Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY276604 Unique Reference Number 23 July 2007 Inspection date Suman Willis 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 2003. She co-minds with her mother who is also a registered childminder. The childminding takes place in the mother's home which is situated in Leverstock Green Road within walking distance of the park, local shops and schools. The main living room, the kitchen, and the downstairs bathroom are used for childminding. 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 three children at any one time and is currently minding one child over five years before and after school and during school holidays. The childminder has a car to transport children, and takes children on regular walks to the local park and visits places of interest.

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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 taken out for daily walks to the park, and to various outdoor activity centres. They also have access to a well-resourced garden. Children enjoy playing musical games using the disco mat, and move rhythmically to music. They move with control around the house. Children complete jigsaw puzzles with ease, and participate in a variety of activities which promote fine motor skills. Consequently, children's gross and fine motor skills are developing well, and they learn to stay healthy because they have regular exercise and fresh air. Children rest and sleep according to their individual routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's medical needs are appropriately monitored because the childminder has a clear sickness policy and signed permission from parents to administer emergency first aid and non-prescribed medication. The childminder is able to maintain children's health and safety needs because she has updated her training in first aid. A first aid kit is effectively maintained to ensure children stay healthy. Children are developing a good understanding of managing their personal hygiene as they independently access the toilet. Effective procedures introduced by the childminder, such as removing outdoor shoes when playing inside and using disposable gloves when changing nappies, help to minimise cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are very well nourished. Parents provide information about children's individual dietary needs to ensure that these are effectively met. Children are involved in preparing and choosing their own lunches and the childminder ensures that these are well-balanced by providing a mixture of vegetables or salads alongside either sandwiches or pasta dishes. Children enjoy helping themselves to fruit as they tuck into strawberries. They are involved in growing their own salads and vegetables, such as tomatoes and runner beans, which are used in children's meals. Babies and toddlers are offered regular drinks and older children help themselves, thus promoting children's independence of managing their own body needs.

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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 warm, bright and airy room. Their safety is generally well-maintained because the childminder carries out daily risk assessments of each individual area used by children. However, the side door is not always locked and the key is kept in a basket in the kitchen. The fire blanket is stored in the cupboard. Consequently, children's safety is compromised because the entrance door is not secure and the fire blanket is not easily accessed. Clear procedures, such as checking smoke detectors and familiarising children with the emergency evacuations, ensure that they stay safe. Children have access to a broad range of age-appropriate resources which help to promote their development in all areas. These are suitably maintained and stored to offer all children choice and help to promote their independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children demonstrate a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe. For example, they are keen to share how they walk home safely from school. Safety rules drawn up by the childminder are shared with parents so that there is a consistency in maintaining children's safety.

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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 Children are very well safeguarded because the childminder has a very good understanding of child protection, and has developed policies and procedures in line with the Local Safeguarding Children's Board guidelines; these are effectively shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and engage in their chosen activity with enthusiasm. They enjoy a broad range of activities which are planned to meet the needs of all children and to promote children's learning. For example, children enjoy making 'pom poms' and balloon puppets. Their progress is effectively monitored and shared with parents. Children enjoy being creative and play musical games using the keyboard. They are encouraged to read and try out new words as they read the names of different instruments on the electronic keyboard. Older children enjoy being challenged as they learn the capitals of different countries and are delighted as they correctly guess the capital of France. Children are developing good hand and eye coordination as they complete jigsaw puzzles. They are developing a very good understanding of their environment as they plant vegetables and flowers in the garden. The 'Birth to three

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

matters' framework is effectively used to plan and vary activities for the younger child. Consequently, children are challenged and interested to learn.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn right from wrong because they are encouraged and supported by the childminder to put away toys before taking out different ones. They are delighted as they take turns when playing board games.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very settled in the childminder's care. They feel a strong sense of belonging because of the care provided by the childminder. For example, children are delighted as they are given a little washbag that the childminder has brought back for them from her holiday. Children learn to value themselves as the childminder speaks very proudly of all the children and their achievements. They are developing a good understanding of their local community and their environment as they go for local walks and carry out planting activities. Children learn about the wider world through a variety of activities such as cooking and dressing up. They learn to value the differences in people as they talk and draw pictures of themselves. Children also have access to a good range of resources, through their daily play, which extends their knowledge of different cultures and beliefs. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to working

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Helping children make a positive contribution

with children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Consequently, all children feel valued and are beginning to respect the differences in people, and their individual cultures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well because the childminder has clear strategies in place to promote children's self-esteem. For example, children are rewarded points for positive behaviour and they are involved in drawing up a list of how points can be earned. At the end of the week all children receive certificates for different achievements which makes them all develop a positive attitude about themselves, and helps to develop their confidence. All children are fully supported and thrive because the childminder constantly offers praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed a very good relationship with the parents. All information about the children's development is shared effectively with parents. Parents provide valuable information to enable the childminder to be fully prepared to meet the needs of all children. Consequently, children feel settled and secure. Records of babies' and toddlers' daily routines

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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 are given to parents at the end of each day. Parents also receive regular newsletters informing them of any changes that may impact on childcare. A clear complaints procedure is implemented thus further promoting a strong partnership between parents and the childminder, which has a positive impact on the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's well-being is fully respected and highly valued by a childminder who is committed to updating her knowledge and skills to ensure that children reach their full potential. They are fully safeguarded because of the clear policies and procedures implemented by the childminder. The childminder is very organised and works closely with parents so that children's individual routines are met; this helps children to feel settled and secure. In-depth policies and procedures are carefully maintained and updated to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution; these are effectively shared with parents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to: develop her knowledge on child protection issues; and review the illness policy and procedures.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has recently attended training in safeguarding children and has a clear procedure in place to ensure that children stay safe. The sickness policy and procedure has been developed to record medication administered and parents are now informed of the childminder's 24 hour sickness exclusion policy. Therefore, children stay healthy.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the registration 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 • develop risk assessment procedures to ensure that children stay safe at all times; this refers to the security of the side door and the fire blanket.

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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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