Tylorstown Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 401240 Inspection date 16 December 2005 Inspector Diane Lynn Turner

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1995. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and 9 in a semi-detached house in Pickering. All of the ground floor and a designated bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden at the rear of the property for outdoor play. Two guinea pigs are kept at the home. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and is working towards a quality assurance award. She is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children under 8 years old at any one time and is currently minding 11

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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 children, 2 of whom are over 8 years. They all attend on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. The house is maintained to very good standards and there are effective procedures to ensure good hygiene practices are followed so children remain healthy. For example, the childminder ensures toys are cleaned regularly and talks to the parents about the care of children who are ill, so they know when they shouldn't attend. Children learn the importance of following good hygiene practices. For example, they are all encouraged to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. The younger children are encouraged to clean their teeth after lunch and they have their name and photograph displayed above their towel and face cloth, which helps them develop their independence and also helps to prevent the risk of cross infection. Children learn about keeping healthy and have daily opportunities to enjoy fresh air

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Helping children to be healthy

and develop their physical skills. For example, they play in the garden where they are able to use resources such as wheeled toys, walk to and from school each day, enjoy regular visits to the nearby park and take part in music and movement activities. Children are able to rest or sleep according to their needs. The younger ones follow their individual sleep patterns as discussed with their parents and the older ones are able to relax and take part in quiet activities after school. Children benefit from healthy snacks and meals that are well balanced, nutritious and comply with individual dietary needs and parental wishes. The childminder talks to the children about what food is good for them and encourages them to learn good social skills as they sit at the table to eat. Drinks are made readily available; the younger ones for example have their cups easily accessible, to which they independently help themselves when they become thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an extremely well organised and child friendly home. The playroom in particular is bright and welcoming with displays of the children's art work, which shows their efforts are valued and appreciated. The childminder checks all areas thoroughly each day before the children arrive to ensure all safety measures are in place. This minimises any risks to their safety and as a result the children move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder gives high priority to helping the children to understand how to keep themselves safe. For example, she talks to them about the emergency evacuation procedures and practices these with them so they know what to do in the event of a fire. She talks to them about road safety and has established boundaries that they follow on the way to school. She

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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 gently reminds them to follow safe practices as they play, such as explaining to the younger ones why they can only use particular resources under her supervision. Children independently select activities from an excellent range of well maintained toys and resources. The childminder organises these effectively to ensure they are easily accessible and appropriate to the age and stage of development of the children attending. For example, the younger ones are able to access their own books from the low level bookcase. The childminder has all the required documentation to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. She holds a current first aid qualification, appropriate insurance and has clear systems to record any accidents the children may have whilst in her care. She has a secure understanding of the local Area Child Protection

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Committee procedures and is very clear of her responsibilities in regard to protecting children from possible abuse. She knows what to do if she has concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle extremely well at the childminder's house because she is very attentive and has a very calm, caring manner. They are confident in their surroundings and are very much at home. As a result they develop close and trusting relationships with her. They are offered a good range of both planned and free play activities, which enables them to extend their learning and development in varied and interesting ways. For example, the older children are able to relax on their return from school, direct their own play or take part in planned activities linked to themes such as making Christmas decorations. Activities for the younger children ensure their development is supported in all areas. All children spend their time purposefully. For example, they enjoy taking part in imaginative play activities as they care for the dolls and dress up as fire fighters. The children are given very good opportunities and time to talk and respond to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

questions, which enables them to develop their communication skills. For example, the younger ones listen carefully and respond positively as the childminder encourages them to draw round stencils, build using construction materials and help to put the train track together. They have good opportunities to develop their language skills as they choose which book they would like to share with the childminder. For example, they delight in looking at books about the Christmas period when they enthusiastically name the different parts of a snowman. They are very confident and demonstrate good levels of independence as they choose between an excellent variety of toys, books and activities, which are all easily accessible. They follow the childminder's guidance very well and respond with pleasure to the activities provided. They are happy, settled and clearly feel part of the family.

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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 provides a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, they learn about diversity as they use a range of resources such as books and dolls that reflect other cultures. They have very good opportunities to learn about their local community as they walk to and from school, visit the park and enjoy outings to the library, local farm shop and toddler group. Children are valued and respected as individuals and the childminder meets their needs very well. They follow their daily routines as discussed with their parents, who are kept well informed about the provision. The childminder is sensitive to the parent's feelings and anxieties and good relationships and communication are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

evident. The childminder has a very good understanding of behaviour management. She is a very good role model for the children to follow as she is very patient in her approach. Children are well behaved because boundaries are explained very effectively at their level of understanding. They respond positively to the childminder's clear guidance and are very familiar with the established routines, which they follow well; for example, they know they have to sit at the table to eat. They are confident in their surroundings and develop good levels of independence, for example they make decisions about what they want to play with as they help themselves to toys and equipment. The childminder's consistent use of praise and encouragement ensures the children feel self-assured and supported in becoming confident in what they can and cannot do.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel very much at home and at ease in the childminder's care. The provision of a very well organised and supportive environment enables them to move about freely and independently and develop their confidence to initiate their own play and learning. Clear procedures help the service operate smoothly and efficiently and are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. All aspects of the service are discussed with the parents who are kept well informed about their child's activities through daily discussion. This helps to ensure that the children's care needs are being met continuously. The childminder shows a good commitment to extending her knowledge and improving her practice through training. She attends various courses and is working towards a quality assurance award. Most of the required documentation is in place. This is well organised and stored

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Organisation

appropriately to maintain confidentiality. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder improve the documentation by ensuring details of any students and assistants are recorded.

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Improvements 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 All details of the assistants who work with the childminder are now clearly recorded. This has added significantly to the organisation of the service.

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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. There are no complaints to report.

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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): • ensure written agreements, which set out the expectations of both parties, are in place for all children • obtain written permission from parents for the seeking of medical advice or treatment in an emergency.

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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

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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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