Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY245293 Unique Reference Number 21 January 2008 Inspection date Asia Islam 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 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 April 2003. She lives with her two sons, who are six and 15 years old. They live in the Hornsey area of the London borough of Haringey. Children have access to the whole of the ground floor, the first floor bedroom and a bathroom. An enclosed garden is available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years. She currently has three children under three years on roll. Children are regularly taken out to visit the local drop-in centres and facilities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and clean environment, where the childminder has developed good hygiene routines. However, sometimes children share the same towel for drying their hands. This practice does not help to fully reduce the risks from any cross infections. A step is available to help children reach the toilet and hand basin in the bathroom but this is not available

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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 in the kitchen, where the childminder lifts the children to support them to reach the kitchen sink for washing their hands after a painting activity. This means their independence is not always effectively encouraged. The procedures to follow for any accidents, illness and the administration of medications are in place to ensure children's health needs are fully met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with nutritional meals and snacks to promote their healthy eating habits. Their lunch is varied and includes mixed vegetables, meat, pasta and salads. Children have fruits for their mid-morning snack. They eagerly follow the childminder's instructions to choose the fruits and they say to each other, "Time to have fruits, I like orange mmm" and "I'm hungry are you?" They comfortably sit down together to eat. Drinking water is provided regularly but it is not always available to meet their thirst needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to an enclosed garden for outdoor play. A suitable range of resources, such as a slide, seesaw and bikes, is arranged in the garden to support their energetic play. The childminder takes the children out on a daily basis to visit the local parks and facilities to provide them with challenging outdoor play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's interests are safeguarded because the childminder is aware of the procedures to follow in the event of any child protection concerns. The safety and security measures are in place to minimise any risks, for example, hazardous areas of the home are made out of bounds to children, with safety gates and locks. Smoke alarms and fire blankets are fitted in the appropriate places. Outdoor facilities and the car are risk assessed for children's safety. Toys and equipment are maintained in good and safe condition for children's play. Posters relating to colours, food and fruits are displayed to make the environment child friendly.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy the time with their peers and the childminder. They hold conversations with each other, which indicates the strong relationships between them. Children have access to a suitable range of resources for their age and ability. These are stored within children's easy reach to promote choice and independence. Children eagerly take part in the creative activity, they explore paints and do printing and hand painting using the sponge, potatoes and brushes. Children confidently and happily use these to make colourful prints. They say "Look I'm painting" and express words such as "plop, splosh" as they print. They animate each other's words and readily call out the colours. Children show excitement and delight as they see the effects of the colours. They amicably share the tools for painting with each other. The childminder pays good attention to children's expressions. She follows children's gestures and asks the children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

what they want to do often, to extend their play. When children take off their apron the childminder asks "Are you finished painting or do you want to do more? You know we have to wear aprons when we paint". After this activity, they self select play resources from the storage area and imitate home situations together with peers and in sole play. They pretend to pour tea from a kettle, warm up food in the microwave oven and telephone their parents. Children keenly engage in the activities provided by the childminder, who also joins in their play and sings nursery songs, and counts fingers as they make finger prints, to support their development. The childminder has recently started to use the Birth to three matters framework to observe and assess younger children's achievements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's awareness about themselves and the wider community is developed through organised visits to the local facilities and access to some books and dolls reflecting positive images of cultures, within the childminder's home. Children's preferences are valued and encouraged by the childminder to support their self esteem and security. The childminder is committed to ensure that the needs of the children with learning difficulties and disabilities are supported together with parents and professionals. Children play and behave very well with each other, which means they are settled and happy. The childminder is a good role model to them as she is very gentle, calm and enthusiastic with the children, who in response eagerly follow her suggestions and guidance. There are good relationships between them and they know each other well. There are strong working relationships between the childminder and the parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Both past and present parents have expressed very positive comments about the care and affection their children have received from the childminder. She is aware of the current regulations relating to the complaints procedure and shares this with the parents. There is a recording system in place for this purpose.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She has undergone the necessary vetting procedures for suitability. She organises the play resources to encourage children's independent exploration and choice. Children's activities are provided and supported with enthusiasm, which helps them to acquire a love for creativity, such as painting and printing. However, there is some inconsistency in the childminder's practices with regards to health and hygiene. The required records for children are effectively in place and promote their safety, for example, children's attendance records are up to date with the necessary details. The childminder has a secure understanding of the requirements for childminding as she displays the registration certificate for parents' information. The childminder has attended relevant childcare courses to ensure she provides quality childcare. She shares

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Organisation

the setting's polices and procedures with the parents to ensure they are well informed about her services. Children are relaxed and happy in the childminder's care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has developed children's attendance records to include the daily arrival and departure times. She has also extended the range of resources to include some positive images of culture, gender and disability. These help to promote children's safety and their awareness about diversity.

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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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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 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): • enhance the hygiene procedures for drying children's hands • ensure drinking water is always available within children's reach.

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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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