Leys Farm Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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117771 Unique Reference Number 19 December 2006 Inspection date Daphne Prescott 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 1997. She lives with her husband and two children aged 14 and 16 years in Hanwell in the London borough of Ealing. Part 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five. The childminder is currently working with an assistant.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parents and toddler group. The family has no pets.

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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. Younger children are cared for in a warm and welcoming family home. Their health is well promoted as the childminder sustains a good level of cleanliness throughout her home. Younger children are learning the routines for good hygiene practices, such as, washing hands before and after meal times and after using the toilet. They are protected from unnecessary illness as they do not attend if they are unwell. Younger children are safeguarded by the childminder's good understanding of emergency first aid and procedures in place to record any accidents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet as the childminder prepares healthy snacks, such as fresh fruit. At the request of the childminder parents provide their children's meals. She discusses all dietary needs and food preferences with parents, which means that all children's individual needs are taken into account. They can independently access drinking water throughout the day, as they have their own individual drinking beakers.

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Helping children to be healthy

They enjoy a range of activities which contribute to their good health. Each day there are outdoor activities such as walks, visits to the park and to toddler groups or playing in the garden. Garden play and regular visits to the park improve children's physical skills and they benefit from plenty of fresh air.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home is welcoming for children. Space has been organised to help children to explore independently and to rest, eat and play comfortably. Younger children independently select activities from a wide range of resources. The equipment and toys are in good condition and clean and are checked regularly by the childminder to ensure they are safe for the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

They are cared for in a child focused environment where risks are identified and reduced to safeguard the children. There is a fire blanket in the kitchen and a smoke alarm on the ground floor of the house. However, there is no smoke alarm on the first floor, which would help towards keeping children safe. Emergency escape plans have been devised and practised with the children to ensure that they can be evacuated quickly from the premises, which helps towards protecting children. They learn how to keep safe on the road as the childminder teaches the children to cross roads safely. The childminder uses her car for childminding and parents are informed. However, the childminder has not requested written consent from parents to transport children in a vehicle which would help towards safeguarding children further.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is protected through the childminder’s good understanding of her role and responsibility in child protection. She is aware of the indicators of abuse and the procedures for reporting any concerns.

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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. The interaction between the childminder and younger children is very warm and affectionate. They enjoy being with the childminder, they receive lots of attention and cuddles and have a good sense of belonging as they settle well. Younger children are gaining independence and self confidence because the childminder encourages them to make choices and explore their toys. For example, toys are laid on the floor, inviting and enticing them to play. They squeal with delight and smile when the childminder plays with them and relish in the attention given.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children have lots of fun and play enthusiastically with a good range of toys and resources, which fully promote their learning. They are beginning to make early attempts at finding their voice, they make sounds to make contact as they gurgle and respond to the childminder's voice as she sings to them. They wiggle their toes and smile as the childminder responds to their facial expressions by chatting to them. She encourages them to begin to talk and to play imaginatively when using the toy telephone. They gurgle as they try to talk on the telephone. They are developing their senses as the childminder provides feely books to encourage them to touch with their fingers. They look at themselves in the mirror as the childminder repeats their name, helping them to begin to understand their identity. Younger children are beginning to develop social skills as they gain attention in variety of ways, by

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

inclining their head and making eye contact as the childminder responds to their needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They enjoy regular outings to child-friendly settings such as parent and toddler groups. This gives them opportunities to explore new activities and enjoy relationships with the other children. The childminder understands the importance of providing activities to support younger children in their learning and development. However, this could be further enhanced by working in line with the framework Birth to three matters to support children in their earliest years.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Younger children are happy at the childminder's home. They are valued and their individual needs are met because the childminder spends time getting to know them well. The childminder talks about what each of the children like to do, and their routines and sleeping preferences. They are clearly happy and fond of the childminder, and turn to her for both comfort and play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses age-appropriate and positive strategies to manage any difficulties that may arise, such as, distraction techniques to engage children in other activities. They are developing a positive self-image of themselves as the childminder offers praise and encouragement in their daily activities. For example, she gives the children plenty of encouragement and praise when they have done something well. Through the variety of toys and resources provided, children are developing a positive view of the wider world; such as, children have access to a variety of books and dolls that represent people of different cultures and with varying needs. Children with special needs are welcome in the childminder’s home as she has a positive attitude towards this area of childcare.

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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 The childminder works in partnership with parents; this contributes significantly to children's wellbeing. The childminder ensures that parents know how their children are progressing and developing. Information is shared verbally with parents on a daily basis. Most of the required documentation is shared with parents and children receive the appropriate care as the childminder discusses and records individual care arrangements with parents. Clear information is made available to them about the childminder's approach to aspects of children's care which provides appropriate information for parents. However, there is no method in place to record complaints.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel comfortable and at ease within the childminders home environment. The home is organised to allow children the freedom to explore and move safely. They are happy and confident as they receive lots of warm individual attention to promote their emotional wellbeing. The childminder organises the day to include a variety of indoor play activities and physical exercise outdoors. This helps to ensure the progress of children's individual development and learning.

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Organisation

Through her frequent attendance on training courses, the childminder is enhancing her skills and knowledge of a variety of childcare related topics. For example, the childminder has attended training on child development. As a result, the children's experiences in the care of the childminder remain positive and in-line with current good practice.

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Organisation

The childminder has in place most of the required documentation which is used effectively to support the wellbeing of the children. Younger children enjoy their time they spend with the childminder as she has knowledge and understanding of caring for children and she meets their welfare and care needs effectively. 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 agreed to clear unwanted items in the garden and provide toys that promote positive images of people with disabilities.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The unwanted items have been removed from the garden which helps towards ensuring children's safety when playing outside. The childminder has improved her range of toys that promote positive images of people with disabilities, which helps towards children understanding the varying needs of others.

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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 then 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 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 that you have parents written consent for transporting children in a vehicle • provide a smoke alarm at every level of the house • enhance children's development in line with the Birth to three matters framework to support children in their earliest years • provide and maintain a complaints log.

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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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