Childminder in Islington

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY296404 Inspection date 24 May 2005 Inspector Gulnaz Hassan

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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 2004. She lives with her husband and three sons aged 21 months, 5 years and 8 years. They live in a two bedroom flat in the Corporation of London. All areas are available for childminding. The childminder currently cares for 4 children. The childminder is not registered to provide overnight care. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and she belongs to her local childminding Network.

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THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROVISION

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 outstanding. Children's special dietary and health needs are catered for sensitively by the childminder who ensures that children's menus are shared with parents and are healthy and balanced. Children enjoy meals that are freshly prepared and cooked by the childminder who has a very good knowledge and understanding of food and nutrition. Children enjoy helping the childminder prepare snacks and meals such as home made pizza. Children are learning to understand about the importance of good health and hygiene by the childminder who spends time demonstrating and explaining good practices as part of the children's routine. Children's health is positively promoted by the childminder who engages in very good health and hygiene practices.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are able to gain access to a wide range of resources and activities that promote learning, discovery, imagination and creativity, and positive interaction takes place which promotes children’s welfare and development and is appropriate to the age and development of the children looked after. Children's welfare and safety from harm is assured because the childminder's knowledge of child protection is good and she is aware of local child protection procedures. Children are looked after in a safe environment where risk from hazards is minimised as the childminder is aware of children's safety both inside and outside the home and she ensures that appropriate precautions are taken to ensure children's safety at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children's receive opportunities to learn and develop that are outstanding. Children participate in activities that are very well planned, exciting and very creative. Children's learning is encouraged by the childminder who incorporates Birth to Three Matters framework and the Early Learning Goals for the Foundation Stage into her planning. Children enjoy activities that meet their individual needs and extend their learning and that are drawn from the childminders observations and assessments of the children in her care.

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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 Children are developing a strong sense of self esteem and appreciation of each other through the experiences and activities offered by the childminder. Children are beginning to value each others culture and language as the childminder encourages bi-lingualism and acts as a very good role model valuing differences and diversity in the children she looks after. The range of play materials and resources promoting equal opportunities and anti- discriminatory practice are limited. Children are learning to share and to take turns, their behaviour is managed well by the childminder who supervises the young children closely and uses positive praise, distraction and sets reasonable boundaries that takes account of their age and level of understanding. Children benefit from the positive partnership that the childminder has with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's learning and development is shared with the parents on a daily basis using an exceptional range of profile books and daily diaries compiled by the childminder for each child.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder is meeting the needs for all children for whom she provides. Children are secure and settled in the childminder's well organised home. Children enjoy range and variety in the exceptional routines organised by the childminder who works very well using detailed weekly activity and operational plans. Children are achieving and developing excellently in all areas as the childminder makes good use of courses and training to develop her knowledge and understanding of childcare and early years education including birth to three matters. Children's welfare and health are safeguarded to an exceptional level and their parents are reassured by the detailed and comprehensive documentation, records, policies and procedures that she uses to support her service.

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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

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 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): • Extend the play materials and resources available to promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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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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