Three Counties Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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135141 Unique Reference Number 26 June 2006 Inspection date Helen Maria Steven Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 1997. She lives with her daughter aged 13 years, in the Ladbroke Grove area of the London borough of Westminster. The whole of the flat is used for childminding. There is no access to an outdoor area, however, children are regularly taken to the local park and communal playground. The family has no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five years, each day.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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. The childminder’s daily activities include local outings to parks and playgrounds to enable the children to participate in physical and outdoor play. Babies have space to walk around the furniture and access toys on different levels. Children’s dietary needs are met appropriately and the childminder works in partnership with parents to provide foods that meet the children's individual dietary needs. Children are offered drinks regularly and are held close when given their bottles.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s health is promoted appropriately, for example, children have their own bedding and flannels. The childminder has attended a first aid course and has a first aid box with appropriate contents for childminding. Children’s minor accidents are not currently recorded but details are shared with parents. There is a system for recording accidents, however, there have been no incidents recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children can move about the ground floor of the premises safely as the childminder has a safety gate across the kitchen to prevent children from accessing it when she is cooking. Children’s safety is promoted as the childminder has addressed hazards to reduce the risk of accidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can choose from a range of age appropriate play resources and equipment that the childminder ensures is clean, safe, and appropriate for the children's age and stage of development. Babies do not currently have access to a feeding chair to enable them to begin to feed themselves with finger food independently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 first aid certificate and has a sound understanding of issues surrounding child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s individual needs are known to the childminder to enable her to settle them into her home. This encourages the children to feel secure and confident. Children are able to socialise with other children through regular attendance at local drop-in groups. Babies feel secure as they are held close when they are bottle-fed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have the opportunity to make use of further resources such as creative activities when the childminder takes them to local drop in facilities. Children’s language development is supported by the minder’s use of stories, singing and commentating.

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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 Children who are settling into the childminder’s home are inundated with different resources given to them to play with, as the childminder endeavours to make them happy. Children have the opportunity to listen and dance to music with the childminder, however, the sessions are very brief. The childminder has yet to implement the Birth to three matters framework to develop the play opportunities for babies.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder is committed to developing positive relationships with parents to enable her to gain knowledge of their children's individual needs. This ensures that children feel secure and their regular routines are continued.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's social development is supported as they have the opportunity to relate to members of the community when attending local drop-in groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has not had direct experience of caring for children with special needs. However, she will ensure that she works in partnership with parents to promote the welfare of the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s behaviour is managed effectively by a range of age appropriate strategies. The childminder mainly uses distraction for new babies and praises their achievements.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the childminder’s reorganisation of her home which enables them to have more space to play and move around freely. The childminder has undertaken training courses to enable her to keep abreast of issues surrounding the care of children.

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Organisation

She has recording systems in place to promote the welfare and care of the children. However, the daily register is not completed as the children arrive and depart and contractual hours and not actual hours of attendance are recorded. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

The childminder's certificate of registration is clearly on display whilst she is minding to ensure that parents are clear of her conditions of registration.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that any person over 16 either living or regularly present in the household when children are being minded have been vetted, including a criminal records check, ensure that there is sufficient equipment available for the needs of the children and ensure that precautions are taken to prevent accidents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, to ensure the welfare of minded children, the childminder has improved her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and has ensured that persons over 16 either living or regularly present in the household obtained suitable checks.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 She has obtained appropriate sleeping provision for children to rest and sleep, but is yet to provide a feeding chair.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Low-level glass has been removed from the home and sharp knives are inaccessible to minded children to prevent accidents.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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): • ensure that accident records are maintained accurately to include minor incidents • develop the range of play opportunities and experiences for young children, for example, by implementing the Birth to three matters framework • complete daily attendance registers as children arrive and depart each day.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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