Chew Magna Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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146979 Unique Reference Number 11 June 2007 Inspection date Roulla Xyrizos 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 1995. She lives and works with her husband who is also a registered childminder. The family live with their three adult children and one younger child who is in full time education. The family live in a house in the London borough of Barnet close to local transport routes and amenities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The first floor is used for sleeping purposes only. The childminder has a pet budgie which is kept in the office on the ground floor.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for a maximum of five children. She jointly minds with her husband, and together they may care for a maximum of 11 children at any one time. Currently they are jointly caring for 17 children between them, on a part time and full time basis. This includes children over eight years of age. Both childminders have joint responsibility for the childminding practice.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends local parks and toddler groups on a regular basis, and walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. 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 outstanding. Children thrive because the childminder follows highly effective procedures and practices which meet the children's physical, nutritional and health needs. The exceptional adult support and guidance helps children gain an excellent understanding of hygiene and a real desire to become increasingly independent in their personal care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has an excellent knowledge and understanding of the requirements for administering first aid and medication, and both she and her co-childminder take equal responsibility for ensuring that all records are kept appropriately. Children are protected from the risk of infection because the childminder is an excellent role model to the children on hygiene practice, such as washing her hands and using disposable gloves before and after each nappy change. This helps the children to develop a very good understanding of how to keep themselves healthy. The childminder also uses a spray that kills MRSA for use around the house and for hand washing. The childminder has completed relevant first aid training which ensures that children receive appropriate care if there is an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has an exceptional knowledge of nutrition and plans a varied menu for children which is both healthy and appetising. Lunch and snack times are very well balanced and take account of the individual and cultural needs of all children. A choice of fruit, vegetables and salad are provided on a daily basis, for example, tomato, cucumber, celery, pineapple, and grapes and strawberries was offered at lunch time. Children are able to talk about 'healthy' foods that 'make you grow,' and posters of healthy eating are displayed on the kitchen walls which children point to, discuss and indicate their choice of fruit, salad or vegetable for the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children thrive as they enjoy an extensive range of physical activities and have regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They regularly walk to and from school and have daily access to a very well-equipped garden where they use the trampoline, tricycles, large playhouse. seesaw and cars with high levels of skills and confidence. Children help themselves to easily accessible drinking water throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder offers very good supervision to ensure children are safe. Space within the home is very well organised and effectively meets the children's needs. The environment is very spacious, and children move around and play safely, freely and with confidence. All toys are easily accessible within the various 'play' rooms. The childminder ensures that daily checks take place to the premises and equipment, including the garden in order to ensure that children remain safe. The large play equipment in the garden is secure and well maintained ensuring it is suitable for children's use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children display a good understanding of keeping themselves safe. The childminder ensures that children take an active part in regular fire practice drills and the children describe how they must go to the font door whenever the smoke alarm is activated. Smoke alarms are in place in every room of the house.

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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 Children use a wide variety of good quality equipment appropriate to their age and stage of development. Toys and resources are stimulating, fun, interesting and provide good opportunities for challenge. Children interact well with each other and concentrate and focus on the activities. The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of child protection issues and the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect, but she is not clear about all the procedures that she is required to follow, for example Local Safeguarding Children's Board written procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Eating utensils are clean, safe, and appropriate to the ages and developmental stages of the children, although the childminder should ensure when serving food that it is of an appropriate and safe temperature, for example the pasta was very hot and was not left to cool before being served to the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy their time at the childminder's home because the childminder is highly skilled and provides high quality care. All children are happy and eager to participate. Children make excellent progress because the childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child. Close and caring relationships increase children's sense of trust and help them to develop a strong sense of self. Children delight in music and movement where they sing, dance and move to educational video tapes and music.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop excellent relationships with the childminder and with each other. There is very warm interaction and they are given excellent opportunities for group socialisation. for example at various toddler groups, the local activity centre at the local Police Club House, and trips to the library. The children also enjoy chasing bubbles from the bubble machine in the garden, taking turns on the trampoline and at role play activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is extremely skilled at planning a broad and varied range of stimulating and challenging activities based on children's interests and their stages of development. The children respond extremely well to the childminder's enthusiasm and motivation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder always strives for further improvement through self evaluation and reflective practice and has a very clear vision for her provision and a strong commitment to providing the best possible outcomes for all the children in her care. She wants to further extend on the wide and excellent range of activities provided for the children, for example by purchasing a 'ball pond' for the garden and undertaking Birth to three training.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's needs are met because the childminder has an excellent understanding of each child and their progress is monitored through records of their achievements in her care. She actively encourages children to stretch their physical skills by the excellent variety of outdoor activities in the rear garden. For example, she encourages children to 'reach out and catch' the bubbles and children enjoy stretching and jumping up trying to catch the bubbles, and encourages children to 'catch' and 'throw' soft balls.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's language and communication skills are extremely well supported because of the high quality adult-child interactions.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are welcomed and play a full part in the childminder's home, because the childminder values and respects their individuality and the family context for each child. The childminder works closely and cooperatively with parents, ensuring parents feel welcome in her home and by sharing information on a daily basis. An excellent partnership with parents contributes significantly to the children's well-being. Parents views about their child's needs and interests are actively sought before the child starts at the setting, because the childminder undertakes a home visit to each child's home in order to observe and record detailed information about the child's individual needs and preferences. This includes information about the children's ethnic origin, important people in the child's life, and particular comforter toys. For example, during rest and sleep time, each child has their own comforter toy in order to ensure that

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Helping children make a positive contribution

children feel safe, secure and comfortable.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents have access to the childminder's detailed written policies and procedures before the placement begins. Financial and care arrangements are agreed and confirmed through the use of written contracts to ensure continuity of care. The childminder encourages parents to accompany their children on outings and to stay with their children as part of the settling in procedure.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder ensures children’s inclusion by being aware of their individuality, age and stage of development and learning difficulties/disabilities. For example, she provides high quality care to children with disabilities and works in partnership with parents and outside agencies in order to provide consistent and appropriate care. Children with English as a second language benefit from the childminder's excellent approach, for example activities are undertaken that help children to understand, value and celebrate their similarities and differences. Resources and activities reflect positive images and include various dressing up clothes, books about different cultures, cooking activities, celebration of religious festivals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is a good role model; she treats children with respect and manages children’s behaviour in a calm, positive way. For example, the childminder explains to children about the importance of taking turns and not pushing when out in the garden. The children immediately respond, take turns and issue an apology. She uses distraction effectively with the children and behaviour within the setting is of a consistently high standard.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is enhanced because of the good quality of organisation. The childminder provides a warm and caring environment and children develop a good sense of belonging. She organises her time very well and works in partnership with parents and carers and outside agencies in order to provide continuity and good quality care for the children.

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Organisation

The childminder ensures that all adults living in her home are suitable to be in the proximity of children, and all areas of her home that are accessible to children are safe. The premises, both indoor and outdoor, are safe. Meal and snack times are healthy, fun, varied and nutritious. Although the childminder must ensure that food served is of a suitable and safe temperature.

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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 Children's welfare is very well supported because the childminder effectively manages all the required documentation, which is up to date, efficiently managed and stored securely. Her policies and procedures are up to date fully support her good childcare practice and the majority of her documentation is up to date. However, the childminder does not have a copy of the new Local Safeguarding Children's Board Procedures because they have not been devised by the London borough of Barnet.

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Organisation

The childminder has a very good understanding of the National Standards for Childminding and her responsibility to comply in order to provide a very good standard of care. Her home is organised to meet children's individual needs and the children are relaxed and at ease in her home. Kind and caring support and consistent routines enables the children to feel secure and safe in her care.

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Organisation

She supports children very well in their play which makes children feel cared for and valued.

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Organisation

The childminder is responsible for obtaining detailed information about the children in her care and organises her routine so that housework, cleaning and washing is undertaken at times when the minded children are not on the premises.

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Organisation

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, a recommendation was raised: to ensure the arrival and departure times of children are recorded. The childminder clearly records each child's arrival and departure times daily.

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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): • ensure hot food is allowed to cool before serving to children • ensure you understand the procedures to follow if there are child protection concerns

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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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