Albion Square C.P. Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 400675 Inspection date 16 May 2005 Inspector Linda Cook

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1998. She lives with her husband and four children, two girls aged 16 and 14 years, two boys aged 13 and 9 years. They live in a three bedroomed dormer bungalow in the market town of Malton. She is registered to care for six children under 8 years and is currently caring for eight children under 8 and three over 8 years, part time. Her husband is registered to assist her. The local school is Malton Community School and there is a pre- school playgroup in the area from where the childminder takes and collects children.

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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 The lounge, two downstairs bedrooms and the bathroom are used for childminding and there is an enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The family have two dogs who have their own run outside.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children benefit from the clean and homely environment. They learn about healthy practices and are encouraged to adopt good hygiene routines, washing hands after attending to personal needs, playing with the dogs and before eating. The children walk to and from school and playgroup each day. Regular visits to the local play park further develop their physical skills as they make use of the good range of play apparatus and enjoy regular exercise. Children enjoy a range of varied meals and snacks which are healthy and nutritious. The childminder ensures she is aware of and caters for any specific dietary needs the children may have; this contributes to the children's understanding of healthy eating and their overall well being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move freely and safely in the well organised environment. They access and develop independence as they select from the range of resources which are made available to them. All resources are clean, safe, well maintained and age appropriate. Their safety is ensured by the good supervision provided by the childminder and her sound understanding of safety issues. Children learn how to keep themselves safe, the childminder teaches them using cause and effect and ensures they learn how to cross roads safely when they walk to and from school each day. Children are made aware of the emergency evacuation procedure, helping to ensure their safety in an emergency. Children are protected by the childminder's good knowledge of child protection procedures and her awareness of the different forms of abuse.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well, are relaxed and confident in their surroundings and enjoy the daily routines. They have regular opportunities to mix with their peers at the various groups they attend. All children spend their time purposefully and enjoy a wide range of stimulating activities helping them to extend their knowledge and understanding.

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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 The children use their imagination well and make good use of non specific play materials. At the visit the two children present made very good use of two cardboard boxes and talked about driving cars, ambulances and fire engines. The childminder effectively supports their learning by joining in their play and extending the children's thinking and language skills through her positive interaction. Children develop their independence as they select from a wide range of toys and resources which are made available to them for self selection. Toys and resources are age appropriate and cover all areas of learning, providing children with stimulation and challenge and enabling them to build on what they already know and can do.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about cultural diversity through the positive images provided in books and resources, they celebrate festivals from other cultures as part of the planned activities. They celebrated the Chinese New Year and made dragons. The children's individual needs are met well. The childminder maintains an ongoing dialogue with parents to ensure she is aware of each child's likes, dislikes and preferences and that the children benefit from continuity of care. Parents are kept well informed of their child's achievements, verbal information is exchanged daily at delivery and collection. Children with special needs are welcomed . Their needs are recognised and met through the close liaison with parents and the childminder's willingness to attend relevant training. Children are settled and relaxed in the childminder's company, they learn to play co-operatively together, to share and take turns and to show respect for others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved, respond well to the childminder's clear guidance and praise and willingly help to tidy up.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminders positive approach to her professional development ensures children and parents benefit from an ever improving service. She attends regular short courses and her future plans include pursuing a recognised childcare qualification to further extend her childcare knowledge and further improve the quality of care provided. Children are at ease in the well organised environment and are confident to initiate their own learning and play. Their welfare is further promoted through the clear policies, procedures and systems for record keeping which are in place and regularly

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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 reviewed. All documentation is well organised and stored appropriately to maintain confidentiality. Overall the provision meets the needs of all the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has extended her range of multi cultural resources and obtained the written consent of parents for children to be taken on outings.

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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): • implement own development plan to further increase knowledge of child development; for example by completing an early years qualification and/or attending birth to three training.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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