Maes-Y-Coed Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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401177 Unique Reference Number 12 April 2007 Inspection date Shirley Maynard 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 has been registered since 2000. She lives with her husband and two children, one aged eight years, and one who is an adult. They live in a detached bungalow in the village of Killinghall. The childminder lives within walking distance of the local school, playgroup and shop. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with the exception of one bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has two rabbits, a cat, dog and a bird of prey.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is currently minding seven children on a part time basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and an active member of Harrogate and district childminding association. The childminder regularly attends the local carer and toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of appropriate hygiene practices and the need to ensure children wash their hands before and after meals and after using the

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 bathroom. Children's good health is promoted by the use of antibacterial soap. However, the children use a communal towel in the bathroom and this increases the opportunity for germs and minor infections to spread to other children, for instance, from coughs and colds. Arrangement for the recording of accidents and medication meets with the requirements of the National Standards and protects children appropriately. All details are shared with parents and signed by them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are nourished satisfactorily as they are provided with a mostly healthy diet as the childminder encourages them to eat fresh fruit and vegetables. The children thoroughly enjoy a snack of banana and dried mango. Children access drinks of juice and water which are freely available and therefore, they can monitor their own need for a drink.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children develop their physical skills as they run, jump, skip and walk in the enclosed rear garden. The childminder organises frequent visit to the local park for the children to benefit from fresh air and energetic play. Children also enjoy a range of outings. For example, they have been to Harewood House and Rounday Park in Leeds to play on the large climbing equipment and so develop their gross motor skills. The childminder also ensures children are able to rest and relax, according to their individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are kept generally safe as some of the required safety features are in place. For instance, smoke detectors, safety barriers and socket covers. However, the childminder does not practise the emergency evacuation procedure with the children. This could result in delays in leaving the premises in an emergency as the children are not familiar with what they should do.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder provides a suitable range of toys and resources which are suitable and appropriate for the ages and stages of development of the children attending. Children's independence is encouraged as they make choices from the resources which include, building bricks, role play equipment and creative materials. Outside, the children have access to a selection of wheeled toys, a small slide and trampoline. However, the childminder has not yet undertaken a risk assessment of this and so has not minimised any hazards it may pose to children's safety. Furthermore, the glass in the summer house does not have a safety kite mark on and therefore, children's safety is compromised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of her role in child protection and is very confident of the action to take based on national and local guidance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy and achieve because the childminder provides a good variety of play opportunities that cover all areas of development including, baking, painting, books, games and going for walks. The children play in the dedicated playroom choosing toys which are easily accessible to them. For example, they choose role play equipment and play together harmoniously. They are learning as they negotiate who is mummy and then pretend to put their babies in bed. The childminder is on hand to offer assistance, talking about what they are doing. The children benefit from close and caring relationships with the childminder which develop their self-esteem and sense of belonging.

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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 Children's individual needs are met because the childminder observes the children and links this to the 'Birth to three matters' framework and the Foundation Stage programmes of childcare and education. The childminder structures the activities around the days of the week as she attends set groups on certain days. She discussed the art and craft work she provides for the children to enjoy including cutting, gluing, painting and making sticky pictures. These are then put into a scrapbook which is given to parents when they leave. Children have regular opportunities to develop their social skills from visits to the local toddler group which also allows them to experience new environments.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from the childminder's sound understanding of equality of opportunity. She ensures all children can take part in all the activities provided. She demonstrates an sound understanding of learning difficulties and disabilities and is aware of the action to take to enable appropriate assistance to be sought to meet children's individual needs. Children have regular access to resources which develop their understanding of difference. A selection of books and puzzles and play people positively reflect images of different cultures and disability. Recently, the children's understanding has been extended as they celebrated Chinese New Year and Easter.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are beginning to take responsibility for their behaviour because the childminder works with parents to ensure a consistent approach is followed. She discusses her boundaries and guidelines, for example, not touching the television, respecting the furniture and toys and if needed, using time out. Consequently, the children are secure and understand the expectations placed upon them which results in them behaving appropriately.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder fosters good relationships with parents by sharing information which contributes significantly to the children's well-being. The polices and procedures are shared, and the opportunity for parents to discuss their child is available. Parents are reported to be extremely pleased when they receive a scrapbook containing photographs and examples of the artwork their children have completed at the childminder's.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from being cared for in an environment and practice that is effectively organised to meet their needs in a satisfactory way. They feel at home in the setting readily choosing from the toys and equipment and asking for new activities including colouring and music making toys. They enjoy a well organised daily routine in which their social needs are fostered by attendances at the local toddler group and childminder support group outings.

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Organisation

The children's care and learning is enhanced by the childminder's commitment to take part in further training to increase her knowledge and skills, for example the 'Birth to three matters' framework. Children's needs are met because the childminder has all regulatory documentation in place, which is well maintained and shared regularly with parents.

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Organisation

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

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain permission from parents for her to seek emergency medical treatment or advice for individual children. The childminder has a comprehensive list of relevant permission from all parents including one giving her the authority to seek emergency medical treatment or advice. The above action ensures children's welfare is well protected and parents are fully informed of the care their child receives while at the childminder's.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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.

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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 that reasonable steps are taken to minimise hazards when children are using the trampoline • develop an emergency evacuation procedure and ensure this is regularly practised with minded children • ensure that the summer house in the rear garden does not pose any risk to children's safety and all accessible glass is made safe.

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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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