YGG Cynwyd Sant

Inspection report for early years provision

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401056 Unique Reference Number 22 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 has been registered since 1992. She lives with her husband and adult daughter in a semi-detached house with an enclosed rear garden, close to the centre of Ripon. She is registered for six children and currently cares for two children on a part-time basis. She collects children from Holy Trinity School. The family has three pet rabbits.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder's attention to cleanliness is good; her home is clean and safe for children. She takes careful precautions to prevent the spread of infection, such as cleaning the toys and door handles with antibacterial cleaner. Furthermore, the children wash their hands at appropriate times, such as after nappy changing, before eating and after playing in the garden. Sickness policies, including an exclusion procedure for infectious illnesses, afford additional protection for the children's health. If the children were to suffer any minor injuries, the childminder is well prepared with her current first aid certificate and first aid kit.

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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 Children benefit from eating healthy snacks, including a variety of fruit, such as raisins, bananas and oranges. For lunch and tea, children bring packed meals, which are nutritious and commonly consist of sandwiches or pasta, chicken and freshly prepared vegetables. When children are thirsty, they stay refreshed as they help themselves to their beakers of water, which are easily accessible and constantly available on a low table in the lounge.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical development is nurtured by frequent walks and trips to the local parks, plus toddler groups, which the childminder incorporates in her weekly activities. Young children feel emotionally secure as they are given a lot of individual attention and cuddles. Their needs are further met by the childminder recognising when they are tired and allowing them sufficient time to rest.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The environment is warm and welcoming, with comfortable settees where the children can relax. There is good evidence of children's play and activities, with a train set beckoning the children on the rug in the middle of the floor. A whole range of resources is stored conveniently at the children's level so that they can independently select their toys. The childminder regularly rotates the toys to maintain the children's interest and provides age-appropriate equipment, such as booster seats, to foster the development of all the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Effective procedures ensure that children play in a safe and secure environment. These include, for example, keeping the front door locked, having the fire guarded and providing safety gates at the top and foot of the stairs so that children are able to move around safely and freely. Outdoors, the children play in the securely enclosed garden, where the gates are bolted. Children are kept safe on outings as the childminder reinforces road safety procedures. Children know, for example, to cross the road at the crossing; they hold on to the pushchair or hold the childminder's hand. The childminder ensures that younger children are safe with the use of reins. Children's safety is promoted in the event of a fire as the childminder has smoke alarms, a fire blanket and an extinguisher. She has a fire escape plan, although this is not practised with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected as the childminder has a good understanding of the procedures to follow in the event of a child protection concern arising. The childminder has a written policy, which includes the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and is shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled at the childminder's and choose from a wide range of toys and resources. They enjoy a good relationship with the childminder, who provides warm, sensitive care. For example, when the children are feeling tired, the childminder promotes quiet activities such as reading a story. The children select a favourite book and sit cosily on the childminder's lap. Children feel 'at home' as they chat with the childminder about their families and pet cat.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides a broad range of stimulating and fun activities for the children, both in and out of the home. For instance, they build with construction toys, help to clean the windows and enjoy games and puzzles. The children bring their wellies so that they are equipped for paddling in shallow water on their outdoor walks, when they go fishing with their nets, have picnics and develop physical skills on the playground equipment. The children enjoy a good

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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 range of activities which contribute to their imaginative and creative play. These include painting, drawing, making collages with pasta and leaves, plus glitter pictures, hand prints and a craft work bird house for their parent's birthday.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have plenty of opportunities for socialisation, as they regularly attend local toddler groups. Here they make bonds with their peers and learn to share and cooperate with children of a similar age. The childminder promotes the children's intellectual development through everyday activities. When the children go to the park, for instance, they count the steps and when they go to the local shops, the childminder asks them to remember one item that they need to buy, such as milk. The children gain in confidence and self-esteem as the childminder praises them for their achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities to promote a positive view of the wider world. For example, children learn about their local community as they visit the deer park and enjoy visits from 'people who help us', such as fire-fighters at toddler group. Children learn about similarities and differences through suitable resources, such as books and conversations with the childminder when they are out and about. Children show a positive sense of belonging to the setting and they are well settled as the childminder treats them as individuals, tailoring their care according to their particular needs. The childminder has a good understanding of the issues surrounding children with learning difficulties and disabilities through previous experience. She is committed to working with parents to ensure that she meets individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn responsible behaviour because consistent boundaries are set and good behaviour is rewarded. Methods used are age-appropriate and approved by the parents. The childminder acts as a positive role model, promoting the children's use of good manners and praising good behaviour. As a result, children are polite and well behaved. Good relationships develop with parents, who entrust the care of their children to the childminder over a number of years. At the outset, the childminder gathers as much information as possible to enable her to care for the children according to their own routines and parents' wishes. Parents are kept informed about their children's care through the effective use of two-way diaries for young children plus verbal feedback for all the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder, who is very well experienced, has completed the relevant childminder training and has a good knowledge of the National Standards. Looking to the future, the childminder is planning to attend training in the new Early Years Foundation Stage. In addition, she attends short courses to keep her knowledge updated and has recently renewed her first aid training, well in advance of its expiry date.

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Organisation

In being well organised, the childminder has devised a range of comprehensive policies and procedures, which contribute to the efficient and safe management of the service. Additionally, all required documentation is in place, such as the accident and medication records, which parents sign appropriately. The childminder organises her time well, managing a range of stimulating activities for younger children as well as accommodating the needs of older school-aged children. A balanced routine enables children to experience a good range of activities in the home and community.

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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 Children are protected as the childminder carefully supervises them at all times. In addition, the childminder is appropriately insured, prominently displays her certificate of registration and shares all her written policies 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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to make improvements to the recording of accidents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the provider ensures that all accidents are recorded.

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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): • practise the fire escape plan with the children regularly.

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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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