East Point Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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137134 Unique Reference Number 21 March 2007 Inspection date Elizabeth Ellen Mackey 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 registered in 1990. She lives with her husband and two children aged 18 and 15 years, in a house in West Wickham. It is within close proximity of local shops and transport links. The ground floor of the home, and the upstairs bathroom are available for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children. She is currently childminding nine children who all attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has a CACHE Diploma level 3 in Childcare.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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 outstanding. Children are very well protected by the childminder's commitment to maintaining rigorous hygiene routines. They learn the importance of keeping healthy as they wash their hands after toileting and before eating. They have access to hand wash and individual paper towels, which minimises the risk of cross infection. The childminder maintains an up-to-date first aid certificate and obtains detailed information about children's medical needs. Older children are encouraged to learn emergency procedures, for example practice of the recovery position and summoning help. This empowers the children and equips them with the necessary skills they may need in the event of an emergency. Effective systems for recording accidents are in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy the benefits of regular exercise and fresh air, because there are daily opportunities for outdoor and physical play. They enjoy daily walks, regularly visit the park and routinely attend local toddler groups. An extensive range of resources help to develop their physical skills. The childminder follows children's individual routines for sleeping and eating, this immensely contributes to their overall well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are aware of and understand why some foods are healthy and others are not. They involve themselves at mealtimes, contributing to the menu and helping to set the table. The childminder is highly aware of how to promote an understanding of healthy eating. A weekly menu ensures meals are varied, healthy, balanced and meet children's individual dietary requirements. Fresh vegetables and fruit are provided every day. Regular drinks of fresh drinking water and milk ensure children receive ample fluids to quench their thirst and remain hydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play in an extremely well organised environment. A designated play room ensures children are able to move freely whilst being well supervised during their play. Substantial safety checks are carried out as part of a comprehensive risk assessment to ensure the ongoing safety and suitability of the premises and resources. Well written policies underpin the childminder's safe practice, for example a clear outings policy and an uncollected/lost child policy. Appropriate equipment, such as safety gates and socket covers are used to minimise risks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn the importance of fire safety because they practice evacuation. Pictorial fire procedures are displayed to ensure evacuation procedures are clearly and quickly understood. Children are encouraged to take responsibility for themselves in keeping safe. They respect the boundaries in place and older children are mindful of the younger children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has comprehensive knowledge of child protection issues and has updated her policy in line with recent guidance. She is committed to safeguarding children and has completed the NSPCC training. She has also made parents aware of her responsibilities. This promotes and safeguards children’s welfare within the setting.

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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 outstanding. Children relish their time in a clean, exceptionally well organised child centred environment. They are extremely settled and confident, sharing a good sense of fun with the childminder. They show interest in the planned activities and are proud of their achievements, smiling and confidently showing their pictures. Children have good relationships with each other and share a warm established relationship with the childminder; frequently displaying affection towards her.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Activities are imaginatively linked, for example, a child brings a photograph of a frog he found in his garden to the childminder. She builds upon his interest by developing it further; she incorporates painting a picture of a frog, using models of the life cycle of a frog to identify the stages from a tadpole, and picture books of frogs into the activity. The child, is clearly delighted with this activity, he is excited and vocal. He is able to correctly identity through using the models the life stages from tadpole to frog. He joins the childminder, clapping his hands when she praises him. Activities are challenging purposeful and skilfully levelled to be suitable for the children of differing ages and abilities. This helps children to play, learn and realise their potential whilst in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Twice weekly visits to toddler groups and regular outings to local places of interest, such as the farm, library and the park significantly enhance children's learning and physical development. The childminder is creative in her activities, for example children enjoy local walks where they observe the activity in the community. Children attending after school learn a great deal through discussions and activities in which they all play a full part. They have excellent choices of activities and resources and are given choices of how they spend their time after school. Children have high levels of self-esteem. They are extremely relaxed, happy and secure in the childminder's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children learn about the wider world, as they engage with an extensive range of resources which reflect diversity in society. The environment and resources are rich with positive images of gender, disability and cultural diversity. The childminder encourages the children to learn about and respect one another enabling them to develop positive attitudes towards equality. Children learn about multi-cultural festivals and customs through discussions and purposeful activities. The childminder has a positive attitude to caring for children with learning difficulties, she attends relevant training to enable her to offer additional help in liaison with other professionals and parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is consistently good. Positive and age appropriate strategies, such as use of distraction, enable younger children to understand expected behaviour. Older children are involved with agreements about acceptable behaviour which encourages them to take responsibility for their actions. The childminder, in partnership with parents uses effective and consistent strategies to enable children to fully understand their boundaries. Children respond positively to this and to the praise and acknowledgement she consistently provides.

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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 Parents are exceedingly satisfied with the care their child receives. Excellent communication ensures parents are kept up to date with their child's daily achievements and care routines. Detailed agreements, which are regularly reviewed ensure comprehensive information regarding the children is obtained and kept up to date. The childminder provides flexible support to parents ensuring children receive consistent care. Parents comment positively on her 'professional, excellent service' and say she clearly cares for the children beyond the call of duty. They value how 'she respects each of the children, encouraging them to develop their self identity whilst promoting the different aspects of living in a multi-cultural society'. The childminder seeks parents views and uses a questionnaire for parents and children as one way

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Helping children make a positive contribution

of evaluating and continually improving her service.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit from the childminder's extensive knowledge of childcare, her long term experience and her commitment to updating her knowledge and skills. She has a CACHE level 3 in childcare and she has attended numerous training courses on various topics which include, Birth to three, Speech and language development, Domestic violence and Child protection.

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Organisation

Children flourish, because they are being extremely well cared for in a very well organised child centred environment, where activities are planned to build on children's knowledge and provide a focus for learning. The childminder is extremely enthusiastic and proactive in her approach to caring for children and working in partnership with their parents. As a result of this, children thrive in her extremely well-organised and relaxed childminding home.

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Organisation

Precise and comprehensive documentation underpins the childminder's practice and ensures parents are fully informed of the service provided and their child's progress. Overall, 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 no areas for improvement were identified.

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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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