Penrhiwceibr Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 401210 Inspection date 11 October 2005 Inspector Elizabeth Blenkhorn

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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 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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1995. She lives with her husband and three children aged 19, 18 and 13 years in a house in a village on the outskirts of Northallerton. The house is situated within easy reach of local amenities such as schools, shops and parks. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder's home are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for seven children on a part time basis. The childminder takes

p.2

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 and collects children from local schools and attends local parent/toddler groups and the local park. The family have a pet rabbit. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children follow effective procedures and practices that meet their health, physical and nutritional needs. The good adult support and guidance helps children gain understanding of hygiene and become increasingly independent in their personal care, for example, as they wash their hands after caring for the rabbit, before meals and after use of the toilet. The childminder has implemented sound hygiene routines to protect children from illness and the spread of infection. Children enjoy a broad range of enjoyable physical activities that contribute to their good health. Daily activities include opportunities for children to be outdoors, for example, going to and from school, in the garden visits to the park. Children are able to rest or be active according to their individual needs. Children's nutritional needs are well met. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and the children's choices to provide meals that appeal to the

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

children and meet their individual requirements.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a well-organised, warm and welcoming environment. Good organisation of space and resources and daily checks ensure children have room to move around freely, safely and independently. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and to maintaining children's safety outside the home. Equipment and resources are well organised and at child level, which allows them to make choices and direct their own play. Toys are available for all ages and in sufficient quantities to ensure children enjoy a wide range of activities to promote all areas of development. The childminder has most of the required documentation, records and procedures in place to ensure the children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. Children are well protected. The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities with regard to child protection.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder's home; they enter confidently and make themselves at home. The childminder provides an interesting, broad range of activities, both indoors and outdoors, which take account of children's individual interests and developing needs. Consistent support and meaningful praise encourages children to become increasingly independent, to learn what they can do and when to ask for help, for example, when playing circle games or reading stories. Children's self-esteem is developing as a result of the childminder encouraging and praising them and valuing what they have to offer. Good relationships are evident between the childminder and the children, contributing to the children's sense of belonging. The childminder has established care routines that are consistent with the children's own home routines. This promotes their sense of security and develop their

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder actively promotes equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory good practice resulting in all children feeling valued and free from discrimination. They access a wide, varied range of activities and resources that increase their awareness of diversity. Children learn about their local community as they visit places of interest such as going for walks and jumping in puddles, having picnics in the park and visiting a pottery. The childminder uses positive strategies for managing behaviour taking account of children's ages, stages and level of understanding. This helps the children understand the boundaries, play together and behave well. Children benefit from the positive partnership the childminder has developed with their parents. The childminder actively seeks parent's views about their children's individual needs when they register their child and on a regular basis after that.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are kept verbally informed about their child's progress and achievements. This enables the childminder to meet each child's individual needs and parents wishes for their children.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home in the organised environment. This means they are confident and can initiate their own learning. Space, both indoors and outdoors, is set-out to maximise play opportunities for children. They are able to move around safely, confidently and independently. Most documentation is available. However, not all required parental written

p.4

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 agreements are in place, the procedure to be followed in the event of a complaint does not contain Ofsted contact details and the register of attendance is not kept up to date. Verbal information is shared on a daily basis with parents, keeping them informed about their child’s progress, development and achievements. This contributes to the continuity of the child's care. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the children cared for.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection a recommendation was made for the childminder to record existing injuries a child arrives with. The childminder has reviewed and up dated her record keeping to include a written record of any injuries a child arrives with. As a result the partnership with parents and children's care and well-being have improved.

p.5

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. There are no complaints to report.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • ensure that attendance records are kept up to date; written agreements with parents are maintained and that the complaints procedure contains Ofsted contact details.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.5

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

p.5