Redby Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 137463 Inspection date 21 July 2005 Inspector Beverley Jarrett

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1997. She works jointly with her husband who is also registered as a childminder. They live with their 16 year old twin children in the London Borough of Brent. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has no pets. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children under 8-years; of these, not more than 3 may be under 5-years, and of these, not more than 1 may be under 1-year at any one time. When the childminder and her husband are both in attendance, she is registered to provide care for a maximum of 7 children under

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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 8-years, of these, not more than 3 may be under 5-years and of these, not more than 1 may be under 1-year at any time. The childminder is currently minding 5 children under 8-years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder is not registered to care for children overnight.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is well promoted, as the childminder maintains good levels of hygiene throughout her home. The children do not attend if they have an infection or feel unwell. As a result they are protected from unnecessary illness. Children are developing an awareness of the importance of washing their hands after outdoor play and before meal times. Children's care needs are well met. For example, the routine is flexible, to meet their individual needs for rest and play. Children are happy, relaxed, confident and very much at home. They enjoy lots of fresh air and exercise. For example, the childminder provides a range of activities which take the children out into the local community for walks and fun times in the well organised garden. Resources such as a climbing frame, slide, balls and bicycles ensure that children are developing good physical skills while learning about their bodies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are fed in warm relaxed surroundings where they are able to sit and eat comfortably. Parents provide the food for their children. Drinking water and fruit juices are available throughout the day.

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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 spacious home where risks are identified and minimised. This means they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. On outings into the local community the childminder ensures children are kept safe because she understands and complies with health and safety requirements. Children use a wide range of safe, good quality, developmentally appropriate resources. These are well-organised in child-height furniture to encourage independent access. The childminder closely monitors and gives guidance to younger children to ensure that toys and play materials are suitable and safe for their age and stage of development. Children are very well protected by the childminder who has clear understanding of child protection issues and procedures. She holds a current first aid certificate and

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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 has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well settled at the childminder's house and move confidently through the play areas. They relate well to each other and show sensitivity to younger children. Children are making good progress in all areas of their development. The childminder provides a wide range of stimulating toys and interesting activities for example, imaginative play using cooking utensils, which encourages an understanding of how different foods are prepared and cooked. The children are developing their language skills, as the childminder asks questions and encourages them to chat. This helps them to make sense of the world and their place in it. They have ample opportunities to explore and experiment when using the garden for outdoor play. For example, children can watch as birds fly in and out of two bird houses. They can see the nest which has been gradually built by one of the birds over some time. This helps to promote a healthy awareness in children of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

nature and how other creatures live and thrive in the environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are content as their individual needs are met by the childminder. Children enjoy care that promotes their well-being. The children turn to the childminder for both comfort and play. The childminder is in tune with all the children's needs and meets them affectionately. The children's personalities are well understood by the childminder, this means that she is able to encourage their happiness by providing for their individual interests. The childminder understands the importance of helping children to develop a strong identity and feel good about themselves and others. However, there are too few toys and books available to help children to develop an understanding of cultures and beliefs of other people. Children are secure and comfortable because parents share information about their child's individual needs, interests and experiences with the childminder at the outset

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Helping children make a positive contribution

of childminding arrangements. Children receive consistent care as there is a daily exchange of information with parents about the children's day. The childminder is attentive to children's needs. As a result, the children are happy. Children are developing their confidence as the childminder praises their efforts. This encourages them to behave in acceptable ways and learn to be caring and considerate to each other.

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Organisation

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's welfare, care and development needs are very well met as the childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of caring for young children. She is well organised, warm and affectionate towards the children who are relaxed and very happy in her care. As a result they are learning to behave in acceptable ways. Children enjoy a variety of activities to broaden their learning experiences. The childminder is keen to develop her knowledge and skills to benefit the children. For example, she will in the near future attend Birth to three matters training. Children have good warm relationships with each other and the childminder. As a result they are happy and feel safe and secure. All relevant paper work is up to date and well maintained. Written policies and procedures are discussed and shared with parents. The childminder ensures that she

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Organisation

carries out the parent's wishes when providing care for their children. 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 agreed to devise a written behaviour policy and improve fire safety precautions. As a result: Children's well being is safeguarded, as the childminder has devised a written behaviour management policy which is shared with parents. The childminder has improved fire safety precautions by ensuring the smoke alarms are checked more frequently and practising emergency evacuations periodically. Written records are now kept on both procedures.

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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 • provide a range of toys and books to develop children's awareness of other cultures and beliefs.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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