The Farnley Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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137577 Unique Reference Number 07 December 2007 Inspection date Daphne Prescott 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 outstanding. 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 1995. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and 14 years in Kensal Rise in the London borough of Brent. The whole of the 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 six children at any one time. She works with her husband who is also a registered childminder and is currently minding a total of 10 children under five full and part time. Children attend different days of the week.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group and is a member of a local childminder net work. The family has a dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's health is extremely well promoted by consistent high standards of hygiene. The childminder has a through understanding of the importance of good personal hygiene and

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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 encourages children to learn about why it is important to wash their hands regularly. Children are provided with individual paper towels and bed linen, which prevents cross contamination. A clear and effective sick child policy is in place and shared with parents so that they fully understand the childminder's responsibility to ensure all children's good health and the action they must take when their children are ill. Children's welfare is safeguarded exceptionally well as the childminder adheres to appropriate procedures for recording accidents, incidents and medications. The childminder has policies and procedures in place to deal with accidents and to administer medication. She has a valid first aid certificate to enable her to effectively treat children in an emergency, should the need arise.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with lovely wholesome meals that are appealing to them and meet their individual dietary needs. The childminder's menu planning is very good and includes a varied range of home cooked fresh foods. Menus are displayed for parents to view. Children are able to sit comfortably at the table to eat their meals and enjoy relaxed and sociable meal times as they chat to the childminder and enjoy eating their food. Younger children are fed in warm comfortable surroundings; they are happy as they sit and eat in a high chair with support from the childminder. Children are developing a good understanding of the importance of healthy eating and have discussions about eating five fruit and vegetables a day. Drinks are available at all times and children confidently request a drink when needed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical health is very well promoted by the childminder. They benefit from daily outings to local parks where they can run around in the fresh air. They also have access to a lovely garden where they have access to wide variety of toys and equipment that encourages their physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are relaxed and very happy at the childminder's home. They greatly benefit by being cared for in a comfortable and safe environment. They are able to eat, play and rest comfortably because the childminder has considered the use of space in her home. Children use high quality equipment and resources with enjoyment and excitement which are appropriate to their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is extremely vigilant about safety and gives excellent priority to keeping children safe in the home, enabling them to move around with confidence. For example, a safety gate is in place to prevent children having unsupervised access to the kitchen. The childminder gives excellent attention to making sure children will be safe in an emergency. She has devised detailed comprehensive written evacuation procedures, which are practised with the children and records of fire drills are maintained. The childminder completes written risk assessments which help to ensure that her home remains safe. There are very good procedures to ensure that the children remain safe on outings, the childminder complete a written risk assessment. She teaches the children to cross roads safely and their understanding of road safety is reinforced at every opportunity. The children are able to tell the childminder that when

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

crossing the road you need to look left and right.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is strongly promoted by the childminder, who has a comprehensive understanding of child protection policies and procedures. She has devised a child protection policy which is shared with parents. The childminder is aware of the indicators of abuse and the procedures for reporting any concerns.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very settled and extremely confident within the childminder's home. They have lovely relationships with the childminder and with each other. As a result, children explore and make good use of the variety of play equipment. Interaction between the children and the childminder is of a very high quality. The childminder displays an enthusiastic interest in the children and responds quickly to requests and questions. The childminders comprehensive knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework results in children being busy and fully occupied. The childminder understands how children learn and develop and provides suitable challenges and support as a result children make excellent progress.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They have a lovely time as the toys and activities engage the children's attention and encourage their learning. Children are motivated and thoroughly enjoy free choice of toys and activities. They are involved and engage in activities to develop exploration; such as, collecting leaves and looking closely at wild life in the garden. They have a wonderful time being imaginative as they play with their dolls; they sit on the settee and feed a doll in their arms. They lay all the dollies down for a sleep and cover them with a blanket. The childminder enthusiastically talks and consistently commentates to the children to extend their understanding and language skills. She asks them questions and always responds to encourage them to communicate. Babies are beginning to make early attempts at finding their voice, they make sounds to make contact and respond to the childminder's voice as she talks to them. Children are developing their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

problem solving skills as they fit puzzles together, build with bricks and post shapes. They specially enjoy story time as they sit and listen to a range of suitable stories. The childminder reads a story about a scarecrow and uses a story sack with very good props to extend children's learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children get pleasure from outings to the toddler group which gives them opportunities to explore a wider range of activities and enjoy relationships with other children. The children's personalities are well understood by the childminder and this means that, she is able to encourage their happiness by providing for their individual interests. They are having lots of fun as they learn through play. As a result, children are very happy and content.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are very settled and confident because they feel a strong sense of belonging as the childminder knows the children extremely well; she values and respects their individuality. She treats all children with equal concern and aims to meet their individual care needs. This means that she is able to provide for them and ensure their needs are constantly met. The childminder supports children’s individual sleep and feeding patterns and the day is organised to incorporate both active and quiet times. As a result, babies and children are clearly settled.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder reacts gently and positively to develop children's learning of right and wrong, which encourages children to play harmoniously together. They are developing their confidence as the childminder praises their efforts. Children with learning difficulties or disabilities are welcome in the childminder’s home as she has a positive attitude towards this area of childcare. The children have very good opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the wider world through many discussions on; different faiths, finding out about important events and acknowledging these within the home.

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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 An excellent partnership with parents contributes significantly to children's wellbeing. The childminder has a caring and sensitive approach to ensuring parents feel confident in the care she provides. An excellent amount of written information and extensive procedures are available for parents. The childminder ensure parents are kept well informed about their child's day and shares written developmental information about their child's progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's care is greatly enhanced by the exceptional quality of the organisation of the setting. The home is extremely well organised to maximise children's play and learning opportunities. Children feel comfortable and at ease within this homely environment. The childminder organises the day to include quiet and busy times, in and outdoors. This helps to promote all areas of the children's development. The childminder is very warm and affectionate towards the children who are relaxed and happy in her care. Their individual needs are met through flexible routines and they receive lots of individual attention.

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Organisation

All records and documentation are extremely well organised and consistently maintained. This contributes to the efficient management of the childminding provision. All legally required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and wellbeing is in place. These are shared with parents to keep them well informed about their child's progress. This contributes to excellent continuity of care.

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Organisation

Children benefit from a highly motivated and skilled childminder, who is committed to improvement and development. The childminder has attended relevant training courses and is very keen to constantly develop her knowledge and skills to benefit children. For example, she regularly attends childminders' forums to keep up to date with current issues.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure medical sheets contain each child's full name. The childminder records the child's full name on medical sheets promoting their safety and wellbeing.

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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 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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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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