E-ACT Ilminster Avenue Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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137700 Unique Reference Number 23 November 2006 Inspection date Audrey Opal Ufot 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 1995. She lives with her husband and three school aged children in a house in North Wembley in the London borough of Brent. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children, after nursery school. The childminder walks to local nursery school to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder welcomes children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 environment is very clean and well maintained and as a result children’s good health is promoted. The childminder talks to the children about good hygiene practice as they independently wash their hands as soon as they come in from nursery school. The childminder has a sound knowledge of how children’s good health is sustained, for example she protects them from infectious diseases by ensuring that parents fully understand that sick children cannot be cared for. The childminder has established appropriate procedures for the administration of medication. She also has a method in place to record accidents and clear written consent is obtained from parents to seek any necessary emergency advice or treatment. The childminder has effective systems in place to gather information from parents regarding children’s dietary requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder shows that she respects parents' wishes when they provide their own children’s food. She ensures that the children’s lunch is warmed through thoroughly at the correct temperature. The childminder provides snacks that are healthy such as banana, apply and milk. Water is available to the children throughout their stay with the childminder. Children are encouraged to eat together at the dining table or comfortably on the floor. The childminder has recorded details of children's allergies, likes and dislikes to ensure their individual needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in regular physical play as they visit the local park where they use apparatus such as swing and climbing frame. The play resources in the garden provide sufficient challenge to the children. Children’s good health is further promoted as they walk to and from nursery.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are very at ease and feel at home because the childminder has made her home safe and secure enabling children to explore independently. The childminder has taken appropriate action to minimise risks in her home, so that children can play safely. She practises safe evacuation with the children in the event of an emergency. The available space is used effectively to meet children's different needs and ensure they are safe and comfortable. Children can safely access the plentiful range of toys and equipment. They are able to move around freely and independently selecting toys from the toy boxes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has established clear rules for safe use of large play equipment in the garden. She promotes children's awareness of keeping themselves safe. She introduces road safety awareness during the journey to and from school, showing children how to cross the road safely. She also ensures children hold hands and walk close by her when on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has up-to-date knowledge of procedures to be followed if allegations of child abuse are made. Information about the procedures to be followed if concerns are raised about the safety of a child is made available to parents. As a result, children's well-being is safeguarded.

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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 have fun as they play enthusiastically with a good range of toys and resources which fully promote their learning. Children are developing their mathematical thinking as the childminder asks questions and encourages them to count. For example, children can count from 1 to 10. They enjoy a secure, warm relationship with the childminder. As a result, they are happy, confident and motivated to learn. Children enjoy watching their favourite children’s television programme. They have good opportunities to practise their creative skills as they draw and do painting at nursery school.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing good self-help skills as they choose their own toys and resources independently. Their enjoyment and learning is enhanced by the childminder's involvement in their play. She participates in children's counting games to help them develop their imagination. Children are learning a lot of words and phrases. The childminder talks to them about what they are doing as they play. They are praised and acknowledged for their achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy and content because parents share information about their child's individual needs, interests and experiences with the childminder. Children's routines, developmental progress and activities are shared with parents daily.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well because the childminder provides consistent boundaries and offers a lot of praise and encouragement. They enjoy close and caring relationships with the childminder and her family and they clearly enjoy the time they spend together. Children make themselves at home and are developing self-esteem and confidence as they make choices and decisions in their play. Children are beginning to learn about other people as the childminder raises their awareness of cultural differences and varying needs. They are developing a positive image of themselves, their family and the wider community.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in an organised environment. The childminder has effective systems in place to support children's individual needs. She is flexible when planning which takes account of children’s interests. Daily routines are in place but are amended appropriately to respond to the different needs of the children.

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Organisation

All of the required documents and record keeping systems are in place and are stored safely. The childminder has established procedures for sharing information with parents on a daily basis. She has developed clear systems for ensuring parents understand her policies, responsibilities and overall child care practice, for example, those relating to child protection or behaviour management. She ensures they are aware of the procedure to follow if they wish to raise any concerns. Children are kept safe and their welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's good understanding of required policies and procedures regarding childcare.

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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 The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children now participate in a range of outdoor play as the childminder takes them to the local park and they have frequent access to the garden where they play on and with large play equipments. As a result the children's physical skill are enhanced.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there has been one complaint made to Ofsted that required the childminder to take action to meet the National Standards. The complaint related to National Standard 6: Safety, National Standard 8: Food and drink, and National Standard 12: Working in partnership with parents and carers. Concerns were raised over supervision of children, meeting individual children's dietary needs and the sharing of information with parents. Ofsted carried out unannounced visits and as a result actions were raised relating to National Standard 6 and National Standard 7. The childminder took appropriate steps to ensure that children are under her direct supervision at all times and that parents written permission is obtained before to administering medication to children. Ofsted was satisfied that by taking these steps the child minder remained qualified for registration.

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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): • ensure the fire blanket is suitably positioned in the kitchen according to the manufacturer's guidance

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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

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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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