Childminder in Barnet

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY306829 Inspection date 07 April 2006 Inspector Marcia Robinson

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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and 1 child aged 2 years old. The family live in a three bedroom property situated in the Cricklewood area within the London Borough of Barnet. The childminder uses the lounge, dining room, bathroom facilities and spare bedroom for childminding purposes. A fully enclosed garden is available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 2 children at any one time. She is currently minding 1 child under 5 years. The childminder is a member of the

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 National Childminding Association (NCMA).

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean childminding home. Children are encouraged to develop good hygiene practice through regular hand washing before eating and after using the toilet. This is further promoted by the childminder who follows a daily cleaning routine and ensures children use individual cups, towels and flannels to prevent them from cross-infection. The childminder is first aid trained and she is aware of the correct procedures to follow should a child become ill in her care. For example, children who are infectious do not attend. Systems are in place for the recording of accidents and these are shared with parents. Children have sufficient opportunities for physical exercise on a daily basis. They enjoy walking to local shops and playing with a variety of outdoor equipment in the garden, at local parks and drop-in groups. Children are provided with a satisfactory range of meals, snacks and drinks. The

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

childminder plans the menu to cater for children's special dietary needs and preferences. Parents bring the snacks for their children. The childminder provides a choice of cereals, yogurts or toast for breakfast and pasta, fish cakes, corned beef sandwiches, fresh fruit and occasionally crisps for lunch. Children are regularly offered a choice of water, juice or milk to drink.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from playing in a spacious and welcoming environment that the childminder has adapted and organised effectively with the needs of children in mind. For example, space is available on the ground floor for children to play and eat and a bedroom on the first floor is available for children to rest. Children use a satisfactory range of good quality toys and resources but they are not always easily accessible to them. For example, they are currently stored in a play pen which limits children's ability to choose and make decisions for themselves. Children benefit from a good range of safety measures and equipment in place, such as safety gates, window locks and plug safety covers which ensure children's safety inside the home. Good procedures for identifying and reducing risks are used by the childminder who conducts daily safety checks on both the indoor and outdoor areas

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

of her home. Children are generally safe when taken on outings and walks. They are always strapped in the pushchair or they wear reins. However, the childminder has not obtained written parental agreement for taking children on outings.

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 Children's welfare and well-being are safeguarded because the childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues. She knows how to report concerns and is clear about the correct procedure to take if allegations of abuse are made against herself or any other members of her family. All the relevant documentation is in place to support the childminder's knowledge and understanding of child protection issues.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children have a good relationship with the childminder, she understands their needs well and children communicate well with her both verbally and non verbally. Children enjoy listening to stories, they enjoy constructing train tracks with the childminder, who engages with children's play positively. Children play with a selection of play materials that the childminder chooses, this means that occasionally the variety of resources available are not sufficiently balanced to meet children's play and learning needs. On the day of inspection the resources available consisted mainly of construction activities such as train tracks, trains, building blocks, a garage. Although the childminder is caring for children under the age of 3 she has not incorporated Birth to three matters into her provision. Children enjoy socialising with other children and they visit local drop-in groups with

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the childminder so that they can experience a wider range of play experiences. Children enjoy outdoor play in the garden where there is a selection of outdoor play equipment such as wheelie toys and bicycles.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about their community as they have routine visits to the local park, shops and drop-in groups. Children are beginning to learn about other people, as the childminder raises their awareness of cultures through discussions. However, there is a limited range of resources to help children appreciate and value each others similarities and differences. Children with special needs do not currently attend, although the aim is for inclusion but this will depend on the specific circumstances and take into account the impact on the other children attending. Children's confidence and self-esteem is fully promoted by the childminder who uses positive praise and encouragement to build on children's good behaviour. Children's behaviour is managed well by the childminder through distraction and simple explanations that are appropriate to their age and stage of development.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has established positive relationships with parents. They liaise closely at the beginning and end of the day and hold regular discussions about the care, routines and welfare needs of the children. Continuity of care is ensured by the

p.4

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 childminder who uses mostly verbal procedures to keep parents informed about the provision and their children. However, the childminder does not have written parental consents for outings and urgent medical treatment is not available.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The setting is meeting the needs of the range of children for whom it provides care. Children's welfare and safety is generally well promoted as the childminder has ensured that all adults living on the premises have been vetted for suitability. The childminder has maintained appropriate adult-child ratios and has attended training necessary to update herself in the introduction of childminding practice and first aid. She is also interested in Birth to Three Matters training in order to extend her knowledge and understanding of play and learning, specifically for children under 3 years. Children's play, learning and care needs are supported by a generally well organised physical environment and daily routine. This helps the children to feel comfortable and at home in this caring environment, where the childminder is warm and attentive towards their needs. Most records are in place and satisfactorily maintained, although the accident record

p.5

Organisation

does not include the childminder's signature and a system for recording complaints and medication administered to children is not in place, which could impact on children's welfare and safety.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. The childminder 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.

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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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

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): • request written permission from parents for outings and seeking urgent medical treatment or advice. • plan and extend the provision available to ensure that children have easy access to a range of play materials and activities that are balanced to meet all areas of learning and development • provide a range of toys and books to develop children's self-awareness and positive image of themselves, their family, and others. • improve record keeping by ensuring the accident record contains all the required details and devise systems for the recording of complaints and medication administered to children

p.6

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.6

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.6