Childminder in Islington

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY333557 Inspection date 05 July 2006 Inspector Jennifer Liverpool

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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 2006. She lives with her family which includes her adult son and six year old daughter in the Highbury West area within the London borough of Islington. The living room area is used for childminding. The garden is not used for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five all day. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group and takes children to the local park and physical activity centres. She is a

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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 member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a generally clean and reasonably organised environment. Their health and medical needs are mostly known, though not all relevant details have been obtained from parents in order to ensure that their health needs are fully met. Appropriate daily routines such as wiping down tables before and after use provides a satisfactory level of hygiene and the childminder's knowledge of food safety ensures that children's ready made meals are stored at a safe temperature. Children are made to feel comfortable and they receive good interaction from the childminder during nappy changing. With the exception of nappy changing routines, there are mostly suitable procedures in place to minimise the risk of cross-infection. The childminder maintains a current first aid certificate ensuring that her knowledge is up-to-date in the event of an accident. Children are well nourished as they are provided with ready made meals from home

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Helping children to be healthy

and a cooked light meal from the childminder during the early evenings. They receive varied and nutritious foods that meet with their dietary requirements. Children receive regular drinks to ensure that they do not get dehydrated or thirsty. They eat, rest and sleep according to their own physical needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have sufficient space to work, rest and play. They move freely and in safety around the home because the childminder has a secure understanding of safety issues and takes steps to minimise potential risks. Children benefit from a suitable range of safety measures, for example socket covers, stair gates and the safe storage of toxic substances. There is a satisfactory range of fire safety equipment in place; however the fire blanket is not kept where it can be easily reached in the event of a fire. There is a sufficient range of equipment that allows babies and children to sit and sleep in comfort and safety. Babies handle a fairly good range of developmentally appropriate toys and equipment that conform to safety standards and generally meet with their individual needs. However, there is a limited range of toys for children aged two to five years.

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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 are happy, and settled in the childminder's care. They feel secure through the developing partnership the childminder has with their parents. Children receive lots of warmth and affection. This supports their emotional well-being and gives them the confidence to explore their surroundings. The childminder follows babies' and young children's individual routines for eating and sleeping. This ensures continuity of care and contributes to their physical development. Babies and young children observe colourful art work and toys in their environment. They have some opportunities to handle play dough at toddler groups. Babies are beginning to discover movement of objects and sounds when shaking home-made sensory bottles. These opportunities help to develop babies' and young children's

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

sensory experiences. A good range of activities such as encouraging talk, repeating words, singing simple action and rhyme songs and labelling of objects help promote babies' and young children's language development. Babies' use facial expressions, hand gestures such as waving and clapping their hands to communicate their ideas and feelings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are known and met because the childminder looks after children according to their parents' wishes. This helps to reinforce children's sense of belonging. The childminder shares information with parents about children's general well-being and achievements on a daily basis and together they plan how to support children in their stage of development. Parents are generally kept informed about the childminder's service through discussions and a few written procedures. Although the childminder has obtained medication consents from parents, she has yet to obtain their consent for urgent medical treatment and taking children out on trips. Children are steadily helped to become aware of different races and cultures through a basic range of resources such as books, play people and skin tone coloured drawing paper. The childminder uses good strategies such as praise and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

encouragement to promote positive behaviour.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from being cared for in a warm and welcoming environment that enables them to settle well and feel secure. The childminder's friendly and relaxed approach helps children to develop confidence within their surroundings. The provision for toys and equipment is generally good and children can independently access toys that are set out for them on a daily basis. However, the range of toys for older children is limited. The organisation of children's care enables them to eat, sleep and rest according to their individual needs. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she 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 The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of the National Standards, which results in her providing appropriate care and an adequate range of activities for children's developmental needs. She generally keeps mandatory records that are required for the welfare and safe management of children. The childminder holds appropriate qualifications in childcare and education. She is committed to developing her knowledge of childcare and is currently attending courses.

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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 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): • improve hygiene procedures for nappy changing routine • provide a suitable range of toys and activities, in order to meet the developmental needs of children age from two to five years. Place fire blanket in an area of the kitchen where it can be easily reached • obtain written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical treatment or advice, and for when taking children out on trips.

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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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