Zakaria Muslim Girls' High School

Inspection report for early years provision

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107792 Unique Reference Number 30 August 2007 Inspection date Susan Mary Deadman 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 satisfactory. 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 1992. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. The whole of the ground floor of the home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding one child who is three years of age. There were no children present during the inspection. The childminder speaks English and Bengali.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder promotes the care and welfare of children, as there are good procedures in place in relation to the recording of accidents and sharing information with parents. She has a valid first aid certificate and the first aid box contains required items.

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder supports children to adopt effective personal hygiene routines, such as washing their hands before eating meals. The childminder maintains children’s hydration as she ensures their drinks are always in easy access. She provides a range of healthy meals and snacks in accordance to parent’s wishes. The childminder provides plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit.

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Helping children to be healthy

Through discussion, she demonstrated that children receive opportunities to participate in physical play and exercise by visiting the local parks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder cares for children in spacious premises, which she maintains to a good standard. Children benefit from the availability of the good amount of play space, which offer free flow from the lounge, kitchen and play room. The childminder has resources in the home to provide for the needs of the children. For example, the dining table offers facilities for sociable mealtimes. The childminder provides car seats to meet the needs of children and promote their safety when travelling.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The large glass cabinet in the dining area of the lounge poses a slight risk to children’s safety. The childminder has procedures in place to reduce this risk. For example, when using the table children are seated away from this area. The childminder promotes children's welfare in an emergency as she has clearly written fire evacuation procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Through discussion, the childminder demonstrated her ability to safeguard children’s welfare in relation to child protection issues.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children have easy access to a wide range of art and craft materials. They are able to use a variety of scissors which have a decorative cutting-edge. Felt tip pens, beads and various materials offer children the resources to support their creativity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder described how she teaches children through play. She talks to them about colour, shape and size, which supports their understanding of these concepts. She teaches children to count and know their letter. The childminder described children's ability to identify that the letter to their name is the same as the childminder's name.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder takes children on various outings to gain further stimulation. For example, they attend toddler and crèche groups and participate in story time at the local library.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Through discussion the childminder demonstrated how children learn about others in the community, as she provides them with some resources and positive images within her home. Children are able to dress in Asian outfits and the childminder answers their questions relating to traditions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a positive approach to managing children’s behaviour. She talks to them about the behaviour she expects in her home. Children gain an understanding of right and

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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 wrong as the childminder describes how she talks to them about issues relating to their behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationship the childminder establishes with parents. Generally effective communication has a positive impact upon the children. She verbally exchanges information with parents regarding children’s daily routines and activities. The childminder promotes children’s welfare as she has the required written permission from parents in relation to issues such as outings and car travel. The childminder informs parents verbally of her complaints procedure, although she does not provide them with the full contact details of Ofsted.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Although there were no children present during the inspection, the childminder was able to describe how children form warm relationships with her and other family members. There is a written agreement in place between the childminder and parents, which allows the childminder’s daughter to care for minded children in an emergency. On one occasion the childminder's daughter cared for a child. Although the care was at the parent's request and the childminder did gain additional prior written permission, the childminder is in breach of regulations, as she did not record the hours another person cared for the children. There are also no clear procedures in place to identify the definition of an emergency.

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Organisation

The childminder is also in breach of the National Standards in relation to reference checks for persons over the age of 16 living on the premises. Although she informed Ofsted when her youngest child reached the age of 16, she did not ensure that required criminal records check was fully completed.

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Organisation

The childminder has a certificate of pre-school practice and currently works part-time in a crèche, which she takes minded children to. She has a reasonable understanding of the requirements relating to record keeping. She maintains the required information on minded children and holds prior written permission for emergency medical treatment. The childminder updates information on the children if there are any changes. 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 previous inspection the childminder was required to develop her knowledge relating to child protection, ensure children's access to a good range of toys and make parents aware of the complaints procedure.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder is able to identify possible indicators of abuse. She has an understanding of the required procedures and was able to demonstrate how she would contact the appropriate agency to inform them of any concerns. Although she asks carers for an explanation of injuries children arrive with, she does not record the discussion or incident.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children have access to a basic range of toys and play equipment. The childminder was able to identify how she meets their developmental needs through the provision of art and cooking activities and outings.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has a very basic verbal complaint policy and has minimal knowledge of the new regulations in relation to complaints. This issue is address within the new recommendations.

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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 previous 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.

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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 satisfactory. 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 there are effective procedures in place, which reduce the risk to children in relation to low level glass • develop knowledge and understanding of the new regulations in relation to complaints, which should include procedures to provide parents with the full contact details of Ofsted as the regulators of childcare • ensure an accurate record is maintained in relation to the name of the persons who care for the children • ensure that others do not care for minded children, other than in an emergency and have clear procedures in place to offer a definition of emergency.

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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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