Childminder in Camden

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY297564 Inspection date 05 August 2005 Inspector Catherine Greene

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The Childminder has been registered since 2004. She lives with her 2 children aged 11 and 12 years. They live in a 2 bed roomed flat on the first floor. The living room is the main area of the home used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed patio, play area. The home is situated in Chalk farm, which is a mainly residential area and is culturally diverse. There are local parks, playgrounds and drop in groups within walking distance, which the childminder uses as part of her childminding day.

p.2

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 She has NVQ level 3 and has attended a local authority childminding registration course. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a bright, clean and well maintained home. Hygiene standards are good throughout and the childminder builds good hygiene practice into her daily routines. Older children are encouraged positively to learn about the benefits of hand washing and changing arrangements for younger children are comfortable and well managed. The childminder has a sickness policy that she shares with parents, this helps to ensure that children are protected from infectious illnesses. She has medication consent documents but has not recorded some medicine given to children. She understands that all medicine including homeopathic must be recorded and parents written consent obtained. Parents are consulted closely about children's care and dietary needs and the childminder takes good account of their wishes. She demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of healthy eating and indicates that children are provided with a well

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

balanced choice of organic meals and snacks. The childminder understands well the importance of providing children with opportunities for physical exercise and outdoor play and ensures trips out form part of each daily routine.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Safety is well promoted in the childminder's comfortable and secure home. Children are able to play in comfort as the childminder organises space well and takes good practical safety precautions. Older children are encouraged to behave in a responsible way and are clear about the boundaries set to protect their physical safety. On outings they learn good road safety practice from the childminder. The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to safeguarding the overall welfare of children. She has a good understanding of Child Protection and is knowledgeable about the procedures she must follow if she has any concerns about a child. She also holds a valid First Aid certificate that is displayed for parents on her notice board. The good range of early learning toys and equipment used by children are well cared for and made easily accessible. The childminder has stated that she ensures that

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children are supervised at all times when enjoying the paddling pool on the patio, and that she drains it of water when it is not in use. Safety equipment is in place with the exception of corner covers on a cabinet in the living room that are in need of replacing.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how children learn and develop and translates this into good childcare practice. Children are provided with a wide range of social experiences that support their development and the childminder's attentive approach helps ensure they feel secure and valued. Children are provided with a good range of early learning experiences through play. Activities are well balanced and include opportunities for children to socialise with others at local playgroups and drop in centres. Parents are aware of the routine and places the childminder visits on a regular basis, which helps keep them keep well informed about their child's daily routines. There is a good range of well cared for early learning toys and equipment to support children's development in all areas.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with respect and their individual needs are met well by the childminder. She liaises closely with parents to establish flexible routines for new children. She uses a range of effective ways to keep parents well informed about their child's progress and demonstrates an open and welcoming approach. Children are happy in the childminder's home because she values and respects their individuality, culture and language. The childminder has ensured that she knows key words in one child's home language in order to support him, helping to further develop his language. The range of good quality early learning toys and equipment for children of all ages positively supports their learning and development. They provide positive images of diversity in a very good range of books and puzzles. Children are actively encouraged to show care and concern for others and the childminder's clear behaviour policy is based on setting realistic expectations, that

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

children can easily understand and respond to.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well organised, she has a routine that works well with children's interests as priority. Documentation relating to childminding activities are mostly well maintained and made available to parents. The childminder keeps parents well informed about their children's progress through daily feed back and a diary. This provides additional reassurance to parents that children's progress is being

p.4

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 monitored. The childminder is well informed about child development, childminding standards and keeps up to date with relevant health and safety publications. The childminder is qualified in NVQ level 3 Childcare and Education and demonstrates a commitment to further developing her professional childcare skills. The setting is meeting the needs of all the children for whom it provides care.

p.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • make sure that low-level coffee table edges are safe or inaccessible • Ensure that the paddling pool is drained after use and that children are supervised at all times • obtain written permission from parents before administering medication, including homeopathic remedies to children

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5