Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY345594 Unique Reference Number 25 June 2007 Inspection date Helen Maria Steven 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 December 2006. She lives with her partner and 15 year old daughter in a four bedroom first floor maisonette which is arranged over three floors. The home is situated in Finsbury Park which is in the London Borough of Islington. The living room, two bedrooms, which are arranged as playrooms, and the kitchen are available for childminding purposes.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to look after a maximum of six children under the age of eight years; she currently has two children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has access to a garden but it is not for her exclusive use, however children are taken regularly to local parks and playgrounds for outside play. The family have a cat as a pet.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. For example, they independently access tissues and wipe their own noses. Windows are fitted with locks to reduce risk to minded children, but these locks do not enable the windows to be opened safely to provide ventilation when needed. The childminder’s appropriate procedures reduce the risk of cross infection, for example children have individual bedding. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate to enable her to effectively treat children in an emergency and has a fully equipped first aid box in place. However, she has not yet sought parental permission to enable her to seek emergency medical treatment in the event of an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s dietary needs are fully respected as the childminder has written information about these and works in partnership with parents. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet, they are able to make healthy food choices, some of which are provided by parents. They are offered drinking water throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities that contribute to their good health, for example regular visits to local parks and playgrounds. Young children are developing control of their bodies as they negotiate space within the home, run around, climb steps and move to the music.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move freely and safely around between three rooms of the childminder’s home making their own choices about their play. They are cared for in a welcoming environment and the good use of space and equipment enables the children freedom to access the resources themselves. They benefit from a good range of suitable and safe resources which meet the needs of the children in the childminder’s care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s safety is well promoted as the childminder identifies risks and ensures that they are removed. For example, safety gates are in place across the kitchen and stairs, a fire blanket is fitted in the kitchen and smoke alarms are positioned on each floor. Children are encouraged to learn how to negotiate steps safely supervised by the childminder. Children are protected from harm as the childminder understands her role with regards to child protection and feels able to put appropriate procedures in place when concerns are raised.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and relaxed in the childminder’s care and become increasingly confident in initiating their own play. They benefit from an interesting range of resources and experiences which support their learning. Resources are set out with care to attract children’s interest. Children choose books from the low-level shelving and sit closely with the childminder to read the stories, this enhances their vocabulary. Furthermore, their language is developed by the childminder’s constant commentating, questioning and conversations. Children enjoy music, they enthusiastically play along to favourite tunes with a variety of instruments which they shake and blow.

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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 enjoy the feel of rice as they sprinkle, pour and transfer the grains from spoons to containers. They experience the feel of the rice being poured into their hands and try to catch some as it passes through their fingers. They begin to understand mathematical language as the childminder introduces it into everyday play and routines. For example, she counts as they use the stairs and talks about her hands being bigger than theirs. Children giggle with delight as they watch toy cars whizzing down the spiral ramp on the garage, they prod, and twist and press the buttons to cause a reaction such as making the lift go up. Children’s knowledge of the community and their play opportunities are extended by regular trips to local parks and playgrounds.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are confident and self assured; they make their choices and decisions known to the childminder even when these are non verbal. The childminder provides an age appropriate range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children’s awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, younger children are introduced to different cultures via the range of reflective resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are met well as they follow their normal daily routine as discussed with their parents. Children are encouraged to show care and concern for each other and play together harmoniously. Children behave very well and respond to the childminder’s calm approach and praise.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are given verbal feedback daily about their child's activities; this contributes to continuity in the children’s care. There is a complaint’s procedure in place and the childminder is aware of the need to record appropriate information.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is enthusiastic and motivated to provide a good childminding service. Children feel at home and at ease in the well organised environment which means they are confident to initiate their own play and learning. Parents are informed about their children's activities, enabling them to contribute to the continuity of their child's care. Children’s time at the childminder’s is organised to incorporate both active and quiet times.

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Organisation

Most paperwork required to promote the welfare, care and learning of children is in place and is well organised. Her registration certificate is now displayed in the hallway during childminding hours so that it is available for parents to view. The children’s individual details are known to the childminder including their likes and dislikes. The childminder is developing a basic range of policies and procedures to support her child care practices, which she continues to review. The childminder has attended an introduction to childminding practice course and holds a valid first aid certificate. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements 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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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): • obtain parental consent for emergency medical treatment • restrict the windows, in rooms accessible to minded children, to open no more than 100mm, thus enabling the premises to be ventilated whilst maintaining children's safety.

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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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