Ysgol Llanstephan

Inspection report for early years provision

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400805 Unique Reference Number 24 January 2008 Inspection date Christine Anne Rice 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 1992 and lives in a semi-detached house on the outskirts of Harrogate. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. This comprises the lounge/dining area, toilet and playroom. Children have access to a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children and is presently caring for six children under eight years. Children attend on a full- and part-time basis. Local amenities include shops, a soft play centre and parks. The childminder attends local toddler and childminding groups. Pets include a cat. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds the CACHE level 3 in Childminding Practice.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder promotes good personal hygiene by acting as a positive role model. For example, she uses antibacterial cleaner to clean the nappy changing

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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 mat and reminds children to wash their hands at appropriate times, such as before snacks and after going to the toilet. The children dry their hands with individual towels, which are different colours for easy recognition. The childminder prevents cross-infection by implementing her sickness policy, which ensures that children with infectious illnesses are excluded from the provision for the relevant period. In addition, children are protected in the event of a minor injury as the childminder has recently renewed her first aid certificate, has a fully stocked first aid kit and has the back-up of a reference book for medical emergencies.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder promotes healthy eating most of the time as she prepares fresh meals, such as lasagne, for tea. Children are encouraged to eat vegetables, since the childminder incorporates grated carrot in the meat sauce. However, children eat biscuits for snacks and, although these are limited to a maximum of two, this practice is inconsistent with the otherwise positive promotion of healthy eating. The children stay refreshed and hydrated as they independently help themselves to their beakers of water, which are always available and readily accessible at the side of the room.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children gain plenty of fresh air and develop their physical skills as they play in the garden, sometimes walk to school and enjoy the playground equipment in the local park. There are good arrangements for rest and sleep as the childminder accommodates the individual needs of the children, as much as possible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe and warm environment, which is welcoming due to the children's pictures, foam letters and a long crocodile being displayed on the playroom walls. There is a comfortable settee, where the children may relax, and a good range of toys, which children independently select. The toys are in clearly labelled transparent plastic boxes, which assists the children in choosing resources. A good range of age-appropriate equipment, such as a double buggy and a booster step, meets the developmental needs of all the children attending.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a very good awareness of potential hazards and takes positive steps to promote safety. There are, for example, safety locks on the doors of cupboards that contain cleaning materials, safety gates between the kitchen and hall and the lounge and dining room, sharp knives are stored out of reach and all sockets are covered. Careful thought is given to any identified risks, both indoors and outdoors, as the childminder compiles comprehensive risk assessments. Children learn to contribute to their own safety through the regular practising of the fire escape plan, which is duly recorded. In addition, they learn how to keep themselves safe when they are out and about, as they practise road safety procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's well-being is protected as the childminder has experience plus a good understanding of child protection. If there are serious concerns, the childminder is aware of the procedures to follow and she makes parents aware of this process, by sharing her written policy with them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are settled in the kind and sensitive care of the childminder. They benefit from a good range of well organised activities, both indoors and outdoors, which cater for all ages and support their all-round development. Outdoors, for example, the children enjoy playing with

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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 large toys in the garden, going to local parks and collecting sand to make collages of Egyptian scenes. The children's creativity is fostered through the provision of a wide range of art and craft materials, which the children use to make pictures of snowmen. Writing skills are encouraged as the children write their own names on their pictures. A variety of books and singing activities promote the children's language and communication skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are good opportunities for the children to develop their imagination as there are dressing up clothes and role play toys, such as a kitchen. The children go food shopping with the childminder in order to buy the ingredients to bake biscuits. The childminder promotes the children's mathematical development through counting activities, since children confidently count up to 12 as they negotiate the footprints on the playroom floor. The children develop social skills as they regularly attend local toddler and playgroups, as well as visiting other childminders, where they interact with their peers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder interacts positively with the children, supporting them in their play and learning. When children are cutting out, for instance, the childminder helps them by showing them how to make different sized shapes. All the children have a folder, which contains examples of their work. The children personalise their folders by proudly adding new pictures and drawing a picture of their house.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder's practice, based on her written policy, is to treat each child as an individual, with an equal opportunity to learn and develop. Consequently, children feel valued and secure. They develop positive images of diversity through sharing books, playing with multicultural toys and discussing similarities and differences when they are out in the community. Having relevant experience, the childminder is receptive to the idea of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities, depending on the commitments she has to the children she already minds.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn appropriate boundaries and good behaviour through the childminder's consistent approach and child-friendly explanations as to why certain behaviour is not acceptable. The childminder has a behaviour management policy, which is shared with parents and demonstrates the focus on positive methods, such as encouraging self-discipline, setting a good example and rewarding good behaviour with stickers. As a result, children behave well and are polite, saying please and thank you at snack time. The childminder has constructive relationships with parents, who value her support in the care of their children. There is a good exchange of information at the outset, when the parents read the childminder's policies and the childminder seeks all relevant information about the care of the children. Subsequently, parents are kept informed through the use of two-way diaries and regular verbal feedback. The children's good

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Helping children make a positive contribution

care is promoted by the childminder obtaining all relevant parental permissions, such as to apply sun protection and to handle pets.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is appropriately qualified and experienced, having completed a level 3 qualification in childminding and having recently renewed her first aid training. Children benefit from the childminder's planned activities, which relate to themes such as the weather and

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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 different cultures. Already, the childminder is anticipating the introduction of the new Early Years Foundation Stage, by attending relevant training and preparing children's profiles.

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Organisation

In the interests of protecting the children, the childminder has set up appropriate recording systems, such as those for attendance, the recording of accidents and the administration of medication. Children are well supported as the childminder has a good working knowledge of the National Standards. Consequently, the required adult to child ratios are met and the childminder provides good levels of care and supervision.

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Organisation

The childminder is well organised and has relevant information, such as the certificate of registration prominently displayed on the wall for parents to see. The comprehensive policies and procedures, which she has written, contribute to the efficient and safe management of the childminding service.

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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, the childminder was asked to ensure that the children have access to water at all times and that clear parental consent is obtained prior to the administration of medication. In addition, the childminder was asked to improve the organisation of the space for the children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder has reorganised the playroom, which allows the children to relax and play more comfortably. In addition, she ensures that all the children have constant access to drinks and that all relevant parental consents are obtained. Consequently, the children stay refreshed and their health is better protected.

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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): • ensure that healthy eating is consistently promoted.

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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 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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