Springboard Education

Inspection report for early years provision

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135180 Unique Reference Number 11 July 2007 Inspection date Helen Maria Steven 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 a registered childminder since May 1995. She lives with her husband and adult child in a maisonette in the Queens Park area in the London borough of Westminster. The maisonette is arranged over two floors, the living room and hallway on the ground floor are the main areas used for childminding. There is a secure outside play space.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight, she currently has one child on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminder's Association, Westminster Accredited Childminding Network and is registered as a Home Child Carer. She helps organise three childminders drop in groups around the local area. The childminder holds an NVQ level 3 qualification in childcare.

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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 warm, clean home. They begin to learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care; however there are occasions when they are not actively encouraged to hand wash before eating food. The childminder’s appropriate procedures reduce the risk of cross infection, for example children who are unwell do not attend. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate to enable her to effectively treat children in an emergency and has a fully equipped first aid box in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s dietary needs are fully respected as the childminder has written information about these and works in partnership with parents. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet; they are able to make healthy food choices and are offered drinking water throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities that contribute to their good health, for example, regular visits to local parks and playgrounds. Young children are developing control of their bodies as they negotiate space within the home, run around, climb steps and use ride on toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move freely and safely around between the living room and hallway of the childminder’s home making their own choices about their play. They are cared for in a welcoming environment and the good use of space and equipment enables the children freedom to access the resources themselves. They benefit from a good range of suitable and safe resources which meet the needs of the children in the childminder’s care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s safety is well promoted as the childminder identifies risks and ensures that they are removed. For example, safety gates are in place across the kitchen and stairs, smoke alarms are positioned on each floor. There is a fire blanket fitted in the kitchen, however, it is positioned over the cooker which may prevent it from being used safely in an emergency. Children are encouraged to learn how to negotiate steps safely supervised by the childminder. They are protected from harm as the childminder understands her role with regards to child protection and feels able to put appropriate procedures in place when concerns are raised. Parents are made aware of the childminder’s commitment to safeguarding children as she has a written child protection procedure in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children settle into the environment exceptionally well and are happy, confident and eager to learn. They are involved in a stimulating range of activities which are interesting, fun and develop their curiosity, creativity and imagination. As well as benefiting from an extensive range of play experiences within the setting, children are taken regularly to drop in groups to extend their learning opportunities and develop their social skills. Activities are carefully organised to match the needs and ages of the children attending and the childminder has a clear indication of the learning intentions each of the activities offer.

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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 Children are totally absorbed and interested in everything they do and are confident to try new experiences. Children's curiosity is heightened as they have fun with the exceptionally well resourced heuristic play. For example, they gaze at their reflection through a metal dish and listen to the sounds of items spinning. The environment is organised to provide them with a range of sensory experiences, for example, the garden is planted with scented flowers and objects that reflect light. Numerous opportunities and activities develop children's knowledge and understanding of the world. They develop an interest in nature as they view the flowers in the garden. Younger children are encouraged to learn how things work; they eagerly switch battery toys on and off and show amazement and pride when they succeed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All areas of children's development are significantly enhanced by the exceptional quality of the childminder's interactions. Children are listened to and their communication skills are well promoted as the childminder commentates, asks questions, echoes speech and positively responds to their gestures and sounds. The childminder is very skilled in encouraging young children to express themselves, they clearly understand what is being said and communicate with her well. They thoroughly enjoy listening to stories and learn about the meaning of words through the childminders expressive reading. Children make excellent use of the props provided by the childminder to enhance the stories and songs. For example children choose toys from a singing basket to indicate the song they wish to sing. Familiar rhymes and songs are sung with gusto thus further developing their language. Their understanding of mathematical

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

language is good as they discuss sizes of resources, for example, bigger and smaller. The childminder asks if children would like their fruit cut in half. The close and caring relationships with the childminder increase children’s sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of self.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are made extremely welcome and each child is valued. Activities are meaningful, stimulating and fun, and adapted to meet the individual needs of each child. Consequently, children relish their time in the childminder's home and are extremely confident and self-assured. The childminder gives children regular opportunities to learn about the world they live in through outings and activities that introduce them to other cultures, for example, by attending a regular drop in group where children socialise with a rich ethnic mix of local people. Their appreciation of other cultures is enhanced by the variety of resources that reflect different cultures, and they have opportunities to experience activities at the drop in group such as African story telling and drumming to celebrate black history month. The childminder has attended a variety of courses to develop her understanding of how to support children with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

learning difficulties and is able to sign in Makaton.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is excellent due to the clear boundaries and positive role model set by the childminder. She continually reinforces positive behaviour by thanking children for listening and responding to requests. Children understand the difference between right and wrong and are encouraged to develop good manners.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed superb relationships with parents who are kept informed of how their child is progressing. This is both verbally and by detailed daily diaries which gives a vivid account of how the children spend their time whilst with the childminder and the stimulating range of activities they are involved in. The childminder observes the children's development and progress and uses this to produce memory books for parents to keep. These records chart children's progress and development and are supported by a wealth of animated

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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 photographic evidence. Parental feedback shows that parents greatly value the care offered by the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is enthusiastic and motivated to provide a good childminding service. The children feel at home and at ease in the well organised environment which means they are confident to initiate their own play and learning. Parents are informed about their children's activities, enabling them to contribute to the continuity of their child's care. Children’s time at the childminder’s is organised to incorporate both active and quiet times.

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Organisation

All paperwork required to promote the welfare, care and learning of children is in place and is well organised. Her registration certificate and qualification certificates are displayed so that they are available for parents to view. The children’s individual details are known to the childminder including their likes and dislikes. The childminder has developed a good range of policies and procedures to support her child care practices, which she continues to review. The childminder is proactive in ensuring she keeps up to date in childcare issues by attending regular training, thus benefiting the children. She is actively involved in the local childminding network and organises drop in groups to extend children’s play opportunities. 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 the childminder was advised to increase her specialist skills in order to promote the welfare and development of children with special needs. She has since attended a variety of courses to extend her knowledge to enable her to fully support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 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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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):

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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 • ensure that children's hands are washed routinely before eating • ensure children's safety by making sure that all sockets accessible to children are routinely covered after use and the fire blanket is re positioned to make it more accessible.

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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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