Cleves Cross Primary and Nursery School Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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140324 Unique Reference Number 19 July 2007 Inspection date Philippa Clare Williams 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, two adult sons, daughter-in-law and grandson aged four months in Wood Green in the London borough of Haringey. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom are used for childminding purposes. There is fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder's daughter in law is also a registered childminder and together they are registered to care for a maximum of ten children. When working alone the maximum is six children. The childminder's daughter-in-law is not currently actively childminding. The childminder currently has three children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of National Childminding Association's 'Children come first' network group.

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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's health is promoted well because the childminder implements appropriate procedures. For example, effective cleaning procedures used maintains the high standards of cleanliness throughout the home. Younger children receive support when they are ready to be toilet-trained because the childminder discusses the timing with their parents, encourages children to tell her when they want to try and provides lots of praise.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive good care in the event of an accident because the childminder maintains a first aid certificate, has a fully stocked first aid box at hand and keeps accurate records of any accidents that occur, ensuring that these are signed by parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected by the satisfactory hygiene practices in place. For example, children are encouraged to remove their outdoor shoes, and to wash their hands with liquid soap and warm water before eating. There are times, however when hygiene procedures do not always protect children's health, for example children are encouraged to just rinse their hands under the cold water tap in the garden after using the toilet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eat healthily because the childminder provides healthy balanced meals and snacks. For example, children enjoy a morning snack of fresh strawberries, grapes, apples and bananas and spaghetti and a yogurt for their lunchtime meal. They have access to water at all times and the childminder reminds them to drink water as it is good for them. She keeps careful records of children's dietary needs and consults these in order to ensure that children only receive appropriate food.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing their physical skills daily, owing to the good range of activities and opportunities the childminder provides. For example, children use a trampoline, trikes and a slide in the garden to enable them to develop their large muscle skills and self-confidence. The childminder also provides a good range of physical activities outside the home including the attendance at a music and movement group called 'Hop, Skip and Jump', local childminder groups and trips to the local park. This enables children to develop both small and large muscle skills and supports their growing confidence in their physical abilities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. A warm and welcoming home is provided for children who move around freely using the available space well. Children feel a sense of belonging as their photographs and art work are displayed. Children have easy access to a wide range of toys and equipment that are of good quality and are regularly risk assessed. For example, play resources are kept in transparent boxes and drawers in order for children to be able to see what is available to them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder places high priority on safe supervision and assesses risks effectively to promote children's safety and enjoyment. For example, she uses a comprehensive safety check list and ensures children are in her sight at all times. Fire safety equipment is available within the home, such as a fire blanket and smoke alarms on all floors. Children learn how to protect themselves in an emergency because they practise the evacuation procedures regularly. The risk of accidents is minimised by consistently reinforced safety rules. For example, she reminds children to blow their dinner before eating as it is hot, she encourages the children to tidy up toys to prevent

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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 trip hazards, and talks to them about road safety. The garden is generally suitable for minded children. The fencing is secure and all garden play equipment is safe for children's use. However, the garden gate is not in place which means that minded children could escape to the unsafe part of the garden. The childminder is aware of this and intends to secure the gate so that children are better protected. In the meantime the childminder supervises children while in the garden to minimise this risk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of her role concerning child protection and is clear about her responsibilities to report any concerns to the appropriate bodies. This means that children are protected and safeguarded from harm whilst in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the home and move around confidently. The childminder encourages children to develop good relationships with herself and each other which improves their self esteem. She sits with children while they play and joins in to help them feel secure. Younger children play alongside each other well and begin to play together, for example with the Duplo, cars and garage. She encourages their sharing, praising their achievements warmly. As a result, children feel valued in the home and develop good social skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's attention is maintained for long periods of time because the childminder talks to children about what they are doing asking questions and developing their vocabulary. Children use their imagination well in their free play with the Duplo and puppets, and become engrossed in their own stories about dragons and princesses.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from an interesting range of activities outside the home, that enables them to observe, explore and investigate their world. They regularly attend different groups and the library where they take part in a wider range of play activities. This provides good opportunities to be active and to socialise with other children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's development is accommodated and progressed because the childminder is beginning to make use the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She maintains daily diaries, collects samples of work and photos and makes observations, however, these are not dated, therefore, are less likely to assist her to tracking children's progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder effectively meets the individual needs of all children because she knows them well and fully discusses these with their parents. Children learn about the diversity of others because the childminder ensures children have access to a good range of multi-cultural resources and develops their understanding through activities and discussion about other religions, festivals and cultures. For example, children use a range of resources, such as books, role play equipment, dolls and play people. She takes them on outings, for example they have visited a Hindu temple and she talks to them about Hinduism and prayer and teaches the children some simple words in Guajarati.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The procedures for supporting children with learning difficulties and disabilities are suitable and the childminder is proactive in accessing training to increase her knowledge in this area, for example she has attended 'Inclusive' and 'Makaton' training.

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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 Children behave well at the childminder’s house. They respond positively to her calm manner, positive behaviour strategies and consistent expectations for their behaviour. Positive techniques are used effectively and appropriately, for example in the encouragement of table manners, sharing resources, and a clear behaviour procedure and expectation is available which outlines good practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationships that the childminder has with their parents. She has an informative folder about her service to show new parents. Children's ongoing needs are met well because the childminder shares a written daily diary and talks to parents when they bring and collect their child. Parents are very appreciative of the care, learning and support that their children receive. They are made aware of how to make a complaint. The childminder has systems in place to keep records that would comply with the National Standards if a complaint was to be made.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and at ease in the well organised family environment. They know the childminder well and are relaxed and happy in her care. The childminding area is organised to promote children's safety and enjoyment. The daily routine provides children with a variety of play experiences both inside and outside the home. This ensures they have opportunities to engage in a range of activities and to socialise with other children.

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Organisation

The childminder has a good understanding of the need for training and personal development and has undertaken a range of courses to make sure that she can provide the most up-to-date care for minded children. These include, managing children's behaviour, food hygiene, child protection, planning activities, messy play, music matters and inclusive training courses.

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Organisation

Children's health and safety is generally well provided for, with the exception of weaknesses in hand washing procedures and children's security in the garden.

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Organisation

The childminder has a range of policies and procedures in place which underpin the quality service provided. These are used effectively to ensure that children are well cared for and that their individual needs are met. All the required documentation is in place and is well organised and presented.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection three recommendations were raised. The first recommendation related to the childminder ensuring she requests written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice, this is now in place and ensures children are protected in an emergency. The second recommendation related to the childminder providing a sufficient range of resources that reflect positive images of gender and disability. She now provides a range of resources that help children to learn about the diversity of others through books, dolls, and role play equipment. The third recommendation related to the childminder developing her knowledge and understanding of special needs issues. The childminder has been proactive in accessing training to increase her knowledge in this area, for example, 'Inclusive' and 'Makaton' training, and is keen to access further training. As a result procedures for supporting children with

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Improvements since the last inspection

learning difficulties and disabilities are suitable.

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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 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. 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): • assess the risks to children in relation to the security of the garden and take action to minimise these • improve hand washing procedures after toileting • further improve systems for monitoring children's progress by ensuring observations, photographs and children's work are dated

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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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