Glapthorn Church of England Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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147256 Unique Reference Number 08 August 2006 Inspection date Jane Davenport 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 was registered in 1994. She lives with her 19 year old son and 17 year old daughter. They live in a first floor three bedroom flat in Whetstone in the London borough of Barnet. The whole of the premises, with the exception of the large bathroom, is used for childminding purposes.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight at any one time, and is currently minding two 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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a clean environment and learn, from an early age, the importance of good personal hygiene through effective daily routines. They are helped to understand that washing their hands after visiting the toilet and before eating helps prevent the spread of germs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a current first aid certificate, which means she can give appropriate care if there is an accident. She records accidents appropriately and parents give prior written consent to administer medication, which ensures that children receive the correct dosage according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder gathers all relevant information regarding diet, which ensures children's individual dietary requirements are met. Menus are varied, balanced and nutritious, providing healthy options such as fresh fruit and vegetables, wholemeal bread, yoghurts and pasta. Food provided by parents is appropriately stored and prepared. The childminder follows the child's home routine, gradually introducing new foods when appropriate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young children receive lots of warmth and affection. This supports their emotional well-being and gives them the confidence to explore new experiences. They participate in walks and outings in the fresh air, which contributes to their good health. The childminder has attended a course on the Birth to three matters framework and is beginning to use it in her work with younger children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a well-organised environment, which allows them to move around and play safely. The premises are secure and there are good procedures in place to monitor sleeping children and to ensure children are unable to leave the premises without a suitable adult.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have easy and safe access to some good quality toys and resources, including natural materials, which are stored at their level so that they can self select their activity. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Toys and activities are rotated to provide children with variety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are regular informal risk assessments both indoors and out, which enable the childminder to identify and quickly address potential hazards, and children benefit from a good range of safety measures including socket covers, window restrictors and smoke alarms. The childminder has developed an emergency evacuation plan which she practises with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Effective child protection procedures promote and safeguard children's welfare within the setting. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what action to take if she has concerns about a child in her care.

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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. Children settle well at the childminder's home. They enjoy a warm interaction with the childminder and are confident and happy with her routines. They have the opportunity to socialise with other children, are motivated and concentrate well at chosen activities. For example, a six year old minded child concentrates on making a very intricate Lego construction of a hotel for well over an hour. This is part of a follow up activity, as the child recently attended an outing to Lego Land in Windsor with his school and was inspired by some of the constructions he saw there. The childminder has purchased a new set of Lego and the child has picked a construction of a hotel from the ideas book that was included. He competently follows the instructions, which are in 16 stages and is supported and encouraged by the childminder. Language and mathematical development are supported well as they discuss how two smaller

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

bricks together make the same size as a larger one. The child is photographed with the finalised construction, which is an excellent way of encouraging and reinforcing children's achievements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a good range of activities that are stimulating and well balanced for all ages. They independently choose from a selection of well chosen resources, and their creative and imaginative development is encouraged through a variety of play and learning experiences such as art and craft, painting, play dough, listening to and playing music, stories and role play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a good understanding of equalities issues. Children are allowed to be themselves, their interests are encouraged and they are respected and valued as individuals. She endorses respect and consideration for others and answers children's questions honestly and positively. Children have access to some good quality resources and activities, which help them to develop their knowledge and understanding of the wider community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are good systems in place to support children who have learning difficulties or disabilities. The childminder is able to adapt activities for children with these needs, so they can experience a range of stimulating activities appropriate for their level of ability. Close liaison with parents and outside agencies ensures all children's needs are well planned for and met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is generally good; this is as a result of the childminder developing consistent methods for managing behaviour, which takes into account their age, level of understanding and maturity. Good behaviour is positively reinforced by means of praise and affirmation.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are friendly and supportive and parents are happy with the care provided. They are made to feel welcome in the childminder's home and are given daily feedback about their child's day. This helps to provide children with consistent care between home and the setting. The childminder does not currently have a complaints log in which to record parental concerns.

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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 childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children feel settled within the well organised environment, where they receive good adult support to help them feel secure and confident. They are confident to make demands on the childminder, in the knowledge that their requests will be appropriately met.

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Organisation

Record keeping is generally good. Registers are up to date and contain children's hours of attendance. Information kept about children is relevant and helps promote their welfare; regular informal discussions with parents and written feedback ensure continuity of care for the children. Comprehensive systems are in place to keep children safe and enable them to make progress.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to attending further childcare and development courses. This will help her to reflect, monitor and improve the current good quality of care offered to children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, it was recommended that the childminder devise and practise an emergency evacuation plan and that dangerous substances be made inaccessible to children. This referred to shampoos stored within children's reach in the bathroom. All such substances are now stored in the main bathroom, which is kept locked and children use the smaller cloakroom, which contains a toilet and sink. In addition, her emergency evacuation plan is now in place and has been practised. These improvements have had a positive impact on health and safety within the setting.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since April 2004.

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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): • keep a record of complaints relating to the national standards and any action taken.

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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 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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