Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY344214 Unique Reference Number 02 August 2007 Inspection date Fiona Sapler 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 2006. She lives with her daughter, aged two, in a fourth floor flat in Highbury in the London borough of Islington. The whole of the flat is used for childminding. There is no outside area for outdoor play.

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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 under five all day, and one child over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are encouraged to follow appropriate personal hygiene routines that contribute to their good health. They clearly explain why they must wash their hands after going to the toilet and before eating.

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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 Adequate systems protect the children's welfare if they are unwell or have an accident. The childminder understands the requirement to record all accidents and has gained consent from parents to administer medication. The childminder verbally shares her policy, with parents, relating to sickness and described a situation when this has been implemented to minimise the risk of cross infection. However, in an emergency appropriate care may be delayed as the childminder has not sought written permission from parents to seek medical advice or treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy nutritious snacks and meals and know that fruit is good for them, helping them develop healthy eating habits from a young age. Children confidently help themselves to a drink whenever they need one and the childminder reminds the children frequently to drink. This prevents dehydration.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children go out every day and excitedly talk about the large equipment they like to play on in the park. This indicates that they are learning about different ways their bodies work and are developing their physical skills on a regular basis. The childminder actively chooses local toddler groups with outdoor play areas to provide the children with opportunities to play outside and benefit from fresh air and exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a warm and welcoming environment. The childminder has taken some steps to minimise risks in her home, for example, by fitting a stair gate to prevent access to the kitchen. However, accessible cleaning liquids in the bathroom are potentially dangerous to the children. The childminder has considered how to leave the flat in an emergency. She ensures children are familiar with the route they would take by occasionally using the stairs and explaining to the children why this is a safe way to leave the building in an emergency. This means the children learn how to leave the premises quickly and safely if necessary.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Toys and resources are very good quality and well maintained. The childminder checks these regularly and cleans them when necessary to ensure they stay safe and suitable for the children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are developing an understanding of how to keep themselves safe because the childminder provides clear explanations as to why this may be dangerous. For instance, children were reminded not to swing their toy fishing rods around as they could poke their friend in the eye. They also enthusiastically talked about how they must hold the childminder's hand and not run off when they go out, because the cars and roads are dangerous.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has a sound understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse that would cause concern and knows what action to take to protect the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are very happy and comfortable in the childminder's home and benefit from the childminder's positive interaction and involvement in their play. This supports their emotional well-being. The children play cooperatively, either when helping build a train track together or when playing 'hungry fogs' or a fishing game. They understand the rules of the game and help each other out when necessary.

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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 The children ask lots of questions and the childminder responds appropriately helping to extend their emerging vocabulary. They enjoy listening to stories and further learn about the meaning of words through the childminder’s expressive reading.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans her day to provide children with a balance of active and quiet play. She includes trips each day to groups or activity centres where children are able to socialise and have access to creative and messy play, providing opportunities for them to explore and experiment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are learning about the world around them because the childminder actively seeks to involve them in learning about other cultures. She selects resources that contribute to their greater understanding, such as a set of bowls and chopsticks and an Asian dressing up outfit. Children thoroughly enjoy experimenting with the chopsticks. The childminder's demonstration and her explanations about who traditionally uses them helps the children's appreciation of others in the community and the wider world. The childminder also ensures that books from the library reflect a range of different cultures and languages. The children's self esteem and a sense of their own identity is fostered because the childminder provides resources and books in which the children recognise themselves and can easily relate to.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and would work with parents and other professionals to ensure she was able to effectively meet each individual child's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children enjoy each other's company and share and take turns when they play. They clearly understand right from wrong and the rules of the home, explaining they mustn't climb on the furniture or fight with each other. They are encouraged to care about their surroundings when they help to tidy up their toys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has built good working relationships with parents and gathers all relevant information to enable her to meet the children's individual needs and to get to know the children well. The childminder shares information verbally, about their child's day, on a daily basis to promote continuity of care. However, parents have not provided written consent that would ensure the childminder is fully aware of their wishes.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children enjoy their time with the childminder because of the childminder's enthusiasm and commitment. They are provided with a stimulating day that supports their learning and all round development. The childminder has undertaken additional childcare training and uses her knowledge of how children play and learn to enhance the time the children spend with her.

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Organisation

Children are cared for in a mostly well organised environment where limited space has been used creatively to provide areas for the children to eat, sleep and play although some safety issues prevent the home being completely safe for the children to move around freely.

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Organisation

The childminder is aware to inform Ofsted of any significant events; however, her certificate of registration is not displayed. This is an offence. Parents are not sufficiently aware of the

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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 conditions of registration which could result in over minding. The childminder, however, maintains her ratios appropriately, enabling her to provide sufficient support to each child.

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Organisation

Although there are some weaknesses in the written consent sought from parents, required documentation is maintained accurately contributing to the children's welfare. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 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. 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 that hazards to the children, in the home, are minimised • gain a range of written consent from parents to ensure their wishes are fully met • ensure the certificate of registration is displayed at all times when minded children are present.

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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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