Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY278222 Unique Reference Number 18 June 2007 Inspection date Pauline Nazarkardeh 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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and six children, one of whom is under eight years of age. The family live in a three bedroom house, in the London borough of Barnet. The ground floor, adult bedroom and bathroom of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed back garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five during school hours, and four children before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of an approved childminding network.

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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 having a wonderful time in the care of the childminder who places an equally strong emphasis on all areas of children's care, learning and welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning excellent hygiene practices; they know to wash their hands 'because they may have germs on them' and use disposable paper towels. Children's privacy is respected during nappy changing and the childminder wears protective clothing to prevent cross-infection. Record keeping for medication and accidents is of a very high standard. All the necessary parental consent is in place to seek emergency treatment and/or advice. Children receive suitable first aid treatment as the childminder ensures that her first aid certificate is maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary requirements are catered for and they are offered healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. They are able to sit comfortably in appropriate seats at the dining table. Children enjoy very sociable meal times as they sit and chat with the childminder and her family. They can access drinking water at all times from the water cooler in the kitchen.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical development is promoted through outdoor and indoor play. The childminder has a good range of toys and equipment, for example, a football net, push and pull-a-long toys. Children have daily walks and regular visits to local pre-school groups where alternative activities are available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a home where the childminder has taken effective action to reduce risks. For example, safety gates prevent unsupervised access to the stairs and kitchen, cleaning materials and knives are out of reach and the front door has a high lock. The childminder helps children learn about keeping safe as they discuss safety rules. For example, a walk with the community police officer helps the children to understand road safety. The childminder has taken very effective action to minimise any risk in relation to fire. Smoke detectors and fire blankets are in place and she worked with another childminder to create a pretend fire. They then practised evacuation with children with an emphasis on keeping calm and knowing what they should do and what the fire brigade will do. The childminder then had a discussion with the children about fire safety and about knowing what to do at home. As a result children know

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in clean premises using toys and equipment which are plentiful and in an excellent condition. The childminder takes care to ensure children play with toys which are suitable for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded as the childminder updates her knowledge and keeps abreast of current child protection procedures. She has a clear, up-to-date written policy that is shared with parents and reflects current local guidance.

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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 take part in a superb range of high quality activities, as a result they are extremely confident and happy with the childminder. There is constant positive interaction between them and the children's skills, learning and language are expanded through careful explanations, encouragement and praise. The childminder is particularly skilled at asking children open-ended questions which encourages them to think and to extend their communication skills. She has attended training on the Birth to three matters framework and the Foundation stage curriculum which supports children in their earliest years. As a result children are progressing, and plans are in place to provide for their future development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are making good progress in all areas of their development and they are very independent as they choose from the excellent range of resources that are well-organised and easily accessible to them. Resources promote learning and are enjoyed by the children. The children are engaged in purposeful play and are eager to join in activities. They particularly enjoy story time and imaginative play. They are developing their creativity and use their senses as they use paint, glue, make models out of beads and recyclable materials.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children enjoy many exciting trips out with the childminder which include being picked up from school in a Limousine to go to central London to see the Christmas lights and having tea with the Mayor. Children also have regular trips to child friendly settings such as the local parks, toddler groups and visits to local places of interest. This provides many exciting learning experiences for children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are well settled and comfortable in the care of the childminder. She recognises the importance of working in partnership with parents and carers. Information is shared verbally with parents on a daily basis, through the use of a digital camera and policies and procedures. This ensures children experience consistent care and parents are well-informed about their child's day in the care of the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are welcome in the childminder’s home; she has a positive attitude towards this area of childcare and is aware of current legislation. She meets the children's individual needs, ensures all children are respected and included in activities, and that they have the same opportunities as their peers.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children gain a positive image of themselves. They learn about the world in which they live as they play with a range of resources which reflect different cultures, gender and disability. For example, play people, dolls, dressing up clothes and puzzles reflect positive images and are used by the children on a regular basis. The children learn through practical activities about a variety of world religions and cultures, such as Diwali, Haka, national poetry week and Japanese Star Festival.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning to take turns and share. They are well behaved as the childminder provides consistent boundaries and offers lots of praise and encouragement. Children enjoy close relationships with the childminder and they learn to be respectful, caring and considerate towards each other. For example, the childminder explains to the older children how to play cooperatively with the baby.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder's home is a hive of activity, her husband and grown up children are often present during childminding hours and they are actively involved in the care of the children. Children enjoy the relaxed friendly environment and actively seek out the childminder's family, for example, for a hairdressing activity. The childminder is extremely well organised and she is very clear about her role and responsibility as a registered childminder. Children are having a wonderful time as she meets all of their individual needs with utmost kindness and care. The childminder is very knowledgeable about how children learn and develop and she provides a wonderfully rich learning environment in which they flourish.

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Organisation

Children benefit immensely because the childminder is enthusiastic and she continuously updates her knowledge of child care by attending many training courses, for example, Birth to three matters, child protection and Foundation Stage curriculum.

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Organisation

The childminder's comprehensive policies and procedures underpin the good standard of childcare delivered to the children and their families. All the necessary paperwork is stored confidentially and accurately maintained. Children are having an exciting time: they are very happy, busy and secure in the stimulating environment. 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 was asked to ensure that checks were carried out on all adult family members and that children were supervised at all times. Children are supervised now at all times when on outings with the childminder. She has also carried out checks on all adult household members. As a result children’s safety is ensured.

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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 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

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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