Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY222471 Unique Reference Number 05 October 2006 Inspection date Sandra Wickham 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 outstanding. 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 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged under 14 years, in Palmers Green, London borough of Enfield. Areas used for childminding are the ground floor front and back room, the kitchen and first floor toilet and wash facilities. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have two dogs. There are currently three children on roll of school age.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The children are cared for in a warm and welcoming home environment. The childminder helps children to gain an excellent understanding of hygiene and a real desire to become increasingly

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 independent in their personal care. For instance, children automatically washed their hands before having their tea and after using the toilet. The childminder ensures exceptional vigilance to extend discussion as to the reason why hand washing is important. This substantially reduces the risk of cross contamination, because children actively learn to protect themselves against the harmful effects of germs. Children are also familiar with the routine to maintain high standards of hygiene before food is served at the table, when the youngest child volunteers and tells the childminder she will clear the table and then gets a cloth from the kitchen sink to wipe the table.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has developed detailed, purposeful policies and procedures which she has devised in relation to health, hygiene, medication and illness. Clear procedures are in place for children who are unwell and to safeguard the good health of other children attending. Children receive appropriate first aid because the childminder is maintaining her first aid skills through regular training and actively monitors her supply of first aid supplies. The childminder also maintains an accident book in accordance with registration requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children are encouraged to develop a good healthy lifestyle because the childminder provides healthy snacks and meals and promotes children's knowledge and understanding of nutritional issues through discussion, activities and posters on display. In addition children are provided with healthy diet food options, as they enjoy cooked food from fresh ingredients. Children are always encouraged to eat fresh fruit which is readily available. The childminder meets specific dietary needs within the varied menu available to the children and respects parental wishes and preferences. The children always sit at the table to eat together, and learn good manners and social rules saying please and thank you where appropriate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy having access to a varied and stimulating range of activities and resources that contributes to their good health. The childminder has a robust understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. The childminder has a thorough understanding of appropriate types of activities and levels of support for each child. This helps to support children's confidence and try out new skills, to enable them to set their own limits. Children have daily opportunities to play in the child-orientated garden all year round, which is well equipped and helps develop children's physical competences.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a safe, secure and welcoming home environment. The space is organised in a creative manner to aid children to access toys independently and safely. There are dedicated play rooms which ensures children's needs are paramount and provides parents with a valuable source of information. For instance, certificates and procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency assure parents their children are in safe hands. Children have a clear understanding of the areas to which they have free access, and those which they need the childminder's permission to access, for example use of the upstairs toilet and bathroom.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The resources are maintained to a good state of repair. Children move around and play safely because the childminder has identified and minimised risks. Children actively learn to keep themselves safe because the childminder has clear rules and routines in order to maintain their

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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 safety inside and outside the home. Children are given gentle reminders about walking over toys in case they hurt themselves. Children are transported in age-appropriate restraints in the car when travelling and know to listen to the childminder when walking along the roadside. Children are very safe with the childminder as she has a robust knowledge and understanding of child protection in line with the procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children thrive in the friendly family atmosphere. Children make themselves at home, demonstrating a real sense of belonging, which the childminder reinforces by providing children with their own area for storing their belongings. Giving children a real sense of ownership of their environment. Children relate very well to each other and socialise with other school children . Children spend their time purposefully, enjoying and exploring a wide range of activities which supports their individual style of uniqueness to be creative and expressive in their own way. Such as using their imagination to design their own pattern on their special T-shirts with the fabric pens.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children's needs are paramount and the childminder ensures they are provided with a balanced programme of activities that incorporates their independence. The childminder has an excellent understanding of child development rooted in a sound knowledge of children's development. The childminder effectively uses her training in childcare and her constant commitment to update training to enhance her practice. This supports the provision of high quality care to all the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children take an active part in leading their own play and learning. For instance, children freely select resources from a very good range of books, construction activities, arts and crafts activities which they greatly enjoy. Exceptional interaction by the childminder and excellent use of open-ended questioning enables the maintenance of interest and opportunities to challenge children in extending their learning experiences. For instance, children talked about collecting the range of nature posters displayed on the world, and talked about the names of the birds they recognised.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children have a strong awareness and understanding of others, because the childminder actively develops opportunities for children to mix with others from a diverse range of backgrounds on a daily basis. The childminder arranges for the children to attend focus themed coffee mornings to extend and develop their view of their local community, and actively strives to keep her service accessible to all. The childminder provides an extensive range of resources and activities to promote a positive view of the wider world. This means that children establish a robust understanding of their local community as they travel to and from pre-school, visit parks, libraries and toddler groups and other local amenities.

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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 highly valued and respected as individuals and are fully included in all activities. They sit together round the dining table to eat meals. Children are highly confident individuals. They have positive levels of self-esteem and respect the opinions and actions of others because the childminder consistently praises their efforts. She reaffirms their achievements, guiding their social and moral values. Children demonstrate high levels of understanding, about being responsible and know to inform the childminder before going upstairs to access the toilet. Children are encouraged to play together cooperatively, sharing, taking turns and assisting one another.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's needs are effectively being met through the daily routine and planning as discussed with their parents. The childminder ensures parents actively contribute towards their children's learning and development because they remain fully informed of the daily activities at all times. Daily discussion about the service provided keeps the parents informed about their child's activities and maintains a detailed written diary system for all children, in addition to individual profiles of attainment to monitor progression. Parents are positively encouraged to make their own contributions and to share their views on their children's developmental and care needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children feel at home and comfortable in the well organised environment. Children freely participate in the activities available with great enthusiasm, initiating their own play and learning. The childminder has a distinctive professional approach to her childminding practice, and implements detailed written policies and procedures. This effectively promotes the welfare, care and learning of all children. Documentation is reviewed regularly and changes made where necessary. The childminder is very committed and frequently updates her training to maintain up to date knowledge of child care practice and legislative guidance. Through accessing courses and childcare literature by the local authority and other sources to continue to improve her knowledge. The childminder offers children excellent opportunities which are rooted in a sound knowledge of childcare and development. This ensures continuity of care for the children, which

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Organisation

is supported with comprehensive planning systems to keep children safe and enable them to make good progress in all areas of their development. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to ensure low-level glass panels were made safe or inaccessible. The childminder has developed her systems for carrying out risk assessments of areas that will be accessible to safeguard children's welfare at all times.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take 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 complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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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

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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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