Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY242490 Unique Reference Number 10 August 2006 Inspection date Marcia Robinson Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2000. She lives with her partner, father, adult sister and her two school aged children in the NW1 area of Camden. A lounge and kitchen/diner are the main areas used for childminding. Children also have access to a small outdoor patio area. The family own a dog, cat, rabbit, guinea pig and two pet mice.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is not registered to provide overnight care. She currently cares for four children who attend various hours so there is never more than three children on the premises at any one time.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends local drop in groups and parks on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from being cared for in a warm and reasonably clean and tidy environment. Children's health care needs are generally well promoted through for example, appropriate nappy changing procedures and regular hand washing routines that are followed by the childminder and children. However, the pet care arrangements are not well maintained as their litter is accessible to children. As a result children's health care needs are at some risk.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's welfare in the event of an accident or sudden illness is mostly ensured with appropriate procedures in place for sick children, recording accidents and medication. The childminder keeps a well stocked first aid box but she does not hold an up to date first aid certificate. This may impact on the immediate treatment of a child in the event of an emergency.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a range of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks, which comply with their individual dietary requirements. For example, foods such as tuna pasta, rice & vegetables, fish fingers, fresh fruit and yogurts are provided by the childminder. Mealtimes are presented as social occasions, where the childminder sits and chats with the children to create a relaxed atmosphere. Children are offered regular drinks throughout the day to ensure they remain hydrated.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical development is actively promoted by the childminder who uses the garden and takes children out everyday to local parks, drop-ins and on regular walks in the fresh air.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from playing and resting in a generally well maintained environment, where space is sufficient to allow them to move around the home freely and play comfortably with toys. Children have access to a suitable selection of toys and resources, which are safe and checked regularly. However, the organisation of some of the resources makes it difficult for children to self select. For example, deep storage containers are used to store some toys and play materials. This makes it hard for younger children to reach their choice of resources comfortably.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are generally protected from harm as the childminder has taken some steps to reduce the risk of dangers and accidents to children. For example, a safety gate is used to prevent children unsupervised access to the staircase and electrical sockets are fitted with safety plug covers. Children are appropriately supervised when they play in the garden and while they are on outings the childminder teaches them about road safety. However, further steps to ensuring children's safety is required in the garden where one side of the fencing is broken and a trampoline is leaning up against the garden wall fence. As a result children's safety is not fully promoted.

p.3

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 Children's welfare and safety from harm is assured because the childminder's knowledge of child protection is satisfactory. She has completed child protection training and is aware of local child protection procedures. However, she has not ensured effective arrangements are in place for new adults living on the premises as they have not undergone criminal record checks. This puts children's safety at some risk.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well settled at the childminder's home, they relate well to each other and socialise with other children as they enjoy a variety of home and community based activities. The childminder has a good knowledge of local facilities and children are taken to local drop-in groups and the parks so that their social needs are met.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides a satisfactory selection of activities including for example, valuable story telling and song times, role play, games and a variety of art and craft activities such as junk modelling and painting. This helps to promote children's learning. Children have sufficient opportunities to listen and respond well to the childminder who appears caring and encouraging in her interaction with the them. For example, younger children are learning to talk and older children's vocabulary is encouraged by the childminder naming, describing and repeating words and sounds as she is listening, playing and talking with the children. Children benefit from having access to a suitable selection of toys and play materials. However, not all resources are organised to encourage children's ease of access and independence skills.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has identified her future training needs which includes new information contained in the Birth to Three Matters framework. This will enhance the care offered to young children.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a sound understanding of equality issues and provides children with a sufficient range of activities and resources to promote positive images of the wider world and increase children's understanding and awareness of diversity. For example, the childminder celebrates festivals such as Black history month, where the children dress up in different costumes so they learn about other cultures.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

No children with special needs currently attend. However, the aim is for inclusion although this will depend on the specific circumstances and take into account the impact on the other children attending. Children behave well and are happy and secure in the childminder's care. She has age-appropriate behaviour management strategies in place to promote positive behaviour. These are shared with parents to ensure continuity of care.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has established positive relationships with parents. She provides them with comprehensive information relating to the services she provides and they are given regular verbal reports on their child's well being and progress. One parent commented on how well

p.4

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 their child is cared and how the childminder ensures she keeps them well informed about their child's well being and progress.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care. The children feel at home and at ease with the satisfactorily organised environment. They were confident to express their wishes and initiate their own play and learning. The childminder has a sufficient understanding of the National Standards for Childminding. She has good support systems in place to help make the necessary improvements. This involves ensuring all new adults living on the premises complete the criminal record check, assessing risks and dangers to children in the outdoor play area, organising toys and play materials so children can access them more easily and completing up to date training in first aid.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder is committed to improving her practice and has completed some training to enhance her skills and knowledge. For example, she has completed training in food hygiene and child protection and is due to attend up to date training in child protection and first aid. In addition, the childminder reported that she is interested in raising her awareness of child care through attending Birth to three matters training.

p.5

Organisation

The children's welfare is supported as the childminder and parents have drawn up contracts which sets out the expectations of both parties and they regularly discuss information about the children's day. The childminder provides parents with a full range of written policies and procedures that detail information about the service she provides. This further supports the children's welfare. All required records and documents relating to childminding activities are organised and well maintained.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure a method of recording physical incidents is in place. A incident record book is now in place. The childminder was also asked to have available for the children an appropriate range of toys and play resources that promote positive cultural images and disability. This is now in place, which improves the organisation and the understanding of equality issues for the children in the childminder's care.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

p.5

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 complaint record may contain certain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.5

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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • assess the risks to children with particular regard to the broken fence and the safe storage of the trampoline in the garden • make sure that all new adults living on the premises, complete a criminal record check. • complete an appropriate first aid course, suitable for babies and young children and improve health and hygiene practises in the care of the pets • organise toys and resources to encourage and promote children's ease of access and independence skills.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6