Ysgol Sant Baruc

Inspection report for early years provision

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401113 Unique Reference Number 06 February 2008 Inspection date Abigail Caroline Cunningham 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 was registered in 1994. She lives with her husband, who acts as an assistant, and two adult children in the village of Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house and one first floor bedroom are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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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 and is currently minding four children under five years, and two children over five years before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has a rabbit. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has obtained information regarding children's dietary needs. She works in partnership with parents to meet children’s individual requirements; for example, she provides

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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 vegetarian meals. The children receive a satisfactory range of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks, such as sausage rolls, toad in the hole, spaghetti bolognaise, vegetable stir fry and roast chicken dinner. Some of the produce that is used is grown in the childminder's garden, such as potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and green beans.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children have access to a good selection of outside toys, such as a sand pit, climbing frame, swing and slide. As a result, the children enjoy playing outside in the childminder's garden. They also have regular opportunities to go out on walks to and from school, toddler group and the park.

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Helping children to be healthy

A fully stocked first aid kit is sited in the kitchen and an accident and medication record book is in place. Both the parents and the childminder sign these documents; however, the childminder does not record existing injuries.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. The children are beginning to understand why they need to wash their hands after toileting, before eating and after handling pets. This is because the childminder has different methods for promoting personal hygiene; for example, each young child has an individual nappy changing mat, which is cleaned with antibacterial spray after each use. The childminder also holds a food hygiene certificate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children have independent access to a good range of age-appropriate toys, furniture and equipment to effectively meet their needs, such as a travel cot, cot and highchairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder takes positive steps to promote safety; for example, safety gates are in place and the children are kept within sight at all times. The children are not allowed top play in the kitchen, unless they are involved in a baking activity and are being directly supervised by the childminder. Fire safety is satisfactory. A fire escape plan is available and is regularly practised with the children. However, fire drills are not currently recorded. Potential fire hazards are identified and made safe; for example, smoke alarms are fitted at all levels and are in working order and a fire blanket is sited in the kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of child protection and is aware of her responsibilities towards the children in her care. She has attended child protection training and knows what the different types of abuse are, the possible signs and symptoms and the reporting procedure. The childminder also has local child protection contact details.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder and her assistant give the children lots of positive time, attention, praise and encouragement. As a result, the children have warm relationships with the childminder and her assistant and are keen to communicate with them, for example, while looking at books.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are involved in a good range of interesting and enjoyable activities both inside and outside the home, such as visiting the local library, other childminders and toddler group. Therefore, the children have good opportunities to socialise with other children. There are consistent daily routines for eating, resting, playing and going out, which help the children feel

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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 secure and enjoy their day. As a result, the children are very happy, settled and independent. They confidently assert own preferences; for example, they choose when they would like a drink and what activities they like to play with.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Parents have good opportunities to share what they know about their child through regular discussions with the childminder and a well-established settling-in procedure. During initial meetings, the childminder shows all the parents her written policies, for example, the complaint policy and child protection policy. Also, when the childminder updates any of her polices, she gives the parents a copy.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children develop a positive attitude to others and a good understanding about the wider world and community. This is because the children have access to a good selection of resources which reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability, such as books, play figures and dolls. The children are beginning to know about their own cultures and beliefs and those of other people. This is because they have many opportunities to celebrate different events, such as Diwali and Pancake Day.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder and her assistant work well together. They have created an orderly environment in which to care for the children. Each day is planned for in advance and all the childminder and her assistant are effectively deployed. As a result, the children are given good support and all the children are very happy and settled. The childminder is committed to developing her practice; for example, she is currently participating in a quality assurance scheme. The childminder has regular access to relevant training, for example, child protection and 'Birth to three matters' training. However, the childminder has not renewed her first aid certificate but she is booked on to attend training. 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

Since the last inspection, the childminder has increased the range of resources which promote positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. As a result, the children now have access to a good selection of resources that promote equality of opportunity, such as books, dolls and play figures. Emergency evacuation procedures are now practised with children, which has improved fire 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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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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): • provide evidence that fire drills have taken place • record any existing injuries • maintain a current first aid certificate.

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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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