Westlea Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

140302 Unique Reference Number 24 September 2007 Inspection date Philippa Clare Williams Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1985. She lives and works with her husband, father-in-law, her three adult daughters and her mother in law, who is also a registered childminder. They live in Wood Green in the London borough of Haringey within a short walking distance from Turnpike Lane station, the local primary schools, a park and shopping area. The whole of the ground floor, the front room, back room, kitchen/diner and toilet is available to minded children. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for a maximum of four children. She jointly minds with her mother-in-law, and together they may care for a maximum of eight children at any one time. Currently they are jointly caring for four children between them on a part time basis. Both childminders have joint responsibility for the childminding practice.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder exercises good hygiene practices to minimise the risk of cross infection. For example, the premises are very well maintained and the childminder follows good standards of hygiene when changing nappies to help protect the youngest children. Older children develop good self-help skills as they independently use the toilet, and help to tidy up with the childminder's support. Children's health is further protected by an effective sick children's policy, which helps to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder has a fully stocked first aid box, current training in administering first aid and all the necessary consents, medication and accident records are available. This ensures children health needs being met in the event of any medical emergency.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a healthy balanced diet as they are provided with a good variety of nutritional homemade meals. For example, spaghetti bolognaise, fish fingers, salads, shepherds pie and different Indian dishes. Children are given regular healthy snacks, for example, fruit and raisins. They are encouraged to sit together and feed themselves, this helps to promote independence during a sociable time for them. Parents' wishes, as well as children’s likes, dislikes and dietary requirements, are taken into account to ensure their needs are met effectively. For example, one child requests a favourite dish of kedgeree for lunch. Children gain independence and a sense of belonging from helping to choose and prepare meals and snacks and the childminder knows that this encourages them to be interested in their food and eat well. For example, children help to cut up salad vegetables and prepare 'roti' for tea time. The childminder ensures

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

children are kept hydrated by offering them drinks on a regular basis.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from fresh air daily as they walk to and from school and this contributes to their good health. The childminder provides regular opportunities for physical play in the garden and at the local park. There is large and small equipment in the garden, such as swing, wheeled toys, bats, balls and skittles to encourage physical skills. Children have opportunities to develop climbing skills on apparatus at the local park.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment where risks are identified and minimised, and many safety items are in place, such as a safety gate, socket covers, electrical smoke detectors and a fire blanket. Suitable emergency evacuation procedures are in place, however, these are not practised with the children. Children are kept safe outdoors as the childminder has good procedures in place. Young children are securely strapped into buggies and older children learn about road safety, for example, the childminder teaches them the 'Green Cross Code', which is displayed in the hall.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are confident and enjoy their play as they select toys from various storage boxes and shelves, and from those offered to them by the childminder. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children’s choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

p.3

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 are protected as the childminder has a good knowledge of what to do if she had a concern about a child in her care. She has attended appropriate training and has all documentation in place for reference, including telephone numbers to contact social services.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children make good progress in their development and enjoy the stimulating activities which are both child and adult lead. For example, children particularly enjoy regular cooking activities. The childminder shares warm relationships with the children, who are happy and settled in her care. There is lots of laughter as they play. Children's language skills are developing well as the childminder talks with them all the time about what they are doing. They enjoy the challenge of completing a shape sorter with a little help and lots of encouragement as they carefully manipulate the pieces into the correct place. The childminder introduces the children to concepts of colour, shape, number and size during activities, for example, when playing with blocks she talks and asks questions about the colours, when playing with the bean bags she introduces counting and when playing with the shape sorter she encourages children to identify shapes.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children develop their understanding of the world in which they live as they discover how the wind blows the mobiles and chimes in the garden, as they help with shopping for food to prepare meals and help grow their own vegetables in the garden. Children develop a sense of belonging because the childminder gets to know the children well and they share different experiences together. These are often recalled by looking at photographs displayed around the home.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have good opportunities to develop their awareness of diversity through acknowledging different festivals, such as Eid, Diwali and Chinese New Year. Children especially enjoy helping to prepare and taste different international dishes. There is a wide range of resources available which reflect positive images of culture and disability, which help children appreciate and value each other's similarities and differences. The childminder has a good understanding of working with children with learning difficulties or disabilities and would ensure that all children's individual needs are known. She would plan and adapt care accordingly to meet their individual needs.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved because relationships between the childminder and children are good and children respond to praise and appropriate expectations. The childminder is a good role model for behaviour. She uses age appropriate positive strategies, such as encouraging sharing, praising, setting ground rules, giving clear explanations and always talking to children at their level. The children enjoy being with the childminder and they thrive on her interaction and attention.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has established a good working relationship with parents where they benefit from informative introductory visits that help children to settle in comfortably. She keeps parents well informed of their child's care needs and activities through daily informal discussions. Questionnaires are used to ascertain parents opinions about the service provided. Parents confirm they are delighted with the excellent service they and their children receive from the valued childminders. They praise the routine, the daily fresh food, the settling in process, the good levels of feedback and the excellent care and concern for their child. All consents are in

p.4

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 place, which means children are cared for in line with their parents' wishes. Although the childminder has a clear complaints procedure, she is less aware of the requirements with regard to recording complaints.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are looked after in a well organised environment with regular, yet flexible routines and as a result children's welfare is supported and children are happy and settled. The childminder ensures children have sufficient space to play in comfort. Children are allowed to play and learn independently as the childminder balances her time carefully offering support and encouragement when needed. Children are protected from harm by the childminder's vigilance and supervision.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder has accessed a range of short training courses, such as child protection, a 'treasure basket' workshop, self evaluation and food safety. This supports children's play, health and safety, and improves the service that the childminder offers. She is very aware of the need to incorporate any new training which might further enhance her provision.

p.5

Organisation

Children's needs are effectively supported because records are up-to-date, detailed, meet the requirements of the National Standards and are in very good order. The childminder gives due regard to confidentiality and all documentation is stored securely. There are detailed policies and procedures that are shared with parents to promote positive outcomes for children.

p.5

Organisation

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

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to extend resources that reflect positive images of gender and disability. A wide range of resources are now available to children which reflect positive images of disability and gender, including posters, figures and books. She was asked to develop her awareness of child protection issues and the procedures for reporting concerns. She has attended training in child protection and is aware of procedures for reporting concerns, as a result children are safeguarded. She was asked to ensure the daily attendance register includes arrival and departure times. Registers now include all the required detail to protect children's well-being.

p.5

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.

p.5

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 records may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.5

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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • improve fire safety precautions by ensuring the emergency evacuation procedure is practised regularly • develop a clearer understanding of the new regulations relating to dealing with and recording complaints

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6