Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY222632 Unique Reference Number 28 September 2006 Inspection date Chris Banks 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 2002. She lives in a house with her husband and five children aged between four and 14 years in the NW7 area of Barnet.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

A specially designated ground floor playroom and fully enclosed garden are the only areas used for childminding purposes. Children are also taken out to local parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She works with an assistant and is currently caring for five children on a part time basis. The childminder is not registered to provide overnight care.

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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 cared for in bright, well maintained surroundings. From an early age they are encouraged to learn about the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They wash their hands before snacks and after toileting which reduces the risk of infection. Children are further protected because the childminder has a clear sickness policy and takes effective practical steps if they become ill in her care. The childminder holds a valid First Aid certificate which means she is well prepared in the event of an accident or emergency. Following a requirement made at the last inspection, there is also written permission to seek emergency medical treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Snack time is a very sociable occasion and one which children greatly enjoy. Parents are encouraged to provide enjoyable and nutritious food for mid morning when the childminder and her assistant bring the small group together. In addition to the drinks provided by parents, water or juice is also made available to children throughout the morning which keeps them well hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are active and they are encouraged to develop their physical skills by using a reasonably good range of outdoor play equipment and wheeled toys. Indoors, they enjoy dancing to traditional music.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a well maintained, secure home and are vigilantly supervised by the childminder and her assistant.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use the specially designated playroom in safety and comfort because the childminder minimises risks and takes good safety precautions to protect them both indoors and outdoors. Areas are checked before children arrive and equipment scrutinised for safety. Play resources are, in the main, easily accessible to children which means they are able to help themselves from a good selection of early learning toys and equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of food safety issues and freely gives advice to parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The overall welfare of children is safeguarded because the childminder has a clear understanding of her role and responsibility in child protection matters. She is fully aware of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child and is alert to any signs and symptoms. She has also improved her own practice and follows procedures to ensure childminding assistants are formally checked for suitability. This involves undergoing a criminal records check and means children are better protected.

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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 enjoy the morning which is structured to provide them with a good balance of free play and organised activities. They benefit from the caring approach of the childminder who interacts well with children whilst quietly congratulating them on their achievements. The reasonably well equipped garden provides children with opportunities to extend themselves physically and in good weather it is well used.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

During part of the morning, when the emphasise is on group activities, children are strongly encouraged to take part. Dancing to music is a regular feature of each day and most new children are familiar with routines and join in enthusiastically. If however, they become restless, they are able to leave the group and play freely. The playroom is well equipped and children enjoy imaginative play in the small house and kitchen area. Children also comfortably play on the floor with giant jigsaw puzzles and enjoy looking at books which are easily accessible.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with respect and their backgrounds are positively valued by the childminder. They feel secure because the childminder has developed good relationships with parents and quickly becomes familiar with each new child's individual needs. Children are greeted with warmth and enjoy the many compliments paid to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children who attend are part of the Jewish community. The philosophy of the childminder is to introduce children to Judaism through play activities, prayers and festivals. These are incorporated into daily routines which new children are now becoming quite familiar with.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

New children are mostly very well settled and parents are given reassurance and guidance about options for settling children who are less confident.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning to consider others and to share. They have good role models in the childminder and assistant who speak to them politely and praise them for their efforts. Older children co-operate well in helping to keep the playroom tidy and enjoy sorting and replacing toys.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Space is sufficient for the number of children the childminder is registered to care for. Children enjoy using the specially designated playroom and use space with confidence. The room is reasonably well organised but does not have anywhere comfortable for children who are tired or unwell to rest. If these circumstances arise, children normally sleep in a buggy in the hallway which is some distance away from the playroom.

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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 are better protected because the childminder follows the proper procedure to ensure childminding assistants are formally checked for suitability by undergoing a criminal records check. This was a requirement made at the last inspection.

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Organisation

Documentation relating to childminding activities is suitably stored and the childminder is aware of confidentiality issues.

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Organisation

The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder had not instigated checks to ensure assistants are suitable to work with children. She is now following the legal requirement to ensure childminding assistants are formally approved by undergoing checks carried out by the Criminal Records Bureau. This better protects children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The requirement to ensure parents give written permission for the childminder to seek emergency medical treatment or advice has also be addressed. This means the childminder can respond to any emergency and seek treatment if a child become ill or injured in her care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to taken any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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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 certain 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): • ensure children have a comfortable area in the playroom to rest and relax.

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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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