Homefields Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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133258 Unique Reference Number 01 June 2007 Inspection date Tom Radcliffe 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 has been registered since 1998.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She lives with her husband and two adult children in a four-bedroom house located in the Tufnell Park area of the London borough of Islington. There are shops and parks within walking distance. The childminder uses the lounge, kitchen/diner and patio for childminding purposes. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She 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 good. The children thrive in a clean, well organised and tidy environment. Free movement is possible within the available spaces and so exploration and play has minimal risk to the children's wellbeing because the childminder keeps play areas clean and uncluttered which reduces the potential spread of infection and the risk of accidents. Written procedures are in place that also impact positively on the children's health and wellbeing for example those records concerned with the administration of medication and the recording of accidents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is promoted because of the childminder's approach to the provision of healthy meals and snacks. Children are encouraged to develop good eating habits both in the childminder's home and at the local childminder centre. An emphasis is placed upon fresh fruit and vegetables and the constant availability of fresh drinking water. The childminder is active in promoting a meaningful discussion and partnership with parents so that children's eating habits and preferences are taken into account when providing the children with a balanced and carefully thought out menu of meals and snacks. The childminder often engages the children in conversations about healthy food and lifestyles. The children are very active participants in such conversations.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children are very active within the childminder's home. They have access to a good range of outdoor play equipment to develop their physical skills. The space that the childminder provides is used very effectively to promote the physical development of the children. In addition the children are taken out daily to the local centre which offers the children a greater access to play equipment and other opportunities which contributes to the children's health and wellbeing.

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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 very good safe environment, where they have the use of the whole ground floor area. Space is organised with a great deal of thought to allow children to move freely. The patio area in particular gives the children an opportunity to enjoy outdoor play activities in a well managed area. The childminder provides careful supervision of the children so that they are not exposed to potential danger, for example a safety gate prevents children from going upstairs. Risk assessments have been undertaken throughout the premises to ensure that potential hazards are identified and minimised. Space also is made available for the children to have quiet time to read, play or rest. All of the children have developed or are developing a sense of safety as they use equipment or take part in other activities. The childminder takes many opportunities to talk to the children about how they can do things free from harm and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the children regularly walk to the local Childminder Centre in a safe well rehearsed way. In addition to the space that is currently available the childminder has made the garden suitable for use and hopes to use it in the near future for organised water activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are provided with a good range of play materials, these impact positively on the children's learning as they are age appropriate and used in a planned way. In addition the children are able to make good use of the resources that are available at the Centre which is visited regularly.

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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 The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues, for example recognising the signs and symptoms of possible abuse and how to proceed if she were to have any concerns. The childminder has made sure that all parents are familiar with her child protection policy. This promotes and safeguards children's welfare within the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children appear to be very happy and settled in the childminder's home, they are very communicative and are engaged by the many activities that are available to them. They relate very well with each other and with the childminder who herself is central to play and learning activities. Children readily initiate play by choosing their own resources and creating imaginary situations for example one boy took photographs of everyone for his album while another visited the cash machine to pay for some sandwiches which he had made in the play kitchen. The level of language development shown in these situations was very good, the children are very enthusiastic talkers and have the patience to listen to each other and share ideas about play and games. Other play is more adult initiated but this too, especially when supported by open ended questions, results in many worthwhile learning opportunities. For example the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder spoke to the children about different healthy vegetables, about their colours and what they would taste like. The children show signs of significant learning across all areas, for example they worked confidently with numbers and enjoyed listening and moving to music. The childminder ensures that activities are planned and resourced but she also takes as many opportunities as she can to work on things that spring from the children's interests.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children also value the activities that they undertake while at the local centre, they spoke about what they had done earlier that day, using construction material and play dough, and further added that they enjoyed meeting the other children when they were there. This helps them to develop social relations, develop new skills and have opportunities to access a wider range of play materials and equipment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are motivated and interested in a broad range of purposeful and developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor activities which provide good levels of age appropriate challenge.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children develop well with the childminder, their personal needs are met through the shared information between herself and the parents. A good partnership exists which results in them working together to meet each child's needs. Children are valued and respected as individuals and they play well together and play an active part in the setting. The children enjoy the choices that are available to them and this enables them to develop a positive awareness of themselves and those around them. Play resources are selected for the children to use that addresses issues of gender, race and disability. This is further developed through childminder led discussions and questions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good, they exist in caring and cooperative relationships. The childminder has ensured that she closely supervises this aspect of the children's development. The children receive simple explanations from the childminder in a calm positive way about issues such as sharing and turn taking. These consistent messages enable the children to manage their behaviour and to show respect for the needs of others.

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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 well with parents, this promotes children's wellbeing and development. The exchange of information between the childminder and the parents is good. Parents have the correct information about the setting, the childminder gains valuable knowledge about the children and the necessary policies and procedures are in place. For example the contract that exists between the childminder and the parents is exhaustive and contains amongst other things a complaints procedure and an equal opportunity policy.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder ensures that parents are kept well informed about children's progress and achievements and how they spend their time playing, learning and taking part in special events. She may wish to consider how she keeps this information and how she then shares it with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are happy, comfortable and settled within the surroundings because the childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment for them to be in. Children's care is enhanced by efficient and effective organisation. The childminder fully understands and follows the setting's comprehensive policies and procedures to protect children, promote their wellbeing and support all to develop their potential. The childminder works actively to follow the guidance and support of the Local Authority and the National Childminding Association. The local network of childminders at the Childminding Centre for example offers the children many valuable experiences from which they gain a great deal.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to continue to develop the resources and equipment to provide a variety of opportunities for children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has continued this development such that the level of equipment that is now available for children to use is both age and developmentally appropriate. It also promotes learning in many different areas. In addition the children have regular planned opportunities to visit the local Childminding Centre which gives the children even more choice and variety.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the 1 April 2004 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 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): • develop records of children's development to share with parents that show progress, achievement and experiences.

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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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