Ryles Park High School

Inspection report for early years provision

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111403 Unique Reference Number 13 April 2007 Inspection date Amanda May 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 has been registered since 1988. She lives in a semi detached house in a quiet residential road in Yateley with her husband and 16 year old son. Registration includes overnight care, and there are currently eight children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The home is situated within walking distance of the town centre and close to the schools, pre-schools and local parks. Mainly downstairs is used for minding and children have free access to the dining area, kitchen and playroom and supervised access to the lounge. Upstairs is used for sleeping only. Downstairs toilet and hand wash facilities are available. The garden is fully enclosed for outside play. Younger children are supervised in the garden at all times.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have a number of pets including a dog, cat and fish, minded children have supervised access to these. The childminder is a member of the National Child Minding 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 learn about good health through ready access to drinks and snacks which take account of known allergies. Children can access their own drinks independently at any time, and the childminder provides water, milk and occasionally squash throughout the day. Children enjoy snacks of fruit and biscuits or rice cakes and bring packed lunches in from home. The childminder has a healthy eating policy which she shares with parents. This includes the childminder's requests for children's lunches to contain healthy food choices, in order to educate children about the importance of a balanced diet.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder manages accidents and medication well and shares records with parents immediately. A first aid kit is taken on outings, trips out in the car, as well as being stored accessibly in the kitchen. Routines from home such as sleep and potty training are incorporated into the childminder's day in order to ensure consistency of care. Babies are monitored whilst they sleep every 30 minutes, however a baby monitor is not currently in place to ensure children's safety is protected at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a good range of physical activities that include use of a large garden. Children enjoy playing in the sand pit, and play-house as well as enjoying physical exercise on bikes, trikes and scooters. Children also enjoy playing with hoops, bats and balls during outdoor play, encouraging their development of gross and fine motor skills.

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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 setting which is very welcoming, secure and safe, both inside and out. Children learn how to be safe through effective rules devised by the children. Children know what behaviour is acceptable, and explain to any other children visiting how to behave. As the childminder co-minds with her daughter, there are a number of children of different ages attending the setting. This allows children of all ages to socialise well, and older children visibly enjoy helping the younger children during the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children know to keep together when they are out on trips. They all hold hands as they cross the road to keep themselves and each other safe. Through good explanation by the childminder, children know what to do if they get separated from the group during a trip or an outing. A fire evacuation procedure is in place, and the childminder is confident of what she would do in an emergency. The childminder discusses what the children should do if there was a fire, however drills are not regularly practised in order for all children to be involved in understanding the escape procedure. Children are protected through the childminder's understanding of safeguarding children. The childminder is currently booked on to an advanced course on issues surrounding child protection, and is confident of the action she would need to take if she had concerns about a child's well-being.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children experience a varied range of activities which contribute very well to their development inside and outside the home. Children decorate wooden egg cups as part of a craft activity,

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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 and choose to wrap them up as gifts in coloured tissue paper. Children of all ages enjoy the activities on offer, and these are adapted effectively by the childminder to ensure babies can also participate. There are many resources on offer to children, which are age and stage appropriate. Children independently self-select their activities, and play very well together. The childminder encourages free-flow play where children can independently access the garden, dining area and playroom. This ensures children gain both confidence and independence in their play and development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's self esteem is consistently encouraged and increased through children's work and photographs being displayed in the playroom. Children's hand and footprints are stuck on the wall, along with photographs of children junk modelling. Children are eager to show their parents their work at the end of the day, and show pride in their achievements. Children enjoy outdoor activities and trips to local toddler groups and libraries. They enjoy Easter egg hunts in the garden, and the older children help the little ones find their eggs. Relationships within the setting are strong as children appreciate each other and their abilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder develops good relationships with parents to ensure children's individual needs are met. Children benefit from settling in visits to ensure they feel welcome and secure when they first start at the setting. All relevant documentation is shared with parents and policies and procedures are all given to parents for their reference. The childminder ensures parents are kept informed about their child's day through thorough feedback at the end of each session. A journal is used to record details for babies' parents in order to ensure all relevant information is passed on such as sleep times, meals and nappy changes. Parents are involved and included within the setting, and are invited to summer BBQs with bouncy castles for the children. As a result, parents feel welcome and very happy with the care provided.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop an awareness of social diversity as they play with resources which celebrate difference. Children play with a train track and bus which include characters in Indian costume, and in wheelchairs. Children also have access to a wide range of books which include people from different cultures and communities. No children with learning difficulties or disabilities currently attend the setting, however the childminder is aware that some children develop special needs, and knows to support these by sharing information with parents and by providing suitable activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children at the setting are very well-behaved. The childminder uses suitable and relevant methods to encourage children to share resources, such as using a timer so children know when their time is up and that it is another child's turn. Lots of praise and encouragement is used throughout the day from the childminder. This ensures children feel valued and supported. Through a large range of activities being readily available for children to self select, children are continuously stimulated in their play. As a result, children are happy and content.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children enjoy their time at the setting thoroughly, as a result of good organisation. Space and time is used effectively, and children benefit from being able to move around activities whenever they choose. Children enjoy having free access to the large garden, which allows them to fully be independent in how and where they wish to spend their time. The childminder has an assistant

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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 who is occasionally left in charge of the children for short periods. Children greet the assistant excitedly when she arrives, and bring her a beaded necklace to wear. A computerised registration system is used, however this is not always fully completed as soon as a child arrives or leaves the setting.

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Organisation

Children benefit from a range of activities which are well planned. The childminder plans activities in advance, and links the activities to children's learning goals. However, children's abilities are not currently observed to gain a full awareness of their stages of learning and development. As a result, future planning does not specify children's individual needs concerning their next steps of learning.

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Organisation

The childminder accesses regular and relevant training courses in order to update her knowledge and improve her level of service to parents and the children in her care. The childminder has good policies and procedures which work in practice to promote children's welfare. As a result, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last Children Act inspection, the provider was recommended to enhance resources to reflect diversity and make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint.

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Improvements since the last inspection

These improvements are now in place. A full complaints policy has been devised which is consistently shared with parents. The policy includes details of what action parents should take if they wish to discuss or query the service. Children also now benefit from a wide range of toys and resources which reflect diversity. Children enjoy looking at story books and playing with train sets which include characters from different backgrounds and ethnicities. This ensures children begin to develop an understanding about differences within society, whilst having fun.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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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):

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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 • practise, record and evaluate fire drills to ensure children gain an understanding of what they should do in an emergency, • improve methods used for registering children to ensure that the times children arrive and leave the setting are completed accurately and immediately, • ensure the baby sleep monitor is in full working order to ensure children's safety is monitored and protected at all times, • ensure activities planned for children are observed in order to gain a better awareness of children's abilities, allowing their struggles to be fully supported within future planning.

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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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