from various local nurseries and primary schools on foot or by public transport. There are currently seven children under eight years on roll who attend, mostly part-time. Some older children are also cared for.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the local childminder support group.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a warm, clean environment where children learn to manage their own personal hygiene very well. They also understand how to maintain good hygiene for the other children. For example, children remove their shoes as they arrive without being reminded, because they know this keeps the carpet clean for babies who are beginning to crawl. Children also help each other to turn on the taps or to squeeze out the hand soap.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children learn to enjoy a healthy life style due to the very good opportunities for physical play in the garden and their daily walk to and from school. Children have great fun on the trampoline or slide; importantly, they know that they have to have sun cream on before they go out in the summer.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder does not often provide cooked meals but works hard with parents to makes sure that any individual requirements are met. Children enjoy a healthy snack and drink after they have walked home from school and they learn about having less healthy snacks, such as doughnuts, for treats only.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play freely because the childminder identifies and minimise risks in relation to the ages of the children attending. Importantly, children learn the necessary skills to keep themselves and each other safe. Older children are confident in the rules for walking to and from school and they know how many children can go on the trampoline together. The childminder is proud that their good behaviour also helps to keep the children safe.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a good range of play equipment, indoors and out, which is in a good, safe condition. Children confidently use the childminder's good quality furniture for their rest and play. The current organisation of the resources in the playroom makes it difficult for older children to choose what they would like to do. It does, however, mean that the baby does not accidentally have access to smaller pieces; importantly, older children learn why the baby cannot have small pieces and they help the childminder to make sure that small items are kept out of the baby's reach. The children are protected and their welfare safeguarded because the childminder keeps all child protection guidance on hand and makes sure that she keeps her related training up to date.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and relaxed in the childminder's care and they settle very well. The babies snuggle in for a cuddle as they share a picture book and they gurgle happily as they have their nappies changed. Older children recall how they used to bring their favourite teddy with them when they were very little, but do not need to now they are bigger.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop good communication skills. The babies watch the childminder's face with great interest as she chats to them and they try to copy the sounds as she encourages them to say 'mummy'. She is proactive in engaging the older children in conversation about their

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 play or what they like to do. Children also develop their mathematical understanding because she helps them to count their bricks and they enjoy the warm praise they receive for helping the younger children with this. Children have great fun at the regular baking activities. They recall happily how they made cakes for family members as well as items for their own snack. Importantly, the childminder is very aware of the learning involved in these activities as children learn to follow the recipe books and weigh the ingredients.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children happily help themselves to the resources which have been presented by the childminder and they use them as they wish; importantly, they boldly and confidently ask for particular activities when they are not immediately available. For example, children have great fun with the karaoke machine and confidently make themselves a pretend home behind the furniture. They also boldly ask to have the computer on when they have finished their pretend play.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder understands how babies learn by exploring their surroundings and investigating using their senses. They wave their hands excitedly as the childminder interests them in the colourful picture books and they concentrate for some time as they investigate the sounds, colours and textures of the shiny paper. However, the range of household items and natural materials for babies to access is quite limited.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder gets to know the children very well. She is confident about their individual care routines and their likes and dislikes and she respects their developing personalities. Consequently, the children feel truly valued as individuals. This, along with the effective use of praise and encouragement to maintain children's self-esteem, means that children are relaxed happy and behave very well. They are proud of the warm praise they receive for helping each other and for their counting skills. The childminder has also attended some training in relation to meeting children's individual needs.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop very effective three-way relationships with the childminder and their parents; they are relaxed and happy as the adults chat about their care and they happily wave goodbye to their parents. All necessary written information for parents is in place and the babies' daily diary gives parents a clear insight into how their children spend their time and how they are developing. Parents who take part in the inspection process are very pleased with the care provided. They are particularly happy with how their children have settled with the childminder.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is well organised in her routines for getting the children to and from school in a safe and orderly manner. The layout of the childminder's home is very practical for childminding. The children easily attend to their personal hygiene needs and can access the enclosed, rear garden freely because it is directly adjacent to the playroom and the kitchen. The childminder can see and hear the children wherever they choose play. Useful links with another childminder provide the children with additional social contact and play opportunities. This also promotes a good sense of continuity for children and parents because they develop positive relationships with the other adults who might care for them in the case of an emergency or when their childminder is on holiday.

p.4

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 has a basic understanding of the types of documentation needed and most of it is in reasonable order. For example, records of accidents and medication are clear and appropriately signed by parents. Contact details for the children are kept handy should parents need to be contacted. However, the records of children's hours of attendance are not very clear. In addition, although the childminder has a positive approach to addressing issues raised by parents, she is not fully aware of the formalised system needed for logging complaints made in writing. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to professional development; in addition to the required training, the childminder continues to attend extra training when she can on such matters as child protection and meeting children's individual needs. Overall,

p.4

Organisation

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

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection two recommendations were raised. The childminder was asked to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. The childminder has some resources showing positive images of cultural diversity, such as books and play people. She also sometimes plans activities on themes, such as the Chinese New Year. Children particularly enjoy these cooking activities related to the topic, such as making noodles or pizza for their snack.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to provide parents with procedures to follow if they have a complaint. The childminder still does not have a written complaints procedure but does have Ofsted's poster and up to date contact details prominently displayed for parents should they wish to comment on the standards of care provided.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • further formalise systems for logging any complaints as explained in the Addendum to the National Standards, October 2005 • ensure that the calendar shows clear details of all children's actual hours of attendance

p.5

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 • provide the youngest children with a range of natural materials and household items to further engage their interest.

p.5

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

p.6

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

p.6