Childminder in EnfieldOfsted inspection, 12 May 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY282351 Inspection date 12 May 2005 Inspector Carolyn Mary Hasler

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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 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 has been registered since 2004. She is registered to provide care for five children under eight years; of these, not more than three may be under five years; and of these not more than one may be under one year. She does not offer overnight care. There are currently three children on role. She lives with her husband and four children aged eighteen, seventeen, fourteen and five years. Their house is in a quiet road in Enfield, a suburb of London. There are parks, schools, toddler and play groups close by. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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 The family keep a pet cat. Is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children know and comply with health routines but they may not often share in their development. They are healthy because the childminder generally follows health and hygiene guidance. Children learn about hygiene through role modelling and consistent hygiene routines. Children are provided with regular drinks and food in adequate quantities for their needs although they sometimes lack variety and choices, the childminder ensures that food is stored and prepared appropriately; parents are verbally informed about what children have eaten at the end of the day. They lack information on menu planning. Children have access to a variety of play equipment both inside and outside which fosters both fine and large motor skills. Parents and childminders work sufficiently well together to meet children's needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a spacious home where most risks have been identified and minimised. This means that children are generally able to move around safely, freely and independently. Children show that they have emerging understanding of how to keep themselves safe both inside and outside the home as they listen to and respond to the childminders explanations and warnings of danger. Children independently selects activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which meets safety standards. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children’s choices of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for the age and stage of development. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children’s safety, however knowledge and understanding of child protection issues is weak and is an area for future development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well, they form good relationships with each other; they have opportunities to play both on their own and as part of a small group where they can join in with each others games. Children have access to a suitable range of developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor activities and pre school children were exited and enthusiastic with the variety of play equipment which was available, although these are not always sufficiently challenging for older children. Children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 have limited opportunities to get messy or become creative as they lack play opportunities like sand, water, painting or sticking. They sometimes offer their own ideas and show particular interest in one particular activity, this is not always fostered and there were missed opportunities for choice making, independence and learning for children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Younger children are beginning to understand their own needs and the needs of others. They understand responsible behaviour and responded well to praise. Young children lacked opportunities to practice independence skills, make choices and decisions. Their physical needs are met well as they follow a normal daily routine which sometimes fails to recognise children’s wishes, children respond by showing compliance to the adult. Information about the children’s day is shared with parents. Children's knowledge and understanding of the world around them is limited through the lack of a range of play opportunities and the childminders own understanding of equality issues. Pre school children learn about their local community through attending play group and trips to the park and to the local library.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and are settled within a well organised environment. The child minder ensures that she works within her registered numbers and that she supervises children's care. Regulatory records such as attendance registers, accident, medication and incident records are kept and shared with parents. The childminder ensures that a formal business arrangement is in place with parents which are reviewed regularly and stored in a secure place. The needs of all the children are being met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints since the last inspection

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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

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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 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): • take action to ensure that all members of the household over the age of 16years has completed vetting procedures • develop knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities and implement knowledge and understanding within childcare practices. • develop knowledge and understanding of children from birth to three years, provide parents with information about children’s developmental progress and plan how children will reach their full potential, provide children with opportunities to get messy and be creative • take action to prevent the spread of infection between one child and another, provide parents with a written sickness policy which sets out when you will be excluding children, share with parents menu plans and provide children with variety and choice within their diet

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The quality and standards of the care

• devise a risk assessment which takes account of how electrical wiring will not pose a hazard to children, develop knowledge and understanding of Child Protection issues

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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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