Ysgol Gymunedol Croesgoch

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 400691 Inspection date 28/10/2009 Inspector Carys Millican

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1996. She lives with her husband and adult family in Cold Cotes, near Ingleton. Children have access to the kitchen, playroom, lounge and a downstairs wash room. The childminder provides care from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Wednesday to Friday throughout the year. Children have supervised access to the front garden which is available for outdoor activities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. The childminder cares for children up to age eight years. The childminder visits the local toddler and social groups. The family have a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is registered on the Early Years Register, the Childcare Register and voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are very happy and settled in this safe, secure and stimulating environment. The childminder enables children to make choices and decisions within familiar routines and freely chosen activities which meet their individual interests. Children access a good selection of resources and play opportunities which effectively cover all areas of learning and enable them to make excellent progress in their development. The childminder actively promotes inclusion using a wide range of innovative resources and activities which help children learn about the difference and diversity of the world around them. The childminder is an experienced, committed and dedicated practitioner who has made a good start to the self-evaluation process to continually reflect on her practice and professional development to improve the outcomes for children.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 continue to encourage parents' involvement in their children's learning and establish links with other settings to ensure progression and continuity of learning and care.

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the early years provision

The childminder is an experienced and highly motivated practitioner. She has a sound knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues, to protect children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and keep them safe from harm. Written risk assessments and visual safety checks minimise potential hazards, enabling children to move around and explore safely and securely. Children learn how to stay safe in a range of situations. The childminder talks to children to raise their awareness, for example, when playing outside or when out walking. Children enjoy inclusive play and learning experiences which meet individual interests. The childminder creates an enabling environment. Children can access a designated play room whereby they can easily access the wide variety of toys and play materials. Younger children can use a picture method to choose from the vast selection of resources and activities

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the early years provision

available to them. Children develop positive relationships with the childminder and family members. They enjoy a sense of belonging and develop a close bond with the childminder and her family.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed and dedicated to further develop her childminding service and to driving improvement. She regularly attends workshops and undertakes further training opportunities, and follows any guidance contributed by her early years advisor. Children benefit from her undivided attention and one-to- one support provided. They thrive in her company. The home is exceptionally well organised. Children enjoy a good balance and variety of stimulating indoor and outdoor activities, including numerous adventures outdoors on outings where they enjoy plenty of fresh air.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established positive relationships with parents. She works closely with them and is sympathetic to issues of concern to them. Parents and carers praise the childminder and highly recommend the service she provides for them and their children. The childminder obtains information from parents about children’s individual needs and routines to ensure consistently of arrangements. Children’s developmental starting points are discussed and used for initial assessment for further planning. Observation and assessments are made which influence further planned activities and build on children’s interests so the next steps in development are clearly marked. Parents and carers are verbally informed of their child’s day and individual records are shared with parents on a regular basis. However, there are no comments added by parents about what children do at home or what they would like their child to achieve next. Some children also

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the early years provision

attend local nurseries and schools in the locality, however, formal links have not been established in order to ensure progression and continuity of learning and care.

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy a wide range and variety of interesting and stimulating activities across all six areas of learning. They thrive in the childminder's company and benefit from the individual one-to-one support they receive. Children are developing well. They make excellent progress from their starting points. The childminder sits with the children, talks to them, asks them questions and participates in their play activities. She has an excellent rapport with them and gets to know them well as unique individuals. Records are collated showing children's progress. These include photographs of them taking part in different activities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Individualised laminated topic sheets are an excellent resource used by the childminder to help children learn about difference and diversity. They enable children to recall past experiences, look at similarities and difference of the world

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and outcomes for children

around them, and also relate to their background and community.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy, and extremely confident and self-assured. They help themselves to the toys available and confidently play on the floor. The childminder knows the children well and has a good understanding of child development and how children learn best. She explains each child’s unique attributes and qualities, and observes them as they play, noting down any new skills they attain. Children feel safe and secure in the setting because routines are consistent and familiar to them. The childminder is always available to the children, supporting and guiding them in all activities. She helps extend their learning by asking questions and positively praising their efforts. These positive relationships are helping children build their confidence and independence in making choices and decisions. Children are cuddled and reassured, comforted and soothed, so that they are emotionally secure. Crawling children are given opportunities to stand and move around

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and outcomes for children

domestic furniture and the childminder is close by to help and support. They enjoy the freedom and independence of helping themselves to containers to fill up and empty at will. Numerous natural materials are provided for heuristic sensory play. Children make eye contact and vocalise with the childminder who constantly reinforces their language and communication skills. They listen to music and stories, look at books and images of themselves in a mirror.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder protects children's health and well-being. Resources and equipment are sturdy and safe, clean and well maintained. Children begin to learn basic health and hygiene practices following the role model of the childminder. They adopt good personal hygiene habits through hand washing routines. Children are provided with healthy, nutritious, homemade meals and a variety of fruit snacks. They readily access feeder cups containing water and get plenty of fresh air and regular exercise, thus promoting their good health. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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