Penygraig Infants School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 401199 Inspection date 04 January 2006 Inspector Mandy Black

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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 has been registered since 1995. She lives with her husband and four children, two boys aged 17 and 15 years, and twin girls aged 12 years. The family home is a terraced house with an enclosed rear garden in Richmond. Minded children have access to all downstairs rooms, an upstairs bedroom and the bathroom. The childminder is registered to care for six children and is currently caring for two children under five years. She is able to collect children from Richmond Church of England School. Family pets include two cats.

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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. Young children are gaining a good awareness of simple hygiene procedures, and are actively encouraged to wash their hands thoroughly before and after eating. They stand on a stool at the sink and use separate cloths to wash their own hands and faces, with the childminder close at hand to support them. Children are very enthusiastic about what is clearly a frequent task, as the childminder talks to them about why it is important to 'wash away' the germs. They are helped to stay healthy because the she implements an effective sickness policy and does not hesitate to contact parents of children who are sick. This protects the health of all children in her care. She gives high priority to cleanliness in her home and asks visitors to remove their outdoor footwear, which ensures children are cared for in a clean and healthy environment. Children are suitably nourished because they are regularly fed in accordance with

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Helping children to be healthy

their own home routines. Although all food, snacks and drinks are provided by parents, the childminder minimises any risk to children by storing the food appropriately, and preparing it in line with parents or manufacturers recommendations. She ensures she always has a good stock of alternate, healthy snacks to offer children when attending toddler groups. Young children are encouraged to be independent at mealtimes and use their own cutlery, although the childminder sits close to the high chairs to offer practical support and assistance. Children enjoy the very social aspect of mealtimes and engage in plenty of conversation about what they are eating. Drinks are continually accessible to children because the childminder ensures they are kept refilled, within easy reach and in recognisable cups. Children enjoy physical exercise regularly. For example, they are taken outdoors and experience fresh air each day; a particular favourite is walks to the local park, where

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Helping children to be healthy

they can develop their physical skills on suitable play equipment for very young children. They attend toddler groups where they enjoy climbing and sliding, and crawling enthusiastically through tunnels.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming environment which is very homely, cosy and child friendly. Bright and colourful art work adorns the walls, which creates a sense of belonging. Children are kept safe because the front door is securely locked, all necessary safety features are in place to protect them, and they are supervised well, which ensures the risk of accidents is minimal. The childminder monitors young children carefully whilst providing freedom for them to play and explore their surroundings .They are kept very safe on outings because the childminder makes sure that they are either securely strapped into a pushchair, or can walk safely and independently whenever possible, with the aid of reins if needed. Older children

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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 participate in valuable and effective discussions with the childminder about what they would do to keep themselves safe if there was a fire. The childminder owns an extensive range of toys and books, which are all regularly checked to ensure that they are safe and suitable for children. Equipment is very accessible to children at floor level which means that they can make independent choices in their play. Children are successfully protected because the childminder is very clear about her role in child protection, and has absolutely no reservation about putting appropriate procedures into practice if necessary. She encourages parents to share information about existing injuries and makes sure they understand that the needs of the children are paramount.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children develop high levels of confidence and self-esteem because the childminder welcomes them warmly into her home, and considers their needs above all others. She praises them freely, talks to them frequently and is endlessly patient in her approach to the children. They clearly feel comfortable and secure in their surroundings, and respond with smiles and laughter. Minded children are affectionate with each other which shows that they are forming positive relationships. Young children show great interest in what they do, for example, they are totally engaged in appropriate activities, such as looking at books with the childminder, and pointing to interesting pictures. Although children have not yet developed sufficient vocabulary to ask questions, they are very confident and make their needs well known to the childminder as they point to toys they would like to play with. She

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

responds positively and provides the words to help build their developing vocabulary. Children acquire new knowledge and skills as they carefully manipulate tiny stickers to attach to paper, and they laugh as they stick them onto their hands and the childminder's nose.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very well cared for and have their individual needs very well met because the childminder liaises closely with parents to ensure she can cater effectively for all their likes, dislikes, special requirements and routines. She shares all relevant information successfully with parents, such as detailed accident records and excellent verbal communications about the children's day. However, she has not introduced a complaints record in line with recent changes to registration requirements. Children feel a strong sense of belonging and are very secure, relaxed and comfortable in their surroundings because the childminder very successfully

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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 welcomes them as part of the family, treating all children with equal value and concern. They are beginning to understand responsible behaviour and learn to distinguish between right and wrong due to the childminder's positive approach to managing behaviour, and her excellent awareness and understanding of their developmental needs. For example, she tells one child very clearly that it is unkind to hurt another child, and she makes all children feel good about themselves with her frequent praise and encouragement. Young children are very well supervised and the childminder can generally anticipate any problems and intervene to distract if appropriate. Children are becoming aware of the wider society through their observations outdoors. They spend time with the childminder looking at nature, local

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Helping children make a positive contribution

farm animals and are fascinated by watching the comings and goings at the local police station.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well protected and cared for by an experienced childminder with an excellent knowledge and understanding of child development. She clearly demonstrates a high regard for the well-being of all children and supports them well. The childminder organises her time well so that she can focus on the children. With the exception of one day, she does not have to collect older children from school, which means that she can devote and plan her days entirely around the needs of the young children, without any interruption to their care needs. Children enjoy suitable activities, such as visits to the park and attending three different local toddler groups. Documentation is all well organised, the majority is in place and it meets requirements. Policies and procedures work well in practice to promote outcomes for children. For example, the childminder ensures that she checks fire equipment

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Organisation

regularly and carries out suitable fire evacuation procedures with older children to ensure they are able to keep themselves safe in a fire. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom care is provided.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that her fire blanket was easily accessible, and to make sure young children were not able to access potentially hazardous small pieces in play resource boxes. Both of these recommendations have been fully addressed which has a positive impact on children's safety and well-being.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. 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

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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 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): • introduce a complaints record in line with recent changes to registration requirements.

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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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