Stamford Hill Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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102112 Unique Reference Number 30 November 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two young children in a four bedroom house in the NW3 area of Camden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

A kitchen diner, through lounge and bedroom are the main areas used for childminding purposes.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There is a garden for children's outdoor play. Parliament Hill Fields and Hampstead Heath are also within walking distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for maximum of three children at any one time. She 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 a bright, very clean and well maintained home. They benefit from the good hygiene practice of the childminder and learn from an early age about the importance of hand washing and other aspects of personal care. Hygiene standards are good throughout and nappy changing arrangements are comfortable and well managed by the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well protected from the risk of infection because the childminder has a clear sickness policy and takes effective practical steps if a child becomes ill in her care. Well documented records are kept should any medication need to be administered. The childminder has recently renewed her First Aid qualification and describes very well the steps she would take in a medical emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder understands well the benefits of healthy eating and positively encourages parents to provide children with nutritious food. Children enjoy healthy snacks provided by the childminder who also ensures they have plenty to drink during the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from experiencing different aspects of outdoor play as part of their daily routine. The childminder understands well that exercise plays an important part in their development and ensures they enjoy a good range of physically challenging play opportunities at a nearby well equipped play park.

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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 safe and secure setting. They are able to explore their surroundings in comfort and with confidence because the childminder takes good practical precautions and supervises them well. All required safety equipment is in place and the childminder has further minimised risks to children by recently installing safety glass throughout the entire property. The garden is currently not used by children as improvement work is incomplete.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are encouraged to keep themselves and others safe by behaving in a considerate way. They are gently discouraged from any unsafe behaviour and learn how to deal with potential risks from an early age. Outings form a large part of the children's day and the good road safety practice described by the childminder helps ensure they are safe when out and about. Their overall welfare is positively safeguarded because the childminder has a thorough understanding of child protection issues and has voluntarily attended updated training. She has clear written procedures to follow and demonstrates a commitment to act in their immediate best interests if she has concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy using a range of safe, good quality age appropriate toys and equipment. Resources are made easily accessible which means they are able to freely choose what to play with.

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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 satisfactory. Children enjoy the relaxed and friendly atmosphere created by the childminder. They are familiar with their daily routines and are confident and well settled. The childminder demonstrates a growing understanding of how children learn and develop and provides them with a reasonable range of play opportunities. Parents are made aware that the majority of a child's day will be spent outside the home. They visit a range of drop in centres where they have lunch and socialise with other children. Visits to parks, soft play rooms and the local library also form part of children's activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

At home, children enjoy drawing, creating collages and having stories read to them. They play alongside each other in a mostly companionable way and are developing confidence in their own abilities. They are well supported by the childminder who watches and listens to them with interest and is always ready to provide warm comfort if a child becomes upset.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There is a satisfactory range of good quality early learning toys and equipment for children to enjoy.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with respect and their needs are well met by the childminder who liaises closely with parents to develop well organised routines. They benefit from a shared approach to the settling in process which helps them feel more secure when they finally separate from their parents. Children's progress is monitored well because the childminder records and shares information with parents on a regular basis. As well as having informal discussions with parents, the childminder records key events, takes photographs and keeps copies of children's work. These form part of a scrapbook which the childminder shows to parents on a regular basis.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have regular opportunities to learn about the wider world by visiting local drop in centres where they socialise with children from different backgrounds and use a range of diverse play materials. An improved range of non discriminatory toys in the childminder's home also helps children to acknowledge and value difference.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well integrated with the childminder's own family and are learning to share and co operate together. They are encouraged to show care and consideration towards each other and minor conflicts between children are handled sensitively by the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. There is ample combined space for children to play and somewhere comfortable for them to rest if they become tired. Areas used by children are bright and welcoming and resources are made easily accessible to children. They are able to eat their snacks in comfort because the childminder uses a child sized table and chairs and also has a high chair for younger children.

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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 benefit from the childminder's growing understanding of how children learn and develop. She is undertaking an NVQ3 qualification in early years childcare and also keeps herself professionally well informed by attending various training courses. These include advanced child protection, disability awareness and Birth to three matters. Record keeping arrangements have improved and accurate attendance records are kept. Documentation is stored securely.

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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

Following a requirement made at the last inspection, the childminder has improved her record keeping arrangements. All children's attendance is now recorded on a daily basis and records are made easily available for inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

It was also recommended the childminder improve the range of anti discriminatory resources. There are now books, play people, dolls and jigsaws to help broaden children's understanding of the wider world.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, there has been one complaint made to Ofsted that required the provider take action in order to meet the National Standards. This related to National Standard 2: Organisation. During an unannounced visit in August 2006, the childminder was found to be in breach of regulations because she had exceeded the number of children she was registered to care for. Ofsted was satisfied with the action she took to ensure numbers were not exceeded in the future and the childminder remained qualified for registration at the time the investigation was closed.

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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 work on improvements to the garden and patio area do not pose a safety risk to children

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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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