The Roundhill Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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138079 Unique Reference Number 23 January 2008 Inspection date Patricia Ann Edward 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 1993. She lives with her husband and two adult children in the London Borough of Merton. The whole ground floor and first floor small bedroom and bathroom are areas of the childminder’s home 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five full and part-time, and one child before and after school. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children play in a clean environment. From an early age are they are clearly gaining a very good understanding of the importance of personal hygiene. There are highly effective daily routines that the childminder completes and promotes with children. Each child has their own tray in the bathroom, which contains their individual towel, flannel, toothbrush and toothpaste. Children

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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 wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. There are hand washing signs and books about hand washing in the bathroom, which further promotes their understanding. The childminder use thorough nappy changing routines and appropriate health and hygiene guidelines are carefully followed. This protects children from cross infection. The childminder has highly effective cleaning schedules to ensure an excellent level of hygiene is maintained at all times in all areas. In order to effectively prevent the spread of infection the childminder has a sick child policy that is shared with parents at admission.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are very well protected in the event of an accident because clear systems are in place to record any accidents for parents to sign and because the childminder has completed up to date training in first aid and keeps her first aid boxes fully stocked. Children make good healthy choices as the childminder ensures they are offered a range of healthy options to try. They benefit from good opportunities for outdoor play and exercise because the childminder makes good use of local parks for outdoor fun, games and adventures.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a broad range of healthy, balanced meals and snacks. The childminder works in a highly effective way with parents to ensure that children's individual needs are met and children are developing healthy eating habits. Parents are responsible for providing pack lunches, which are effectively stored. The childminder holds a certificate in food hygiene. She provides snacks and drinks throughout the day. Each child has a five a day just eat more fruit and vegetable mat. Details of what fruit and vegetables they have ate and how many potions it added up to is recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children’s safety within the home is ensured because the childminder has an excellent understanding of safety issues. She provides an extremely safe environment for children. Their security is assured, as rooms not used for childminding are locked and the garden is fully enclosed. Children choose from a very extensive variety of toys and resources, which are in excellent condition. The childminder checks all resources daily and routinely sorts, cleans and checks toys to ensure that they are always clean and safe for children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has outstanding systems for regularly risk assessing all areas of her home, as well as activities and resources, ensuring that children play in an extremely safe home, where all risks are minimised. Thorough risk assessments are carried out on a daily and weekly basis, which allows the childminder to constantly monitor safety, taking into account the ages and stages of development of children attending. Hazards are addressed effectively, such as lower glass made safe, electrical sockets covered, safety gates are in place and lower kitchen and dining room cupboard are fitted with locks. Children’s safety in the event of a fire is ensured because a range of fire fighting equipment is in place such as fire blanket and smoke alarms. Evacuation procedures are in place, displayed and are practised with children on a regular basis. All of which further protects children in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s safety whilst on outings, is outstanding as the childminder uses florescent bibs, to easily identify the children she cares for. She also takes a first aid box out with her and keeps children's contact details in her bag. The childminder has an excellent knowledge of all safeguarding issues and procedures, so children have comprehensive protection from abuse or neglect. Her safeguarding policy is detailed and is shared with parents, when children first attend.

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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 settle well at the childminder's house. They all arrive happy and are very enthusiastic to participate. They are extremely confident in their surroundings and enjoy their time with the childminder. They relate very well to each other and socialise with other children in the setting. Children's sense of community is very well developed through visits within the local community. For example, children access local parks and childcare groups. The childminder has an extremely calm and caring manner. She is very attentive and sensitive towards each child's individual needs. As a result, the children have extremely close relationships with her, which increases their sense of trust and helps them to develop a strong sense of self.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has an excellent selection of toys and equipment to help develop the children in the birth to three years range. For example, children can access selection baskets with different equipment from open front storage units to explore, jigsaws of differing challenges, soft toys and books. This, along with the childminder's knowledge, ensures that children develop in accordance with their age and stage of development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

An excellent range of activities is offered which helps children of all ages to extend their learning and development in varied and exciting ways. They all spend their time purposefully. For example, younger children enjoy participating in role play activities that involve trains and tracks. The childminder skilfully uses her knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' and Foundation Stage framework to adapt activities and promote their learning. For example, their communication skills are extremely well supported through the use of books and high quality interaction with the childminder. All children are highly motivated and respond very positively to the activities offered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children behave very well due to the childminder's calm and positive approach. She explains the reasons for any requests she makes of them so that they know why it is important. For example, children are encouraged to tidy up before a lunch so that the play area does not become cluttered. The childminder's behaviour policy is based on setting realistic boundaries and building children's self-esteem. She is able to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and has experience in this area. She is extremely kind and thoughtful towards the individual needs of all children and she handles situations with great sensitivity. The childminder has attended a sing and sign course, which promotes children's communication skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder warmly welcomes children and parents to her home. She makes sure that individual needs, family background and parental wishes are taken into consideration and acted upon. The childminder provides an excellent selection of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world. For example, books, dolls, personal experiences and creative activities are freely available in the home and the childminder encourages the children to follow topics and themes to supplement this. The childminder and the children have made a number of displays in the dining room which develops children's sense of achievement.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are well cared for by an experienced childminder, who demonstrates an excellent commitment to updating her knowledge and skills, in order to provide excellent care for children. She regularly updates her training, to keep her practice current, and she constantly reflects on ways to improve the service she provides for children. Courses she has completed include are you ready for your inspection, developmental play and brain gym, food safety in catering and sing and sign.

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Organisation

Children’s care is effectively supported by the well organised environment provided by the childminder. The organisation of the play space and daily routines provide children with flexible access to all activities and time and space to organise and develop their play. The children have optimum levels of comfort and safety which allows them to move around independently. They know where the toys and resources are and are able to make independent choices.

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Organisation

The childminder has comprehensive policies and procedures that have been written by her and are individual to her provision. The excellent levels of organisation ensure that all relevant information is shared with parents and that all records are in place. The childminder has daily informal discussions with parents to ensure she continues to meet individual needs.

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Organisation

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 provider was asked to revise how her documentation is organised. Since the last inspection, the provider now ensures all her regulatory documentation are all available for inspection at all times.

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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 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 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

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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