Aber Infants School

Inspection report for early years provision

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401025 Unique Reference Number 11 October 2007 Inspection date Carol-Anne Shaw 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 1981. She lives in a terraced house with her husband, it is situated within walking distance of the Falsegrave area in Scarborough. The back playroom, kitchen and toilet on the ground floor and the small bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is an enclosed back yard available for outside play, she has shared use with another childminder of a beach chalet.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has two cats as family pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently minding eight children, one of these is over eight years old, they attend for a mix of full days and part time sessions.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local Scarborough childminding group. Local parent and toddler groups are visited.

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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 well protected from the risk of infection through the high standard of cleanliness within the childminding home and the childminder's clear procedures regarding children who are unwell. Children begin to learn the importance of personal hygiene, supported effectively through the daily routines, such as washing hands before meals and after playing outside. There are good systems in place to deal with accidents and emergencies. The childminder effectively promotes a healthy lifestyle, children have regular fresh air, eat nutritious meals and enjoy regular physical exercise.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. The daily routines are organised so that children have regular breaks for drinks, meals and snacks. The childminder provides a variety of nutritious, fresh, home cooked meals that include a variety of fruits and vegetables. Children enjoy sociable mealtimes and eat with evident enjoyment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop a positive attitude to physical exercise. Children engage is physical activities through daily play. The children have many opportunities to practise their climbing, balancing and coordination skills as they access a wide variety of equipment including sit and rides, a climbing frame and a slide. Children have many opportunities for robust physical play when visiting the park and beach.

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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 warm and very well maintained environment. Children use good quality toys and equipment that are appropriate to their age and stage of development. The childminder checks these regularly in order to ensure that they are maintained in a good, clean condition so that they do not pose a risk to children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe in secure premises. The childminder has a very good awareness of safety issues and supervises the children closely. She has identified and reduced potential hazards in the home, for example, the effective use of safety equipment, limiting the risk of accidental injury. Children are well cared for in the event of an emergency as the childminder has well-considered plans and procedures in place. She has an emergency plan which details alternative care and emergency contact numbers. Children learn about fire safety procedures and older children practise and discuss the emergency evacuation procedures with the childminder. Children learn to keep themselves safe when outside of the home through discussion, for example, about stranger danger with older children and water safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected by the childminder, who has a very good understanding of her responsibilities regarding child protection. She has a written procedure in place which is shared with parents, she attends training to update her knowledge. The good attention to children’s welfare means that children are kept safe in her care.

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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 settled and happy in the childminder's welcoming home. She has close caring relationships with the children who happily engage with her during play and confidently express their needs and wishes. The childminder has a good understanding of children’s individual needs and plans daily activities around these, which ensures that children eat and rest in line with their home routines.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are beginning to develop their independence as they select their play materials. The childminder supports this further through daily routines, such as encouraging young children to feed themselves and wash their own hands after playing outside. Children confidently move around and explore, and are developing their self-esteem due to the ongoing praise and encouragement for their cooperation and achievements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children access a broad and varied range of experiences, the childminder has a good selection of toys and resources and organises regular trips outside of the home, both to local resources and those further away. She has a sound understanding of how children learn through play and through real experiences, and she seizes opportunities as they arise. The childminder offers very good levels of support, interacting with the children at all times. Regular visits to groups introduce children to larger group situations and support their developing social skills. The beach is used effectively in the holidays to support children’s development and enjoyment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder has established effective daily systems to share information with parents. This means that she is aware of children's routines and is therefore, able to cater for their individual needs effectively. The childminder provides a good range of written information for parents keeping them informed of her practices and promoting consistency and continuity for the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning about the local community through their attendance at local groups and the childminding support group, along with their daily outings and visits to the park and places of interest. They also learn about the wider world as the childminder provides activities and resources that promote positive images of differences within society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s behaviour is very good. They know what is expected of them due to clear and consistent boundaries that have been established and explained. The childminder is calm and positive with the children, encouraging good behaviour through praise and guidance. She creates a friendly, family atmosphere where children are relaxed and enjoy their time.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are very happy and confident in the care of the childminder. They benefit from her good use of time and space, which allows them to play, eat and rest in comfort. Children develop their independence through being able to choose toys and resources themselves and freely move around whilst they explore them. The childminder plans the daily routines effectively to ensure that children spend time indoors and outdoors, and that children are also involved in a range of activities outside of the home that support their interests and development.

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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 The childminder continues to keep updated with current childcare issues. She is aware she will need training for the new ‘Early Years Foundation Stage’ to meet the coming changes in law. She uses the knowledge she gains from attending regular training to support her work. Children benefit from her good record keeping, documentation and written policies for parents about her service. This helps establish a close working relationship with parents and contributes to the continuity of children’s care.

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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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection there was one recommendation relating to documentation for recording medication.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has purchased a book from the National Childminding Association to record any medication given to children. This system is now fully used to ensure the recording of medication meets the requirements of registration.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder promotes a safe environment for children, ensuring children's safety.

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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.

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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): • continue to keep knowledge and understanding of current childcare issues updated, for example, the 'Early Years Foundation Stage' and how it relates to childminders.

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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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