Pudsey Grammar School

Inspection report for early years provision

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108079 Unique Reference Number 21 January 2008 Inspection date Christine Coram 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 1980. She lives with her husband in Maidenhead, Berkshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house and two bedrooms on the first floor, are used for childminding. 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 two children overnight. She is currently minding three children under five during the day, and three children over five after school. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler and childminder groups and supports children with learning difficulties and/ or disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has a parrot. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a qualification in childcare and education.

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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' health is promoted well. They are protected if medication needs to be administered because medical consents and records are clear and completed in detail. Children who have an accident receive appropriate treatment because the childminder has a current first aid qualification. Children benefit from very good hygiene so that their health is promoted effectively. For example, children wash their hands and use anti-bacterial gel to reduce cross-infection, and the childminder is vigilant in ensuring that this is done frequently. The nappy changing routine is also particularly efficient in maintaining hygiene and includes the use of disposable gloves and anti-bacterial spray after each change. A clear written policy about sick children ensures that the spread of infection is minimised.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's nutritional health is carefully supported by the childminder. The childminder has a clear understanding of healthy eating and food provided by their parents is stored safely. Children benefit from nutritious snacks and their understanding of nutrition is promoted through discussions about food during play. Cooking is included frequently as an activity and children greatly enjoy this additional opportunity to learn about diet.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises are used well to promote children's activities. However, not all the areas are clear, and stored items create a potential hazard. Other than this, the premises are in good condition and provide plenty of space for the children to play. Children's safety is promoted through the toys and equipment that are in good condition and regularly checked and cleaned.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Safety is also promoted through effective procedures and arrangements, such as regular checking of the smoke detectors and an annual gas safety check. Other precautions are in place, such as the addition of corner covers on the coffee table and the use of safety gates to restrict the children's access to the kitchen and stairs. Sleeping children are kept safe through regular monitoring. Children are also protected because the childminder has up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding issues and procedures and is confident to follow these if she believes that a child is at risk.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive and benefit greatly from the range of activities and outings provided by the childminder. The planned activities are very adaptable to meet the needs of the children and include an extensive range that helps to develop children's skills and learning, play and enjoyment. They include cooking and using a digital camera to save images on the computer.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's progress is noted through careful observation that makes sure that any areas of strength or for development are identified. Their progress is recorded under the six areas of learning identified in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The provision comprehensively meets the needs of all children and enables them to progress and flourish. For example, the childminder continues the learning from nursery with pre-school children, supporting them in early writing skills.

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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 are creatively involved and extremely motivated by the activities and resources. They are thoroughly interested in their activities and become totally absorbed in the bread-making, for example. Young children attempt to communicate throughout the day with enthusiastic gestures, sounds and facial expressions. They delight in the response and are encouraged to continue to communicate

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are inspired by, and hugely benefit from the childminder's input. She is competent and innovative as she successfully supports the children in their activities. She asks challenging questions that encourage children to think and to solve problems for themselves. Every activity in play and in the practical routine of eating and toileting become educational through her interaction and natural ability to create learning opportunities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Excellent support is given to the individual child and they are valued and encouraged. The childminder is very clear about their individual personalities and abilities. They benefit from the childminder's commitment to equality and learn about the society in which the live, through the resources and special celebrations, such as Chinese New Year. Children with specific requirements are supported very well. They flourish through the commitment and experience of the childminder who is knowledge and has a supremely positive attitude. The childminder celebrates the positive experience of inclusion.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave exceedingly well and respond eagerly to the childminder at all times. The boundaries are clear to the children are reinforced through conversations and reminders. Methods are in place should behaviour need further management. The children's excellent behaviour is valued and encouraged through the frequent and highly enthusiastic praise given by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Comprehensive information is given to the parents about their child's day and the childminding service. The childminder seeks and adhered to the wishes of parents. Communication between the parents and carers, and the childminder is a high priority and takes place in a variety of ways, including home diaries. Written policies are in place to make the expectations clear and where consents are needed for transporting children, taking their photographs and for outings, for example, both parents sign where possible to ensure that the wishes of all carers are taken into account.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children benefit from her commitment to training and to extending her childcare knowledge through short courses and workshops. Good use is made of the space in the home and children can access different areas to hang their coats, play at the table or have an imaginary picnic on a rug on the floor. However, some areas contain stored items that are a potential hazard to children.

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Organisation

Resources are easily to hand. For example, if the childminder is not able to use the dough she had prepared in advance, she is able to find immediately the ingredients needed, and support the children as they make more. The ratios are met, meaning that children have plenty of support. Their attendance is clearly recorded and all other documentation is in place. Records

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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 are well organised and stored so that the necessary information can easily be accessed by the childminder but not by others.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection, the childminder was asked to promote independent selection of resources, and improve her documentation by keeping accurate records of attendance, children's details, and written parental consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children are now able to access a range of toys and resources from open shelving and crates on the floor in the living room. This enables them to select and return items as they use them. The required documentation is now in place and completed in detail. For example, the record of attendance contains the precise time that children arrive and depart. This means that accurate information is available at all times and that children are cared for according to their parent's wishes.

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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): • make sure that areas used by children are clear so that stored items do not constitute a hazard

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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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