Ryedale School

Inspection report for early years provision

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148377 Unique Reference Number 19 December 2007 Inspection date Marie Thompson 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 1993. She lives with her husband and three children aged 11, seven and two years old in Lower Earley, Reading. The whole of the downstairs of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently four children on roll. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a clean environment where they learn to follow good hygiene practices. The childminder makes sure the areas the children use are clean by vacuuming regularly and routinely wiping the tables and surfaces throughout the day. The children are able to use the downstairs

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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 toilet which has a small sink that they can easily reach. They use a soap dispenser and they each have their own towels which are kept in a little red basket by the sink and are identifiable by the different coloured trim around the edge of them. The childminder has a nappy changing unit near the toilet and good routines are followed when she changes the children's nappies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy snacks and know that fruit is good for them. Children are well nourished and meals cater for individual tastes. The childminder has prepared a varied menu which includes ham rolls, macaroni cheese, strawberries, jacket potatoes, fruit and yoghurts. All the children sit at the kitchen table to eat and everyone is included because the childminder pulls the highchairs up to the table for the very young children to join in too. The children are encouraged to try different foods and to use good table manners. Children receive plenty of drinks, especially in warm weather, which prevents dehydration. The parents provide the babies bottles and formula and the childminder makes them up to the specified quantity and stores them in the fridge. She has sterilising equipment to ensure that the bottles are then ready for use again.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children are only administered medicine that has been authorised by parents. Through her experience as a mother she makes sure sick children are sensitively cared for and appropriate procedures followed which reassures and comforts children. All accident and medication records are available for use; however the childminder does not have a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular physical activities, which help keep them in good health. Outings to the park provide access to large play equipment, giving children plenty of opportunity to develop physical skills. They enjoy going for walks in the local area and feeding the ducks. In the garden the children enjoy playing in the play house which has a play cooker and riding on the trikes. They have great fun with the sand and water and running around getting fresh air. The children have lots of opportunities to develop their fine motor skills because the childminder has a good range of shape sorters, games and puzzles. In addition to this the children take part in art and craft activities and mould and squeeze the play dough.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder builds very strong relationships with the children making them feel secure. She is responsive to their individual needs, which allows them to learn and develop a variety of skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a well-organised environment, where the childminder identifies risks and minimises hazards. This allows them to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder gives priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and to maintaining children's safety inside and outside the home. She has a written fire evacuation procedure in place which has been practised with the children. There is a fire extinguisher fixed to the wall in the kitchen and the smoke alarms are tested regularly, however, the fire blanket is not fitted securely to the wall so that it can be easily accessed in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have easy and safe access to toys and resources that are stimulating and suitable for children's stage of development, which meet safety standards. Regular checks ensure there are no broken parts that could harm a child. Children benefit from well-supervised outdoor play. Clear procedures for outings ensure children's safety at all times. The children know that they need to make 'an aeroplane' by holding onto either sides of the buggy and holding hands. Children learn about road safety, when they are out walking, which allows them to learn some sense of danger and to gain knowledge about how to protect them from harm. The childminder

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 makes sure the children travel safely in the car by providing appropriate booster seats and checking the seat belts are secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues which safeguards and promotes children's welfare. The childminder is able to effectively and efficiently deal with all child protection concerns and there is documented evidence to support this.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled and happy in the environment where the childminder sensitively interacts with them by offering cuddles and talking to them. Children are confident and relate very well to the childminder and to other members of the family and enjoy the company within the environment. The children go to the toddler group at Lower Earley Centre Point and the Kilnsea Community Centre. This social interaction with other children helps to develop relationships with children of a similar age. Whilst they are at these groups they take part in different activities and have fun playing with the musical instruments. Children become independent as they choose between a variety of stimulating toys and resources within the dining room which serves as a playroom, which appeal to all. All the toys are stored in boxes that are easy for the children to reach and choose from.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children enjoy some nice activities which help their learning and development. Regular outings to local venues, such as the library, help to develop some understanding of the world around them. The children like making pizzas and fairy cakes with the childminder and in the summer they like playing in the paddling pool in the garden. Very young children have some nice toys which provide stimulation for their senses and co-ordination such as the textured activity horse and ladybird, the musical ball game and the dinosaur slide. The children have opportunities to enjoy craft activities, play dough, construction, wooden rocking horse and dolls house which aids their imagination, promotes physical skills and also leads to increased creativity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel respected as individuals and made to feel good about themselves because the childminder gives positive encouragement and comments. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of equal opportunities and diversity. The children learn about the world through some outings and some activities that introduce them to other cultures. Children have access to some resources that reflect positive images of diversity and their understanding of others. These include books, games, dolls and dressing up.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder meets the children's needs by following normal daily routines as discussed with parents, which helps the children feel secure. They have time to relax as well as be active, which develops the children's independent freedom of choice. Children learn important social skills such as sharing and listening to each other. Children benefit from praise, cuddles and reassurance. Good, calm and sensitive explanation helps children learn right from wrong and teaches self-discipline. The childminder is a calm and well-mannered role model in her interactions with the children and visitors, consequently the children behave well.

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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 The childminder shows an awareness of the information she would need to provide appropriate care to a child with learning difficulties or disabilities. She understands that close liaison with parents and outside agencies ensure that all the children's needs are well planned for and met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are friendly and the child's needs are discussed thoroughly before the child starts to ensure individual needs can be met. Daily communication ensures that both the childminder and the parent are well informed about the child.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are comfortable and at ease within the childminder's home. It is organised well so that children can easily reach and enjoy the toys available to them. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning whilst safely exploring their personal boundaries. The childminder uses her policies and procedures to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. She keeps up to date with current childcare issues through chatting to other minders at the drop-in groups and from browsing at the Ofsted website. The childminder is keen to increase her knowledge and develop her practice by enrolling on the early year's foundation stage training.

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Organisation

By working in partnership with the parents, the childminder ensures that she meets the children's individual needs. Discussions take place daily with the parents to exchange information and share achievements and concerns. The regular informal discussion with parents ensures continuity of care for the children. Children receive good adult support to help them feel secure and confident to develop and expand their learning through play. Most required documentation which safeguards the children is in place. Records are up to date, well maintained and stored securely. However, the childminder does not currently hold a first aid certificate which is a regulation, but has taken steps to address this in the near future. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children and to make sure children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. She was also asked to review and update documentation.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has increased the range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice and all documents and policies have been reviewed and updated. The childminder has been unable to complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children due to the unavailability of courses and family circumstances and commitments.

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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): • complete a first aid course which includes training for infants and young children • improve fire safety precautions

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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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