Focus School - Cheshunt Primary Campus

Inspection report for early years provision

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135553 Unique Reference Number 13 August 2007 Inspection date Julia Louise Crowley 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 1991. She lives with her husband and two daughters, one adult daughter and one daughter aged 15 years old in Edmonton within the London Borough of Enfield. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding two children aged 11 years and six years, temporarily during the holidays.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean house where the childminders sufficiently follows current and appropriate health and hygiene guidelines which supports children to stay healthy. The childminder is able to complete adequate hygiene practises that promote a healthy environment

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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 for example, all surfaces are cleaned with anti bacterial spray and gloves and appropriate hygienic equipment is used when changing nappies. Children have a basic understanding of simple good health practises which is reinforced by the childminders gentle reminders for example, children know to wash their hands before a meal and know to use the available tissues to blow their nose.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are adequately nourished because the childminder ensures that fresh, nutritional ingredients are used and all meals are home cooked. The childminder provides a healthy vegetarian diet however will offer meats if provided by the parents consequently children's individual dietary needs are sufficiently met. Children are offered drinks at regular times during the day, however, older children are not able to independently help themselves to drinks when they recognise they are thirsty. Opportunities to develop children's understanding and ability to recognise their bodily needs are lost consequently children learning healthy practises is not always promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has all necessary documentation to support children's care, for example, medication, accident records and consent for emergency treatment. The childminder holds a first aid certificate and is sufficiently knowledgeable to cater for children's needs in the case of an accident or emergency. The childminder is aware that all accidents must be recorded and the records made available to parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy physical activity because the childminder offers children adequate opportunity to access fresh air and exercise, for example, children enjoy the garden area, frequent trips to the park where they can access large apparatus swings and slides and indoor activity parks. Children's coordination and balance is developed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming and organised environment where children can play in all ground floor rooms including a play room. Children's work is presented in the play room along side certificates and informative posters consequently this creates a welcoming setting. However, toys are not easily accessible as the majority of toys are in the garage or in the loft extension consequently children are unable know what is available to them and make independent choices.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminders adequate levels of supervision and continuous assessment of possible hazards minimises the potential risks to children's safety. In addition, she ensures that the necessary safety equipment is in place, for example, stair gates, plug socket covers and all dangerous equipment is placed out of reach. However, recent building materials are accessible to the children as they have been left in the outdoor play area consequently children's safety is compromised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder offers helpful advice and reminders for example, the childminder reminds them to tidy toys away after they have used them and to walk not run when walking to the park. The childminder has sound systems in place that further support the children's safety for example, fire evacuation procedure and collection of children policy.

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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 generally well protected as the childminder has a reasonable knowledge of the physical and emotional signs, which could indicate child protection concerns. There are appropriate procedures and policies in place to record and report any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled in the childminders home and show sufficient interest in what they do. Although the childminder has a wide range of toys and creative materials because the children can not easily see or access them there is a limited choice of activities, games and toys, consequently children are not always offered sufficient challenge or variety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children form warm relationships with the childminder and enjoy her friendly, relaxed manner. They are comfortable in her home, however, opportunities to select toys for themselves and choose the activities that they wish to take part in are not sufficient. They enjoy the freedom they receive to explore and develop their own games and are adequately supported by the childminder to extend their play, for example, football game is set up in the play room and the necessary balls and counters gathered together by the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Frequent outings to the park for children to play games or ride bikes provides opportunity for them to have fun as well as support their physical development

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder helps children to settle by asking parents for appropriate information concerning their child’s routine and individual needs. She has sufficient knowledge of the each child’s individual needs and contributes adequately to children’s well being while in her care, for example, she is aware of the children's likes and dislikes and appropriately caters for these.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is generally good, they mostly respond to the childminders gentle reminders to be kind to each other and follow their example of speaking with respect. The childminder readily acknowledge appropriate and thoughtful behaviour giving specific praise in order that children understand what they have done well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder acknowledges different festivals throughout the year of most religions, however, play materials and resources do not reflect positive images of all aspects of society. Therefore, children have less opportunities to learn to acknowledge and accept differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with parents, they have provided written references to show that they are happy with the service that the childminder has provided. There is a parents notice board available with certificates, informative posters and some policies. Parents can access an information folder, service provision document and all policies and procedures available. However, the complaints procedure and system for recording complaints is currently not up to date consequently parents are not fully informed.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home and at ease in the well organised family environment. They know the childminder well and are relaxed and happy. They receive satisfactory support form 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 childminder to support their learning and enjoyment. The room is organised to ensure that the children can play safely and to effectively to develop their social skills.

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Organisation

Children are safeguarded as all other adults in the home have undergone checks to assess their suitability and there is an accurate record of children's attendances.

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Organisation

The childminder has all required documentation in place however the complaints procedure and system for recording complaints is not in line with current legislation. The childminder has sound portfolio of training certificates on various areas of childcare and is keen to increase her knowledge further. 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 was asked to develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues, this has been achieved as the childminder has completed a child protection course. In addition, the childminder was asked to develop understanding of notfiable diseases, this has been achieved and the childminder demonstrated sufficient understanding.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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): • increase opportunities for children to develop, accessibility to a sufficient range of play equipment, decision making skills and independence • ensure all debris is removed from the garden area • increase resources that provide positive representation of all diversity • ensure complaints procedure and system for recording complaints is in line with current legislation

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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 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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