Harwood Park Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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105796 Unique Reference Number 11 July 2006 Inspection date Michelle Niles 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 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 as a childminder since 1994. She lives with her husband and one daughter of school age. They live in a two bedroom ground floor flat in the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The home is within walking distance of transport links and local amenities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The areas used for childminding are the sitting room, large hallway, the kitchen and the bathroom. A communal garden located in the square in front of Mrs Palmer's home is available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

On the day of the inspection there were two children on roll.

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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 good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home, where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Children are encouraged to wash their hands before eating, after using the toilet and playing outdoors to reduce the risk of cross infection. Children are well protected from infection and ill health as the childminder follows good hygiene practices during her daily routine. The childminder holds a certificate in food hygiene.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of physical outdoor activities, which contribute to their good health. For example, going to the playgrounds where they can swing, climb and slide, or going into the communal garden where they can skip, play ball games and use wheeled toys. Children are well supported in achieving the next stage of their physical development because the childminder supports children's confidence in their physical abilities and their progression to the next level.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to learn about healthy eating, as the childminder has a good knowledge of children's dietary needs. Children's health is safe guarded as the childminder takes account of parent's individual requirements when planning meals and snacks. Children are provided with water, milk and juice throughout the day. Children enjoy their meals and eat with enthusiasm. Mealtimes are a sociable opportunity where good manners are encouraged.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a well maintained and safe environment with facilities to meet their individual needs. They are able to move around freely and safely because the childminder identifies and minimises risks. Children begin to learn about keeping them selves safe at home and while outdoors as the childminder gives high priority to ensuring children's safety. For example, children are taught not to touch plugs and to use only the cold tap. While outdoors they are taught the importance of ensuring the gate to the communal garden is closed behind them and how to cross the road safely. The childminder has an effective emergency evacuation procedure, which is practised with children on a regular basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children select from a range of good quality, safe toys and equipment. The childminder carefully monitors the toys to ensure they are safe and age appropriate for the child's stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's well being is safeguarded as the childminder understands her role and responsibility within the child protection procedures. There are effective systems in place to record children's welfare and the childminder has attended child protection training.

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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 outstanding. Children are happy and confident within the childminder's home as she has an excellent understanding of their individual needs. This is because the childminder has a comprehensive system for gathering information and communicating with parents. For example, before the minding begins the childminder completes a home visit. Parents complete on-going three monthly reviews where they comment on their child's care and identify where they would like to see their child progress in the future.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's developmental progress is exceptionally well supported, as the childminder provides an excellent range of both planned and spontaneous activities both within the home and outdoors. Children progress rapidly as the childminder focuses on the children's enjoyment and interests. She is careful to ensure children are provided with the correct level of support to enable them to achieve their goals. Children's personal interests are extended by the childminder as she takes an avid interest in what they do and say. The children's interactions with the childminder and her responses are of a very high quality. Children are listened to, they are confident, eager to participate and share events in their lives enthusiastically with the childminder who uses every opportunity to extend children's early learning abilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children benefit as the childminder works very well within the Birth to three matters framework. She carefully plans activities which will support children's development, stimulate their curiosity and she provides warm responses and comfort.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children settle well into the childminder's home as she ensures she has a full understanding of the child's individual needs before they begin. The childminder has an effective settling in procedure, which includes a visit to the child's home. Children are confident because the childminder provides plentiful and consistent praise for their achievements and behaviour. Their paintings, drawings and photographs are displayed on the walls reinforcing their sense of belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit as the childminder has a very good system for communicating with parents. For example, she maintains a written daily record which is passed between the childminder and the parents and once a week the childminder holds an 'open surgery' where parents can come and discuss their child with her. Alternatively they can request an appointment to see her. Parents are asked to complete three monthly reviews where they can comment on the level of care their child is receiving and identify the areas where they would like to see their child progress. However, the childminder does not yet have a complaints procedure in accordance with recent changes to the National Standards and regulations.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children begin to develop a positive understanding of the world around them as the childminder provides a range of multi-cultural resources. For example, dolls, small world figures and books. They learn about the local community and the world around them by going on regular outings to the playgrounds, One O'clock Clubs, museums, zoo and the Aquarium.

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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 Children are very well behaved and polite. They know what is expected of them because the childminder sets clear and consistent boundaries. Children learn to understand the difference between right and wrong as the childminder will explain to them why their behaviour is unacceptable and provide praise and encouragement when they behave well.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children enjoy the well organised and homely environment which has a good range of facilities to meet their individual needs. They select what they want to play with from a wide range of easily accessible toys and resources. Children feel secure because the childminder follows a daily routine which is adjusted according to their individual needs or preferences. They enjoy regular planned outings which ensure they encounter a good range of people, places and experiences. Children enjoy a balance between activities and rest periods, as the childminder plans their schedule according to their individual needs.

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Organisation

Children benefit as the childminder attends training to update her knowledge and understanding of children's development and well being. For example, Birth to three matters framework, behaviour management and Child Protection.

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Organisation

Children's welfare is safeguarded as all the required records are in place and stored securely.

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Organisation

Overall the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection it was recommended that the childminder devised a Sick Child Policy. This has now been incorporated into the contract.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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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Complaints 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

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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): • devise and implement a complaints procedure in accordance with recent changes to the National Standards and regulations.

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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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