Segman, Smadar

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY313799 Inspection date 05 May 2006 Inspector Malini Parmar

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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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and two children in Hendon London. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, apart from the kitchen and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group.

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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 satisfactory. Children learn about healthy hygiene practice through the daily routine. They are, for example, encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times. Children benefit from the positive steps taken to prevent the spread of infection. They have their own bedding, individual hand towels are used, and clear nappy changing procedures are followed. Children are assured of receiving appropriate treatment in an emergency because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. However, their welfare is not fully safeguarded because the childminder does not keep an accurate record of all medicines administered. Children learn the importance of healthy eating as they are regularly provided with drinks and a selection of nutritious snacks and meals. These comply with all special dietary requirements and parental wishes. Children are able to rest, eat and sleep according to their individual needs to promote their wellbeing. They have daily

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Helping children to be healthy

opportunities for fresh air and vigorous play to encourage confidence in their movements. They, for example, clearly enjoy balancing along small beams to develop confidence in their movements. They have weekly chances to develop greater control in their movements as they participate in music and movement classes.

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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 warm and welcoming home. They benefit from the clear, child focussed layout of resources. The use of low level toy boxes and shelves make it easy for children to freely and independently select from a wide range of safe toys and resources. Children have suitable access to furniture and equipment to meet their needs, such as their own bed for sleeps and a small table used for mealtimes only. Children are closely supervised and are always within sight and hearing of the childminder. They are able to explore and move around safely within the home, because the childminder has minimised the majority of potential risks. However, not all identified risks, as yet, have been minimised. Children have useful chances to learn to keep themselves safe as they are offered some explanations of why something may be dangerous. Children's wellbeing is safeguarded due to the secure

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

knowledge the childminder has of child protection procedures and issues.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are confident and have a strong bond with the childminder. They form positive relationships with each other as they share resources and their experiences

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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 for example, when using and playing with the farm animals. Children benefit from clear routines which meet their individual needs and are excited by the range of stimulating activities on offer, such as painting, puzzles and role play. Children eagerly learn to mimic their observations of the world around them as they frequently engage in imaginary play and "vacuum the floor". They benefit from being valued and listened to and receive good levels of involvement in their play to enable them to successfully make independent choices. This is promoted by the clear layout of resources, which makes it easy for children to make connections as they distinguish from different toys and select their favourite one. Children engage in quiet and noisy activities and naturally select a book to read with the childminder, as their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

rest time approaches. The childminder consistently engages in conversation with the children, offering explanations, choices and skilfully uses mathematical language. This enables children to become skilful communicators as they listen, repeat and begin to describe "big", "small" and colours accurately. They delight as they explore the properties of sand to stimulate their senses. They develop sound levels of concentration as they match the shapes to successfully fit them through the correct compartment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children receive sound levels of individual care and attention because their needs and circumstances are well known to the childminder. They confidently seek help and support in the secure knowledge that their needs will be met. They learn about the local world through regular trips into the community, they access local parks and play resources. Children develop a strong personal identity because their day is steeped in the affirmation of their own culture. However, there are few opportunities to learn about the wider world in order to ensure a balanced view. Children generally behave well; they are valued and respond well to the childminders firm expectations of their behaviour. They develop strong levels of self-esteem, assurance and confidence by being praised and acknowledged within a close secure relationship. As a result children are happy and co-operate well. Their behaviour is

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Helping children make a positive contribution

consistently managed and they are offered explanations in order to help them understand their actions. Children benefit from the childminder's close links with parents to ensure that pertinent information is exchanged daily. Parents are encouraged to share all necessary information and requirements upon entry and are provided with daily verbal information about how their child spent their time with the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

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 are confident and settled in a well organised environment. They freely select their own resources and form positive and secure relationships with the childminder. They benefit from clear flexible routines and the childminder's commitment to meeting their individual needs. The majority of the required records are in place. However, lapses in the organisation mean that the childminder has not yet obtained all necessary consent, for example, to ensure children's health, for all children attending. The childminder has all necessary checks in place for herself and members of her family and is currently ensuring checks are in place for all persons working on the premises above the age of 16 years. Children's overall care, learning and welfare is enhanced by the information shared between parents and the childminder. As a result they are happy,

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Organisation

feel safe and secure. The childminder is working towards ensuring a full compliment of documentation such a complaints policy.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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 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 satisfactory. 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): • obtain consent to seek emergency medical aid or treatment, for all the children in care • keep an accurate record of all medicines administered and ensure procedures for the administration of medication conform to the national standards

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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 • take positive steps to promote safety within the home and reduce all potential hazards, in particular in the hallway, and minimise the dangers posed by the staircase • ensure all required documentation to promote the welfare of children is in place, ensure a complaints policy is in place which conforms to current regulation • make sure all persons over the age of 16 years living or regularly present in the household when children are being minded undergo checks including a criminal records check.

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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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