Paramanathan, Chrishani

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY240694 Inspection date 20 April 2005 Inspector Margaret Jean Moore

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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 works with two other registered childminders in a three storey house. One of the childminders lives at the premises with her 2 school age daughters. The whole of the ground and top floor are used for childminding, children have access to a bed room and bathroom on the first floor. A fully enclosed garden is available. The property is located between Belsize Park and Hampstead Heath. Local shops, bus and train routes are within walking distance.

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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 There are no pets and it is a non smoking household. Children are taken out to local play groups, parks and library.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, spacious, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They are developing an understanding of why they must wash their hands before eating and after they use the toilet and when they come in from the garden. Children are able to make healthy food choices and instigate snack time when they identify they are hungry or thirsty. There is a water fountain for those children who are able to help themselves. The parents supply the lunch for the children attending, the childminder ensures that all the children receive a healthy, varied diet in consultation with the parents. Regular trips to local parks, playgrounds and playgroups improve children's physical skills. The front and back garden is also used for the children, both areas have large play equipment available such as slide and swings, but at present both areas are in

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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 risks are mainly identified and minimised, however, the windows on the second and third floors needs to be adequately locked to ensure children's safety at all times. Children have access to a wide rang of play resources and equipment, which are accessed both in the ground floor play room and in the top floor activity room that has sand and water play also available. All the resources and equipment are clean and she ensures they are safe and appropriate for the children's age and stage of development. Children have a separate room for sleeping , cots and child size mattresses and bed linen are available, which is clean and plentiful, children are monitored regularly while they sleep. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure the children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted, for example she holds a valid

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

first aid certificate, has recently updated Child Protection training and has an understanding of issues surrounding child protection in line with the Local Area Child Protection Committee.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well settled at the childminder's home, they relate well to each other and socialise with other children through regular attendance at a local Music and Singing group, City Farm, library and Hampstead Heath which is situated very near the childminder's home. Children's independence is developed by having the ability to choose between a variety of toys, books and activities, which are easily accessible in a spacious environment that has been adapted to meet all the children's individual needs. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how children learn and develop and effectively describes how she builds on older children's natural curiosity to extend their learning through music making, reading and craft activities. Activities are well balanced and include opportunities for children to socialise with others at local playgroups and drop in centres.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children, are valued and respected as individuals, the childminder was seen to meet each child's individual needs well, including children with special needs. There are good strategies in place for managing children's behaviour. Children were happy to see each other, relating well to the three childminders. The childminder has a good relationship with children's parents, she works in a group with two other childminders, they have adopted a key worker system. Recording children's development and every day routines such as eating, sleeping and nappy changing routines. These are kept in a diary which is given to the parents at the end of each day.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at home and at ease with the satisfactorily organised environment. They were confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare and care of children. They are shared regularly with parent to keep them well informed about the service and their child's activities. This contributes to continuity in the children's care.

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Organisation

The childminder despite telephoning Ofsted, failed to inform Ofsted in writing, of

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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 changes of circumstances to the residency of the home. The co-childminder is now living in the premises and an aunt of this childminder has been living at this home since February 2005 and relevant checks for this person has not been completed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to improve mealtimes for children. She has since moved premises and has moved and improved her service by ensuring that children are able to sit together for meal times. This gives them wider opportunity to increase their social and communication skills.

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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): • ensure windows are kept safe when children are present. • Inform Ofsted without delay of any changes in people resident and ensure all required checks are submitted

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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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