Sir Thomas Wharton Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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144364 Unique Reference Number 11 January 2008 Inspection date Rosemary Coburn 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 has been minding for the past 12 years. She lives with her partner and two children aged seven years old and nine years old in a two bedroom flat situated in a residential area in the London Borough of Hackney. The main areas used for childminding are the sitting room, kitchen, bathroom, separate toilet and one of the bedrooms. The childminder is registered to care for four children aged from birth to eight years. There is currently one child on roll. the childminder is a member of an approved Childminding Network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through well organised routines. There are effective procedures in place to prevent the spread of infection. For example the childminder washes her hands before preparing children's feeding bottles and uses disposable gloves when changing children's nappies. Children who are sick do not attend the setting. This prevents the spread of contagious ailments. Parents give prior written consent to administer medication. This ensures that children receive the correct dosage according to their needs. However,

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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 children's health is not fully supported as the childminder does not hold a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a food policy in place which is designed to ensure that children receive food and refreshments which supports their home routines and feeding patterns. Children are offered a range of snacks which are nutritious and helps them to develop healthy eating habits. This means that the childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating for under fives while supporting children's individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play and relax within premises that are clean, suitably maintained and well organised. This enables children to grow and develop in an environment that is comfortable and allows them to move around freely and safely. Children have easy and safe access to toys and resources that are stimulating and suitable for all children's stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The setting is regularly risk assessed and all resources and equipment checked to ensure that they are in good condition and safe for children to use. Children benefit from a good range of safety measures such as socket covers, cupboard locks and fire evacuation procedures. However, access to the kitchen area is not suitably restricted. This means that children and babies are exposed to potential dangers. Security of the premises is good and ensures that children are unable to leave without a suitable adult.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare and safety is suitably protected as the childminder demonstrates a suitable understanding of her responsibilities to safeguard children in her care. However, the childminder is not fully informed of current safeguarding children procedures and she is insecure in her knowledge and understanding of the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation of abuse being made against her or any other member of her household. This means that children's well-being is not fully supported.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from good daily routines which gives them a sense of security and belonging so that they can explore the environment with confidence. The childminder is aware of and accepts babies' pace of learning and allows them sufficient time to enjoy and make connections through the use of all of their senses. For example, the childminder interacts very closely with babies through giving lots of hugs, cuddles, talking to them reassuringly and giving them time to respond through repetition of their movement and sounds.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder learns about children's needs from regular discussions with parents, observations and record keeping to document events that take place during the course of the day. This ensures a good two-way flow of information which supports the shared management of children's learning and development. The childminder has a good understanding of how children grow and develop and supports them effectively in making progress. For example, the childminder recognises signs of tiredness in babies and she acts on this knowledge to plan and support appropriate periods of rest and activity during the course of the day.

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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 become aware of their own and other cultures through a good range of toys, resources and planed activities. Children are given opportunities to celebrate a variety of festivals and special events such as for example birthdays and community events. This means that children learn to acknowledge and accept differences which promotes a positive attitude towards diversity. There are good systems in place including links with outside agencies to support children who have special needs. For example, the childminder uses Makaton which helps children who have learning difficulties.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from good behaviour management strategies. This helps them to understand right from wrong. and supports them in being able to respond effectively to any guidance and praise. Parents receive good information about their children's daily routines. For example, the childminder completes a daybook for parents giving information about their child, their daily activities, food intake and sleep. This sharing of information ensures good quality of care and enhances children's learning.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from being cared for in a well organised child friendly environment where they receive good adult support to help them feel secure and confident. Children benefit from a good variety of activities to promote their all round learning and development. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude toward training and is currently undertaking a level 3 course of studies. The childminder has also received Quality Assurance approval as part of the Children Come First childminding network. This enables her to provide good care for the children she looks after.

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Organisation

The organisation of the childminding is effective in promoting positive outcome for children. Children's general well-being is promoted by well documented information. The childminder is aware of the need to keep, maintain and display the required documentation. Regular informal discussions with parents ensure continuity of care for the children and helps promote their welfare. Consequently this means that the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder ensure that children's attendance is recorded daily; ensure that parents provide written consent for their child to be photographed and videoed whilst in the childminder's care; improve some aspects of dealing with children's behaviour by developing knowledge and understanding of the Guidance to the National Standards on managing children's behaviour; make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if a complaint is to be made; provide toys and resources, which depict those with special needs. Children's attendance is now suitably recorded and written consent for children to be photographed is now in place. Children benefit from good behaviour management strategies which helps them to understand right from wrong. A suitable complaints policy in is place and children are provided with suitable opportunities

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Improvements since the last inspection

to learn about differences and there are good systems in place including to support children who have special needs.

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Improvements 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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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. 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): • obtain copy of local safeguarding children policies and procedures • ensure that children do not have access to the kitchen • ensure that an appropriate first aid certificate is in place which is suitable for children and young babies.

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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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