Mardapittas, Anna

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY287070 Inspection date 18 May 2005 Inspector Philippa Clare Williams

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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 2004. She lives on the premises with her husband and three children aged 10 years, 7 years, and 3 years old. The premises are located in Southgate N14, close to local parks and shops. Minded children have access to the ground floor through lounge, breakfast room, kitchen, toilet, large garden and first floor bedrooms for sleeping purposes. She is registered to care for three children under eight years, she is currently caring for five children under five years, all on a part time basis.

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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 childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She takes children to local toddler groups, parks indoor soft play areas or the farm on a weekly basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home. They are learning to stay healthy and develop good hygiene practises because the childminder for example talks to them about hand washing and dressing appropriately outside. Children have daily access to physical play opportunities and show delight in chasing games, crawling through the tunnel, climbing in the garden and being pushed on the swing. Young children are developing good physical skills, for example early crawling, standing, catching, throwing and climbing due to the childminder providing appropriate challenges and support. Babies individual sleep needs are met well and they are able to sleep in a comfortable safe environment. Young children are given good opportunities for making choices and these are well supported by the childminder. Children are settled and relaxed in the childminders care, they respond to her warmly and are learning to

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Helping children to be healthy

move around and do things for themselves. Children benefit from a healthy diet. The childminder works in partnership with parents to provide a freshly prepared hot midday day meals and snacks for their children which are balanced and nutritious and meet dietary requirements. They are offered regular drinks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Overall children are cared for in a welcoming, safe, secure environment. Children move around with confidence and are at ease, as the childminder provides a child focused, welcoming and secure environment. Children make independent choices from a wide selection of age appropriate safe resources. Children are learning to keep themselves safe as the childminder talks to them about safe practices. Although the childminder makes daily checks of the premises and garden before children have access, two potential risks were identified, in the garden- an insecure swing and in the bedroom -access to toiletries, it was agreed these will need immediate attention. Children are protected because the childminder knows the procedures to follow if she has a concern about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children show enthusiasm and interest for the activities and resources available as the childminder knows their needs well and is able to provide appropriate

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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 experiences. They especially enjoy games such as hide and seek and outdoor play and screamed with delight at being push on the swing and being found in the hide and seek game. Children use their initiative as they make independent choices of resources and activities available. Children are making good developmental progress as the childminder provides opportunities which challenge children for example completing shape sorters, stacking beakers and singing simple songs. Children develop positive relationships with the childminder and each other, there is warm interaction, they show concern and care for each and are given good opportunities for group socialisation at toddler groups. The childminder is good at engaging all the children in activities together and provides appropriate levels of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

comfort and reassurance. Young children are learning to become confident communicators as the childminder provides good eye contact, develops conversations, asks questions and narrates what they are doing. Babies are able to communicate in their own way because the childminder is good at interpreting and giving meaning to their sounds. Young children are beginning to make connections and understand their world due to the range of different activities and opportunities provided by the childminder for example young babies explore natural resources in the treasure basket, and they enjoy visits to the farm. Young children are learning to respond imaginatively as the childminder engages in pretend play with the children with a good range of resources, such as making tea and dressing up. Children benefit from the childminder's good use and understanding of the Birth to Three Matters framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's needs are met well in partnership with parents because the childminder has excellent systems in place. For example parents are kept informed of their child's progress and care, through a daily verbal exchange and well documented daily record sheets. The childminder seeks the views of parents and these form a basis for care offered. Children benefit from a flexible settling in procedure which meets individual needs. Children's care is enhanced because the childminder is well informed of likes, dislikes, routines, and comforters. Children are learning to share and take turns as the childminder supports them well and gives clear explanations for example when they were taking turns in throwing and catching the balloon. Children are learning to understand their own and other's needs as the childminder gives children equal access to group activities and adapts them to their needs for examples during a group story and song session. Children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

learn to appreciate other cultures and religions as they participate in activities related

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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 to festivals and have access to different resources.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is enhanced because the childminder has effective and efficient organisation. As a result children are developing their confidence and independence as they choose from a wide range of adult and child lead play opportunities. The childminder organises her time well so its is spent with the children supporting them in their play and extending their development. All the required records, policies and procedures are in place stored in separate folders for confidentiality purposes. The childminder makes good use of the training opportunities available to extend her knowledge and understanding of childcare and early years education. Overall the provision meets the needs of children who attend.

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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): • make sure the garden swing is made safe and secure and that toiletries in the bedroom are inaccessible

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and

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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 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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