Harris Science Academy East London

Inspection report for early years provision

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149431 Unique Reference Number 07 March 2007 Inspection date Susan Ennis 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 1988. She lives with her husband and two grown up children in Letchworth, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five all day and six children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has two rabbits and two Indian Runner ducks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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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 warm and comfortable home environment. Their health is effectively promoted as the childminder follows consistent procedures such as wearing gloves when changing nappies, cleaning areas used by the children on a daily basis and washing her hands after wiping children's noses. A verbally discussed 'Sick Children's Policy' protects children as it helps in preventing cross-infection. For example, when a child wakes displaying signs of conjunctivitis, the parent is immediately contacted and asked to collect the child. Children's immediate safety and welfare is maintained as the childminder obtains permission for emergency medical treatment and regularly updates her first aid training. Children understand simple, good health and hygiene practices because they are encouraged by the childminder to, for example, wash their hands before eating and after touching the family pets. When visiting the

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Helping children to be healthy

local farm wipes are used for cleaning the children's hands, together with discussions about germs and the affects of them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in a broad range of physical activities, contributing to their good health. They enjoy daily opportunities such as the walk to and from school, visits to the local park playing on the slide, the see saw or swings and visiting the local activity centre, developing their coordination and spatial awareness. During school holidays trips further a field include Woburn Safari Park and Fairland’s Valley in Stevenage broadening the children's experiences. Children's fine motor skills are encouraged through activities including drawing and small world play. Children's rest and sleep patterns are accommodated because the childminder is very aware of each child's individual needs having discussed their home routine with the parent. A child that doesn't settle in the travel cot sleeps in the pushchair enabling them to benefit from a sleep outside when the weather permits.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and their health is promoted due to the childminder's good understanding of healthy eating. Children are developing knowledge of healthy eating as the childminder encourages them in trying meals such as Chilli Con Carne and Spaghetti Bolognaise and fresh fruit is always available. Fresh juices are provided together with good quality ingredients. Children are able to choose what to have especially on Fridays as it is 'Fun Night'. The current favourite is chicken nuggets and smiley faces. Each child's individual dietary requirements are fully discussed with the parents, strictly adhered to and an accurate record maintained ensuring that their needs are met.

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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 welcoming, safe environment in which they are able to move around freely and independently. Their safety is promoted because the childminder has a competent understanding of this area and takes steps to minimise the hazards. Visual risk assessments of the premises and garden are constantly being carried out ensuring that, for example, there are no trailing wires and that sockets are covered or inaccessible to the children. The emergency evacuation procedure is displayed and regularly practised, developing the children's

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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 understanding of fire safety. Practises are held on different days of the week ensuring that all children experience the procedure and therefore learn what to do. Children are kept safe on outings as they all use the appropriate car seats and belts. Encouraging the children in learning about the new seat legislation, the childminder discusses the issue with the children, she measures them against the door frame and marks their height with sticky paper. After this the children are far more accepting of the rules imposed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about keeping themselves safe as they are encouraged to learn, for example, about road safety and that they need to hold hands when crossing roads. When walking home from school older children knowingly run to the next tree waiting for the childminder to give them permission to move on. When in the park children ask before moving from one piece of apparatus to the next, understanding the childminder's rule that 'If you can't see me, I can't see you.' Children are able to independently select activities from a good range of quality toys and equipment. Resources are checked on a weekly basis ensuring that they remain suitable for use. The childminder sensitively supervises the children's choices ensuring that they are both safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. For example, when picking up a handful of colouring pencils children are reminded to 'mind your eyes.'

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is effectively promoted because the childminder has an accurate understanding of the child protection procedures to follow, ensuring that the children are her main priority. She also has the appropriate contact numbers in place ensuring that any concerns are quickly reported protecting the children's further safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident, settled and interested in their play. They relate well to the childminder who extends their play and learning experiences by, for example, making good use of open ended questions such as ' What noise does it make?' and 'What is that animal?' when looking at a home made photo album of a trip to Woburn Abbey Safari park. The children respond by making the noise of a lion. When the book is finished one child asks the other 'Shall we look at it again?’, showing their interest and continuing enjoyment in the activity. Children can participate in all the activities because the childminder uses her broad knowledge of child development to adapt activities encouraging all to become involved. When drawing, the younger child is given finger crayons making it easier for them to hold, whilst the older child is given pencils that are more age and developmentally appropriate.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's development in all areas is actively promoted because the childminder uses her experienced knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and the Foundation Stage curriculum in planning activities to meet the children's individual developmental needs. Children's life experiences are stimulated by daily activities and events that happen often in the childminder's own home. For example, when two Indian Runner Ducks were brought home by the childminder's daughter the children became involved watching the eggs incubate, hatch and later feeding and holding the ducklings themselves. This whole experience was then recorded in a photo album for the children to relate to at a later stage.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 offered a varied and interesting range of activities such as experiments making volcanoes and growing grass heads from seeds planted in saw dust, small world resources including garages and cars and role play activities such as a play cleaning trolley with child size mops and brushes. When playing with a doll and toy car seat, the childminder extends the children's thinking and imagination skills by asking 'Where are you taking your baby today?' Children are able to freely choose what to play with often discussing their choice on the way back from school. Board games are the current favourite for after school, developing the children's turning taking skills and helping them understand that they don't always win.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder ensures that she is aware of each child's individual needs and meets them positively. Daily conversations ensure that parents are well informed about their child's development and care. The children show affection for the childminder, looking to her for security and praise when they have completed an activity or task or comfort when needed. For example, when a child is feeling tired they climb onto the childminder's lap with their accompanying soft toy and snuggle into her for a cuddle. Behaviour is generally good and is reinforced by the childminder's secure understanding of the importance of consistent and appropriate boundaries for all children. Strategies include distraction, reasoning and positive praise. When a child tries to throw a toy the childminder reminds the child by saying 'don't throw it please' and then distracts the child onto another activity. Children are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

beginning to understand the ground rules, for example, when getting ready for a drink, an older child pats the floor encouraging the younger child to sit down and wait nicely.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's understanding of the wider world and community they live in is mostly promoted by the childminder who provides resources and activities promoting our society, however the range is limited. Festivals such as Chinese New Year and Christmas are celebrated and discussed. The childminder has a broad range of experience in caring for children with behaviour difficulties and disabilities and is able to effectively care for all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's needs and welfare are soundly met because the childminder has a valued relationship with parents confirmed by positive feedback received from them. They are informed regarding the childminder's policies and procedures ensuring that the expectations of both parties are known and agreed upon. They are made aware of the Complaints Procedure at the start of the placement and are informed of who to contact should concerns arise.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is soundly organised, helping the children feel comfortable, relaxed and secure. They are supported by the childminder, often initiating their own play and learning with confidence and enthusiasm. The individual needs of all children are positively met by the childminder through her procedures and policies, ensuring that all relevant information is in place. The children's attendance is maintained, however it is not always documented on a daily basis, potentially leading to a misunderstanding with the parents.

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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 uses her varied child care knowledge to assist her in planning a safe, stimulating and caring environment for the children. She ensures that the children are offered a broad and interesting range of activities that all are encouraged to participate in. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that children's arrival and departure times are included on the daily attendance record. This is now in place, although further improvement is still required, hence a further recommendation has been imposed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to implement a system for recording concerns. The childminder is fully aware of the procedures to follow enabling her to ensure that the child is the main priority 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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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): • improve the range of resources to increase the children's understanding of the wider world • improve the recording of the children's daily attendence.

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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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