Childminder in Camden

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY287414 Inspection date 27 April 2005 Inspector Helen Maria Steven

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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 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 since September 2004, she is registered to care for 4 children under 8 years and currently has 3 children on roll. She lives with her partner and 4 children aged 7, 8,15 and 17 years in a 4 bedroom house in Somers Town. The ground floor of the home, which includes living room, dining room, kitchen and toilet is the area used for childminding. There is also an enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have three cats who have access to areas used by the children.

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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 The childminder has a good local knowledge and takes children to toddler groups and parks regularly, library, music. She is an active member of the South Camden Childminding Network and Somers Town Community Association. She also has experience of caring for children with special needs.

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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. They are developing an understanding of why they must wash their hands before eating and not put toys in their mouth after another child has, this reduces the risk of cross infection. Children are able to make healthy food choices and instigate snack times when they identify they are thirsty and hungry. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents to provide nutritious snacks and meals that appeal to the children and meet their dietary needs. The children are visibly excited to see the childminder's cats, who tend to keep themselves out of reach. The minder ensures that the garden is maintained free from faeces to protect the minded children. Children have free access to the adjacent garden which contributes to their good health, they develop control of their bodies by using wheeled toys. Regular trips to

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Helping children to be healthy

local parks, playgrounds and drop-ins improve children's physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children can move about the ground floor of the premises freely and safely. A possible safety or health hazard for children is present due to a hole in the garden wall which is accessible to minded children and could allow stray animals to enter. The childminder helps the children understand how to keep themselves safe and ensures that she supervises the children vigilantly both inside and out of the home. Children have access to a wide range of good quality play resources and equipment which the childminder cleans regularly and ensures is safe and appropriate for the children's age and stage of development. 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 very good understanding of issues surrounding child protection in line with local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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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. The children are well settled at the childminder's home, they relate well to each other and socialise with other children through regular attendance at local drop in groups. Children's independence is developed by having the ability to choose activities and resources, they spend their time purposefully and the resources in place support them in carrying out day to day activities by themselves, for example the children put a step by the sink to enable them to reach the soap, water and paper towels independently, the childminder was on hand to support them if necessary. The childminder is aware of the children's individual needs and plans activities to support children's development, for example the children currently find sharing difficult so the minder has duplicated favourite resources to enable parallel play and instigated a turn taking game offering praise when the children successfully give the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

toy to the other child. Children enjoy resources made from natural materials which are both set out separately and integrated with other resources for example, the buggies have bags on the back containing mirrors and keys. One child enjoyed using the different size tins and wooden spoons to make a variety of sounds. The childminder's awareness and implementation of the Birth to three matters framework promotes children's learning. Children are able to be creative with paints when they visit the local drop in groups. They enjoy impromptu songs inspired by things they are doing or observing during the day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good relationship with children's parents to enable her to gain knowledge of children's individual needs. Children are able to use keywords in their own language which is understood and acted upon by the childminder. The childminder's experience of caring for children with special needs benefits all the children in her care. The children's communication skills are developed as she the childminder uses Makaton in her everyday speech to support children's understanding. The children's social development is fostered well, children have the opportunity to relate to older members of the community when attending a community drop in and lunch club. Children's level of understanding and maturity is respected by the childminder when she manages their behaviour. She encourages good behaviour and is creative in her strategies to encourage children to play together harmoniously.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at ease in a well organised environment, they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder has ensured that she has written policies and procedures are in place, but as they are not individual to her she intends to develop them to reflect her specific practice. There is a written complaints policy available for parents, which includes a contact address for the regulator, the childminder will change the details to ensure that parents are able to contact the appropriate department directly. Parent's are well informed about their children's progress and activities enabling them to contribute to the continuity of their child's care, although planning of activities, observations of children's development and feedback to parents is verbal. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints since registration.

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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): • ensure that the hole in the garden wall is secured to prevent entry of stray animals or exit of small children

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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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