Hogarth Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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140303 Unique Reference Number 24 September 2007 Inspection date Philippa Clare Williams 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 1985. She lives and works with her husband, son, her three adult granddaughters and her daughter-in-law, who is also a registered childminder. They live in Wood Green in the London borough of Haringey within a short walking distance from Turnpike Lane station, the local primary schools, park and shopping area. The whole of the ground floor, the front room, back room, kitchen/diner and toilet is available to minded children. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for a maximum of four children. She jointly minds with her daughter-in-law, and together they may care for a maximum of eight children at any one time. Currently they are jointly caring for four children between them on a part time basis. Both childminders have joint responsibility for the childminding practice.

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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 have their health needs well met because the childminder ensures her home is clean and well maintained. Children learn about the importance of good hygiene and personal care routines as they wash their hands at appropriate times of the day. They access the ground floor toilet independently, this increases their confidence and fosters self help skills in their personal care routine. Children's health and well-being is further promoted by the childminder sharing with parents their sick children's policy and not caring for children with infectious illnesses. There are effective systems in place for recording of accidents and administration of medication. Both she and her co-childminder take equal responsibility for ensuring that all records are kept appropriately. Children are well protected in the event of an accident as the childminder holds an appropriate first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

By working in partnership with her co-minder, the childminder ensures that children have a good variety of nutritional homemade meals. She encourages children to feed themselves either using cutlery or their fingers and to try new tastes, which positively promotes their independence and healthy eating. Parents' wishes, as well as children’s likes, dislikes and dietary requirements, are taken into account to ensure their needs are met effectively. For example, one child requests a favourite dish of kedgeree for lunch. Children gain independence and a sense of belonging from helping to choose and prepare meals and snacks, and the childminder knows that this encourages them to be interested in their food and eat well. For example, children help to cut up salad vegetables and prepare 'roti' for tea time. The childminder ensures children are kept hydrated by offering them drinks on a regular basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy daily fresh air, outside play and physical exercise through playing in the garden, visiting the local park and walking to school. There is large and small equipment in the garden, such as swing, wheeled toys, bats, balls and skittles to encourage physical skills. Children have opportunities to develop climbing skills on apparatus at the local park.

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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 welcoming, child-centred environment where their developmental needs are met through the provision of a good range of safe, good quality resources. The home is well organised to meet their needs and they independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe as the childminder has identified and minimised risks to children's safety. For example, safety gates prevent children's access to the stairs and plug covers protect electrical sockets. Fire safety equipment is available within the home, such as a fire blanket and electrical smoke alarms on all floors. Suitable emergency evacuation procedures are in place, however, these are not practised with the children. Children are kept safe outdoors as the childminder has good procedures in place. Young children are securely strapped into buggies and older children learn about road safety, for example, the childminder teaches them the 'Green Cross Code', which is displayed in the hall.

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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 protected as the childminder has a good knowledge of what to do if she had a concern about a child in her care. She has attended appropriate training and has all documentation in place for reference, including telephone numbers to contact social services.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder works in partnership with her co-minder to ensure children make progress through the provision of stimulating activities which are both child and adult lead. Children make decisions about their play and confidently choose their resources, for example, they choose to play with the Barbie dolls, the Duplo blocks, and a shape sorter. Parents play an active role in settling their children into the childminding environment. This is achieved through gradual introduction visits, which is beneficial and helps children to settle quickly and happily. The childminder builds close, warm relationships with the children. In turn children are at ease and relaxed in the company of the childminder and respond well to her. Children's mathematical skills are encouraged through the childminder encouraging counting and recognising colours and shapes during their self chosen play. Younger children are able to explore a range of sensory

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

experiences, such as paints, roti dough, sand and water which enables them to explore their senses and supports their all round development. The children benefit from and enjoy story times with the childminder. They are familiar with books and stories, and this encourages their communication and reading skills. Children develop a sense of belonging because the childminder gets to know the children well and they share different experiences together. These are often recalled by looking at photographs displayed around the home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. A good selection of resources and activities are provided to help raise children awareness of diversity. For example, posters are displayed with representation of people with disabilities, children have access to multi-cultural dolls, figures and books and they enjoy celebrating Chinese New Year, Eid and Diwali. Children especially enjoy helping to prepare and taste different international dishes. The childminder has a good understanding of working with children with learning difficulties or disabilities and would ensure that all children's individual needs are known. In partnerships with her co-minder she would plan and adapt care accordingly to meet their individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good understanding of appropriate behaviour management methods that children respond to and she is helping the children learn about what is right and wrong. She uses age appropriate positive strategies, such as encouraging sharing, praising, setting clear ground rules, and giving clear explanations. The children enjoy being with the childminder and they thrive on her interaction and attention.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes. They benefit from the close communication that takes place between the childminder and their parents and the way in which she keeps them well informed of their daily activities and aspects of their care. Questionnaires are used to ascertain parents opinions about the service provided. Parents confirm they are delighted with the excellent service they and their children receive from their valued childminders. They praise the routine, the daily fresh food, the settling in process, the good levels of feedback and the excellent care and concern for their child. All consents are in place, which means children are cared for in line with their parents' wishes. Although the

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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 childminder has a clear complaints procedure, she is less aware of the requirements with regard to recording complaints.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home in the well organised environment. Children confidently access and are involved in a range of interesting and age appropriate activities. They are well supported in their chosen activities and receive plenty of praise and encouragement from the childminder, which successfully fosters their self-esteem. Children are protected from harm by the childminder's vigilance and supervision.

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Organisation

The childminder has accessed a range of short training courses, such as child protection, 'treasure basket' workshop, self evaluation and food safety. This supports children's play, health and safety and improves the service that the childminder offers. She is very aware of the need to incorporate any new training which might further enhance her provision.

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Organisation

Children's needs are effectively supported because records are up-to-date, detailed, meet the requirements of the National Standards and are in very good order. The childminder gives due regard to confidentiality and all documentation is stored securely. There are detailed policies and procedures that are shared with parents to promote positive outcomes for children.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to extend resources that reflect positive images of gender and disability. A wide range of resources are now available to children which reflect positive images of disability and gender including posters, figures and books. She was asked to develop awareness of child protection issues and the procedures for reporting concerns. She has attended training in child protection training and is aware of procedures for reporting concerns, as a result children are safeguarded. She was asked to ensure the daily attendance register includes arrival and departure times. Registers now include all the required detail to protect children's well-being.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last 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 records may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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Complaints 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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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): • develop a clearer understanding of the new regulation relating to dealing with and recording complaints • improve fire safety precautions by ensuring the emergency evacuation procedure is practised regularly

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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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