Blagdon Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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147286 Unique Reference Number 14 September 2006 Inspection date Deborah Wilkinson 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 who has been registered for many years lives with her husband in a residential area of NW2 in the London Borough of Barnet. The childminder works with an assistant and together they may care for a maximum of 6 children aged between 1 and 5 years at any one time. Currently there are eight children on roll who attend various sessions.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children do not go into the house at all, but play and are cared for in the purpose built, self contained premises at the end of the childminder's garden. Children also play in the fully enclosed garden. The group is conducted in Hebrew which is the first language of the children attending, the childminder and her assistant.

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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 well looked after. They are cared for in a clean, well organised environment with good measures in place to prevent the spread of infection. Their welfare is safeguarded by the recording of information about their medical needs and written consent from parents to obtain help in the case of a medical emergency is obtained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities to get fresh air and develop their co-ordination and physical skills. They enjoy playing in the garden where they use a variety of equipment including ride on toys, a small slide and a climbing frame. They participate in weekly music and dance sessions and join in a yoga class. When the weather is good they go for walks in the local neighbourhood.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have breakfast and lunch each day. The childminder keeps records of individual dietary requirements, meals are freshly prepared and children have access to drinks throughout the day. The childminder and her assistant sit with the children at lunch time giving gentle encouragement and practical help to any child who needs it. Parents are informed of what their child has eaten when they talk to the childminder at the end of each day, and there is a sample menu available.

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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 self contained building which provides room for them to play, rest and eat. The room is bright and welcoming, displays are made of children's work, and they are happy and comfortable in their surroundings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children use the space with confidence because the childminder has identified and minimised most of the risks in the room and the garden, however the thorns on a low growing rose bush pose a hazard to the children. Sleeping facilities are available with either mattresses or the sofa being used and after lunch all the children settle down to rest.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a selection of resources which are well maintained, appropriate and suitable for their ages. Much of the equipment is stored on low shelves or in containers enabling the children to reach it easily.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe when out as the childminder has appropriate procedures in place which include holding hands and talking to the children about road safety. There is a first aid box which is easily accessible and the childminder has a current first aid certificate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder understands her role and responsibilities with regard to child protection. She is aware of possible signs of abuse and knows the procedures to follow if she has any concerns.

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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 happy and comfortable in their environment. The playroom is organised to provide space for them to play, and children move around freely, they also use the large equipment in the garden and move between the inside and outside areas as they wish.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are building their confidence and self-esteem, when they are frequently praised by the childminder and her assistant. They are also starting to develop their independence. One comes inside to choose a football which he takes out into the garden, two others sit on beanbags looking at a book together. Some of the children sit at the table to do painting and they all listen to a story read by the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The relationship between the children, some of whom have only been attending since the start of September, and the childminder is very positive. She speaks or sings to them in a quiet way and quickly calms a child who becomes upset.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

During the sessions children are involved in a variety of activities. Some sessions are linked to the Jewish calendar and festivals. With the new year approaching, the children enjoy a story about a bee and then have a taste of honey. Sometimes parents may come and work with the children, maybe helping them to make Purim masks or Hanukkah candlesticks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy and settle well because the childminder provides effective care helped by the written records kept about the individual needs of each child. They benefit from the information shared between their parents and the childminder and regular feedback about the session keeps parents informed about their child's day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children who attend are Jewish and the philosophy of the group is to help them learn about Judaism through activities linked to the calendar and festivals. The children learn about the wider community and other cultures when the childminder shows them books and pictures. All children have equal access to the resources and are able to choose some of their own equipment which is accessible in low storage boxes or displayed on shelves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are learning to share and consider the others. They are helped by the childminder who uses positive language giving frequent praise and encouragement. The childminder and her assistant are good role models speaking to children politely and listening to their replies.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at home and comfortable in the well-organised environment. They are confident to initiate some of their own play and select activities.

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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 Children have access to the self contained unit and the garden. This helps develop their independence, giving them space to move and play comfortably. They make choices from the resources and there is provision if they want to rest. The way in which the childminder plans her daily sessions ensures the children enjoy a variety of activities.

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Organisation

The children's welfare and care are promoted by the childminder who keeps most of the required records and shares information daily with parents to keep them informed about her service and their child's activities. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care and the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

Currently the certificate of registration is not displayed for parents and the attendance record does not contain details of the assistant.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection notices of compliance were served to help the childminder develop her practice. These were in relation to notifying Ofsted about changes in staff and ensuring their suitability; improving the record keeping; completing a first aid course and obtaining the required parental consents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

These have now been met and children benefit from the systems now in place to keep them safe. The childminder completed a first aid course in May this year and has signed consent from parents for obtaining emergency medical treatment and for taking the children out. Ofsted has been notified about the change of assistant and there is a system for completing the required Criminal Record Bureau checks. There is a daily record of children's attendance which includes times they are present.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made 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 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):

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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 • display the certificate of registration • record the names of the assistants looking after the children and the times they are present • assess the risks to children in relation to the garden and take action to minimise these

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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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