Carlton Road Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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138751 Unique Reference Number 09 November 2006 Inspection date Maria Therese Conroy 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 satisfactory. 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 1997. She lives with her partner and two children age six and nine years in Ruislip in the London Borough of Hillingdon. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five on a part time basis and three children over five before and after school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is qualified to National Vocation Level 3 in Childminder Practice and is a member of an approved childminding network.

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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. The childminder provides opportunities for children to enjoy mealtimes and take an interest in healthy eating. They are given a good range of healthy and nutritious snacks and meals, including fish, meat and fresh vegetables. Children enjoy preparing their own meals such as pizza and help in laying and clearing the table. The childminder provides creative activities to re-enforce discussions on healthy eating, for example, a collage of a healthy dinner plate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which contribute to their good health. They visit the park regularly and use a variety of sit and ride toys in the garden and at toddler group. They regularly walk to and from school and enjoy dancing. Young babies are learning to roll and reach out for toys in the baby gym.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a clean and child friendly home, where good procedures are followed to protect children from illness and infection. For example, children have their own colour coded flannel and towel. Toys are cleaned regularly particularly the baby toys, which are stored separately and cleaned at the end of each day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder helps children to learn how to cross the road safely and the importance of stranger danger. This is supported with the use of resources such as puppets and story books. The childminder has good procedures in place in the event of emergency evacuation, this includes having the daily register easily accessible with all relevant emergency contact numbers available. However, the childminder does not practice the procedure on a regular basis. In addition cleaning fluid is accessible to children in the downstairs bathroom, which puts children's safety at risk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Toys and equipment are of good quality and are age appropriate, toys for older children are kept separate from those for younger children. Children have regular opportunities to play in the enclosed section of the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder understands her responsibilities in relation to child protection and shares these with parents. However, she is not up to date with child protection procedures and safeguarding children information. Therefore children's welfare is not fully promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled, they are familiar with the routine and the environment. They are supported and encouraged as they take part in a variety of activities to promote their all round development. Children learn to be independent as they self select toys and equipment

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 and help to tidy up. Children ask for specific activities, for example, a child asks to write and the childminder readily produces crayons, paper and a tray for her to lean on.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy one to one time with the childminder, when she sits on the floor and joins in with their play. Children smile and laugh out loud at the positive attention they receive. They become familiar with shapes as they build the train track and learn mathematical language, such as "same as", as they play with the cars.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are many opportunities for children to take part in creative activities such as sticking with a variety of materials and making crafts for festivals. For example, children carve a pumpkin for Halloween and design a glittery egg for Easter. Children are developing their fine motor skills as they cut with scissors and use crayons.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children of different ages are involved in the activities provided, such as when older children sit up at the table, younger children sit alongside them in a high chair as they enjoy the sounds and sensations of scrunching up paper.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are secure and benefit from the positive relationships between their parents and the childminder. Parents are welcomed into the childminder's home to share routines and care practices about their child. A daily diary is shared between the childminder and the parents, which details information such as food intake, behaviour and sleep. In addition the childminder sends parents photographs of their children taking part in activities. This allows them to be kept fully informed of their child's care throughout the day. The childminder has recently started to monitor children's developmental progress to allow her to plan for children's next steps.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Although parents are made aware of the complaints procedure they do not have easy access to the contact details of the regulator. Feedback from parents highlights they are extremely happy with the care provided, they particularly like the healthy diet provided, good discipline and the flexibility of the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about differences in the community through the use of good play materials including puzzles, craft materials and books. Children behave well as they are given lots of praise and attention throughout the day. Children are welcomed into the setting, they are valued and respected. The childminder knows the children well and relates children's home experiences to play activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has good time management skills. This means children benefit from the quality time she spends with them. She develops her knowledge and understanding of caring for young children by attending training courses. For example, she has attended 'Birth to three matters'

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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 training and is beginning to use the framework in her practice. In addition the childminder has gained a National Vocational Qualification in Childminder Practice at level 3.

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Organisation

The childminder cares for children according to parents wishes. There are written policies and procedures in place along with a daily diary which records children's care. The childminder informs parents of her conditions of registration, however, the registration certificate is not on display, which is a breach of the conditions of registration, therefore parents are not fully informed.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to obtain written parental consent prior to administering medication, this procedure is now in place, which means that children's welfare is promoted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the Nation 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 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 satisfactory. 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): • update knowledge of child protection procedures and safeguarding children information • make hazardous fluids inaccessible to children in the downstairs bathroom area and undertake regular fire evacuation practices • update the complaints procedure to ensure that parents have easy access to the details of the regulator.

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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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