Harrogate, Grove Road Community Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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121395 Unique Reference Number 30 January 2008 Inspection date Catherine Hill 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 1994. She lives with her husband in Bagshot, Surrey. Parks and shops are in walking distance. Children have access to the ground floor of the home with sleeping and toileting facilities upstairs. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She is currently minding five children, four under five years and one over five years. Only one child under five years is cared for on a full time basis during the week. The family have four cats and a tortoise. The childminder is a member of both the National Childminding Association and local minding association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children develop healthy bodies as they are provided with a varied, balanced diet and good opportunities for regular exercise. They sit together for snack and enjoy a biscuit together with sliced banana and apple. The childminder works with parents to ensure children's dietary needs are met and children freely access their cup of drink when thirsty. Children are taken out weekly to gym sessions and children's groups where they have opportunities for soft play. At home

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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 the childminder has a range of outdoor resources to support their physical development, such as climbing frames and wheeled toys. Children keep healthy as they are well protected from illness and infection. The childminder maintains the home environment to a high standard of cleanliness and uses antibacterial spray to clean surfaces before preparing and serving food. Children develop an understanding of hygiene practice as they wash their hands before eating and after using the bathroom. The childminder has written policies to support her practice in promoting children's good health which are shared with parents. Children receive appropriate care if they have an accident as the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. She maintains records of medication administered and any accidents children may have, although some accident

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe and secure within the childminder's care. They settle quickly in the warm and welcoming home environment. The childminder has an extensive range of resources to support learning and children freely access age appropriate toys from the playroom. They are comfortable and relaxed as they actively explore their environment and play, for example, with toy motorbikes and dolls. The childminder regularly checks equipment for safety and has identified and minimised most hazards within the home. For example, the fire is guarded, a safety gate used to prohibit access to the stairs and fire safety measures are in place. Children are closely supervised during play and the childminder ensures hot drinks are not placed within their reach, although she has yet to make plastic bags inaccessible to children. Children's welfare is well safeguarded as the childminder understands her responsibilities with regard to safeguarding

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children. She has a written child protection policy and has attended child protection training.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are totally at ease and constantly active, exploring the different play opportunities on offer. They develop in independence as they self select toys to play with and further their own learning by asking the childminder questions about different toy figures they find. They are content and turn to the childminder readily for support or a hug showing that trusting relationships have been formed. They sing to themselves as they play with toy cars, have fun taking dolls and a toy motorbike for a walk around the home in toy buggies, and play with wind up musical toys. The childminder gets down to children's level to play with them. She listens to what they say and reflects back some comments to acknowledge she has heard them. Children are confident and sociable and enjoy the freedom to play together or alone according to their individual interests. The childminder has attended training regarding the Birth to three matters

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

framework and keeps a written record of children's progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are treated with equal concern by the childminder. They play very well together and show kindness and consideration for others. For example, older children ensure younger children are not forgotten by carrying their cup of drink to them. The childminder teaches children to share toys and uses distraction effectively when she notices disputes beginning to arise over particular resources. She has high, but realistic, expectations with regard to children's manners and behaviour. Children understand what is expected of them and demonstrate good

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 manners as they politely ask for their drink. They behave well and show a familiarity with daily routines, for example, as they put cups on the table when not in use. Good relationships are established with parents and testimonials on file are positive in their praise of the childminder's service stating that she provides a 'warm, nurturing environment' for children. The childminder shares her policies and procedures with parents, although the complaints procedure does not reflect information on complaints as outlined in the 2005 addendum to the National Standards.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder provides children with a relaxed, friendly home environment for their care and learning. She organises her time and resources effectively and children are very happy within her care. They have daily opportunities for play within the home and out locally visiting children's groups. A range of documentation is in place to support the childminder's practice although some lacks a little detail, for example, children's full names have not been entered on daily attendance records. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has addressed both recommendations made which related to fire safety and resources. She has now securely installed a fire blanket in her kitchen and increased her resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice to include a range of books and play figures.

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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. 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): • improve safety within the home by ensuring plastic bags are inaccessible to children • improve detail in documentation by recording children's full names on attendance records, the circumstances of accidents and by updating the written complaints policy to reflect the 2005 addendum to the National Standards.

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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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