Childminder in Enfield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY306075 Inspection date 29 November 2005 Inspector Sandra Hornsby

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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 2005. He lives with his parents and brother. He works as a joint childminder with his mother. The childminder uses the dining room and the conservatory which he has converted into a play room. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. Jointly with the another registered childminder, they are registered to care for five children under eight years, alone to care for three children under eight years. Currently they are caring for three children on a full-time and part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools and takes the children to music and movement,

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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 and carer/toddler groups. The family have two rabbits. The childminder supports children with special needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder offers a clean and hygienic environment for the children to play in, where they are seeing good hygiene practices. He uses anti bacterial spray when cleaning tables and the changing mat, and when wiping children’s noses dispose of tissues appropriately. There is a verbal agreement with parents who understand that when their children are sick they do not attend. Consequently the effective daily routines and the childminders good practice prevents cross infection. The children are encouraged to participate in personal hygiene practices, such as washing hands and faces. However the childminder does not explain to the children why they are doing these tasks, so their knowledge and understanding about personal hygiene is not being promoted. The young children are offered warmth and affection through cuddles, eye contact and appropriate language interaction. This supports their emotional well-being, and a

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Helping children to be healthy

feeling of security. The childminder has a working knowledge of children under three, and their additional needs. The children's health and fitness benefits from physical play in and outdoors. The children get fresh air and exercise on a daily basis in the garden where they are offered a range of confidence building activities such as bikes, push along trucks and a trampoline. The children also benefit from going to music and movement sessions where they exercise and develop their social skills. The children are offered nutritious, home made meals and snacks help children develop healthy eating habits from a young age.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder helps the children keep safe by ensuring the environment is free from hazards so children can move about safely and independently. When out in the car and on outings children have appropriate restraints and car seats. Sleeping children are supervised fully so they can sleep and rest in comfort and security. Activities that have an element of risk, for example the trampoline are made safe by cushions being placed around it on the floor and children are supervised fully. Children have access to a range of safe and age appropriate toys and equipment. Fire precautions are in place, however the fire blanket is positioned in the playroom away from the cooker, which may be difficult to access in an emergency. Outdoor

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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 play is supervised so that children can explore and experiment freely and safely. The childminder has a good understanding about child protection procedures which promotes the safety and well-being of the children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children make their own decisions and choices about what they wish to play with by the childminder enabling children to have free access to a wide range of appropriate toys equipment and activities The children benefit from the opportunities given by the childminder, who understands how children learn. He provides an interesting and stimulating environment where planning is done so children have a wide and varied range of activities. The children are encouraged to develop confidence, self esteem through the games, imaginative play, visits to farms and trips to the park. The children enjoy their play and they benefit from the support, reassurance and praise that the childminder gives the children. The children's listening and responding skills are being developed by the childminder asking questions, and talking to the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are cared for in an environment where they are all treated equally. The childminder has a good understanding about the children in his care, he has written information and observes the children daily to ensure he meets their needs and supports their welfare. The children have access to resources and are offered play opportunities to help them understand about people’s differences, for example, through books, dolls, figures, puzzles and posters. The children visit a local theatre where the actors have special needs. The children play together and laugh together happily, they are beginning to develop a sense of belonging. The childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding about working with children with special needs and would work with families to support their needs. The children are settled, and well behaved, and appropriate strategies are used for managing behaviour. These are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

discussed and agreed with parents at the beginning of the arrangement. Good partnership with parents is ongoing. The childminder records the children events in a daily journal and parents can always discuss concerns with the childminder. This helps the continuity of care and keeps parents and childminder up to date with the children's progress and needs.

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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 The organisation is good. The children develop confidence and self esteem through an environment that is safe and organised. The childminder support children's learning and development through his knowledge and understanding of child development, and he uses the Birth to Three framework in his practice. The childminder works closely with another registered childminder and together they ensure children remain safe and well cared for. Parents are aware of the joint working and agree for their children to be cared for by both childminders. All regulatory documents are in place and children's information up to date which supports the children's welfare. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom he provides

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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 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): • improve fire precautions by ensuring fire blanket is sited in an appropriate position • promote children's knowledge and understanding of personal hygiene tasks

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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 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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