Roundswell Community Primary Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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147084 Unique Reference Number 05 February 2008 Inspection date Karen Pretty 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 2000. She lives with her two children aged 15 and 10-years-old in New Southgate, London. The whole of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. In addition, beyond the garden gate there is direct access to a large community play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children at any one time and is currently minding one child. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. She attends the local parent and toddler group, takes children to the local park and library. The family has a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of a local childminder support group and 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. Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable home where they are encouraged to follow simple good health and hygiene practices. Children are given opportunities to develop their own knowledge about personal hygiene as they are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. They are reminded of the importance of using soap to wash away any germs and individual towels are provided for hand drying. Their health is promoted as the childminder obtains the appropriate information from parents about children's individual health care needs and all written consents are in place to support this. The childminder has attended first aid training and has accurate procedures in place to record accidents. However, the contents of the first aid box are not checked frequently and replaced as necessary, consequently, it currently contains some out-of- date dressings. Children are protected from

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Helping children to be healthy

the spread of illness as the childminder has a clear policy in place, which she shares with parents, about the exclusion of children if they are ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about healthy eating as the childminder provides children with healthy meals and snacks, which regularly feature fresh fruit and vegetables. The childminder has good knowledge regarding food hygiene and the appropriate storage of food, she prepares and cooks a wide variety of foods to provide each child with a balanced diet. Children enjoyed a hot evening meal of breaded chicken steaks, cheesy pasta, salad and garlic bread followed by pancakes. Children have constant access to drinks to ensure they do not become dehydrated, smaller children have their beakers replenished regularly by the childminder. All children are able to rest and sleep according to their individual routines, either in the childminder's bedroom or on the sofa with plenty of cosy cushions. Sleeping children are frequently checked.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of physical play experiences that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They regularly play in the safe enclosed garden with access to a good range of equipment which includes a large trampoline, footballs and bikes. Directly beyond the secure garden gate is a large community play area which provides a larger play space for physical activities. Children frequently use this area with the childminder which gives them further opportunity to have the freedom to run around in the fresh air.

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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 safe and secure environment, where they can move around freely and independently under the childminder's close supervision. Children's safety is enhanced and the risk of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder has taken effective steps to reduce possible risks. For example, fitting cupboard locks to prevent access to any chemicals or knives and she is conscious to use the back rings on the cooker whenever possible. Fire safety precautions such as a fire blanket and smoke alarms are in place and the childminder has developed an emergency evacuation procedure to follow, which is practised regularly and discussed with all new children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a stimulating range of good quality toys and equipment that meet safety standards. These are mainly stored in the lounge although further equipment is available in the childminder's bedroom which can be rotated according to the children's interests, the childminder cleans and checks toys and equipment regularly. Most resources are stored at child

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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 height, this enables children to self-select. Children are learning to keep themselves safe on outings as the childminder teaches them about road safety and they know to stay close. The childminder uses buggies and reins to keep younger children safe. Appropriately sized car seats are used when transporting children in the car, for which parents have given prior permission.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted because the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities in protecting children. Up-to-date information ensures the childminder is confident and competent in following correct procedures and knows who to contact should she have any concerns about the children in her care. She has a good knowledge of all signs and symptoms and a procedure is in place to record any existing injuries.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and well settled in the welcoming environment. They enjoy spending time exploring the stimulating range of toys and equipment provided by the childminder based on her accurate knowledge of child development. The childminder gets down to the children's level and joins in with their play and often helps with homework or reading, supporting the development of their language and curiosity with open-ended questions. This ensures children's learning is consolidated and extended. Outings are regularly planned either to the park, library or local children's groups and attractions, where children have good opportunities to develop their social skills. Furthermore, the childminder supports children's wishes to attend various clubs after school, providing them with opportunities to take part in extra curricular activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop their confidence as the childminder knows them well and praises their achievements, for example, when completing homework or directed tasks. Children are encouraged to take part in a variety of activities which ensures all areas of children's development are promoted and met. Children have access to a large selection of books which is helping them to develop a love of books and also provides opportunities for them to have quiet times with the childminder. Children confidently ask questions and use their initiative, for example, asking what is for dinner or independently accessing the bathroom to wash their hands.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop a strong sense of belonging because the childminder knows them and their families well and ensures they are all valued and included. Children have built good relationships with the childminder who responds sensitively to them and respects their individual personalities. All children have equal access to toys and equipment that meets their individual needs so they can become confident and independent. The childminder has several resources reflecting diversity and discusses people's similarities and differences with children, to help them develop an understanding of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a positive approach to caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, she works closely with parents to provide individual care required to promote children's welfare and development. She is willing to work with other agencies to further increase her knowledge and would undertake further training to accommodate an individual child's needs and promote their welfare.

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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 learn about responsible behaviour as the childminder is a positive role model and has a good understanding of appropriate managing strategies depending on their stage of development. The childminder deals with behaviour in a calm and consistent manner. There is a clear policy in place, which is shared with parents, to help promote this consistent approach. The childminder has developed 'house rules' with the children, this ensures expectations are clear and gives children ownership, allowing them to regulate their own behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are made fully aware of all the childminder's policies and procedures and information is provided to parents to ensure children are looked after according to their parents' wishes. Information is exchanged verbally on a daily basis to ensure children's changing needs are met and to provide continuity of care. The childminder makes parents aware of how they can make a complaint and any procedures that will be followed, should she ever receive any.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her home to provide a stimulating and child-friendly environment in which children take part in a range of activities to support their care, learning and play. They benefit from regular routines which helps them feel confident and secure. Space and resources are well-organised to provide children with a good balance of interesting activities. The childminder follows effective procedures to promote children's good health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution.

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Organisation

The childminder has attended all the required training to support her registration and has also recently been awarded a Batchelor of Arts in Early Childhood Studies. All documentation is well-organised and stored confidentiality, which supports the care and welfare of the children, however, the childminder does not maintain an accurate record of children's daily hours of attendance. Overall children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, to improve the standards of care, the childminder was required to: improve the hand drying arrangements for children to reduce the risk of cross-infection; reduce potential hazardous to children and not rely on children to avoid identified risks; develop the range of resources and activities to include positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability; record arrival and departure times of minded children in the daily attendance records; update and put into place all required documentation.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Appropriate steps have been taken regarding all of the previous recommendations to ensure children's health, safety and ability to make a positive contribution is now fully promoted. The recommendation regarding recording children's daily attendance has been raised again at this inspection as clarity is still required to provide adequate daily details to ensure children's safety and welfare is promoted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 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): • ensure the contents of the first aid box are checked frequently and replaced as necessary • ensure an accurate record of children's hours of attendance is maintained on a daily basis.

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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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