Childminder in Enfield

Inspection report for early years provision

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160033 Unique Reference Number 20 January 2008 Inspection date Julia Louise Crowley 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 satisfactory. 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two daughters aged nine and seven, in Enfield within the London Borough of Enfield. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding apart from the master bedroom. 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding four children all part time. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in an adequately clean, comfortable and hygienic environment. They stay healthy because the childminder follows up to date environmental heath and hygiene guidelines. For

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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 example, the house is risk assessed every day, prior to the arrival of children and toys and play equipment thoroughly cleaned, consequently children's safety is sufficiently safeguarded.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has all necessary policies and procedures in place for example, accident records, administration of medicines and consent for emergency medical treatment. Therefore proper care and follow up for children is adequately maintained. However, the childminder is not sufficiently familiar with her responsibility to notify Ofsted of any communicable diseases or food poisoning.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have a sufficient understanding simple good health and hygiene practices. For example, washing they hands before eating and after toileting, not sharing cups and using tissues appropriately. They understand that this prevents the spread of germs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are adequately nourished because the childminder provides healthy snacks and meals such as, home made Spaghetti Bolognese, Shepherds pie, fresh vegetables and fruit. They have a general understanding of what foods are good for them. This is supported by books, posters and the childminders gentle reminders.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy frequent physical activity. For example, while attending local childcare groups and visiting local parks. Children enjoy opportunities to develop small motor skills because the childminder provides cutting and sticking activities, threading and playdough. Children's confidence grows as they manipulate the dough and cut with the small tools provided.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a sufficient knowledge of what to do should an emergency take place consequently children are cared for in the event of an accident or illness.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, well maintained and safe house. The childminder successfully displays relevant information for parents as well as the children's creative work consequently children feel a sense of belonging and the parents are kept well informed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children effectively use a wide range of suitable and safe equipment because the childminder has a good understanding of child development and provides appropriate and safe toys. Children independently access the toys from large boxes at floor level or storage units that are at child height. Toys and play equipment are well organised, so that children can make choices independently and safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe through discussion. For example, children know how to keep safe when walking to and from school and have opportunities to practise the fire evacuation procedure. The childminder supports the children understanding by offering gentle reminders and through using books to illustrate how to stay safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are effectively protected because childminder understands her role in child protection procedures approved by the Local Safeguarding Children Board. She fully understands her responsibility to protect the welfare of the child.

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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 good. Children play enthusiastically with toys and play equipment that are provided by the childminder. For example, they play with a range of small figures and create an imaginary game. The childminder has a good knowledge of child development, consequently the children are interested and challenged by the toys presented to them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are relaxed and confident as they move around the house. They develop confidence and self esteem because the childminder offers them plenty of encouragement and praise. She answers their questions and responds positively to requests and comments. The childminder has a good understanding of the children interests and abilities and caters for these effectively therefore the children enthusiastically play and are well behaved.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make positive relationships because the childminder provides opportunities for the children to mix with other children and adults at childcare groups. They are confident and comfortable, secure in the childminders care. Children begin to effectively distinguish between right and wrong as they learn to share and play together. Children's understanding is supported through the childminder offering the children time to consider their actions and discuss the consequences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well cared for by the childminder who works with parents to meet the children individual needs. For example, parents are offered time to settle their child thoroughly before the arrangement begins. The childminder gathers information to ensure that the child's needs are adequately met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children enjoy a sense of belonging because the childminder provides toys that interests the individual children, display their creative work and ensure all of the play equipment and toys are accessible. Children successfully make choices and take decisions. They know what they want to play with and what they would like to eat at snack time. For example, children are offered a choice of fresh fruits at snack time, they consider their options and confidently make their choice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children play with toys and play equipment that represents themselves and the wider community, encouraging them to have positive attitudes towards others. Children are generally well behaved and responsive to the childminder. The childminder uses effective strategies for managing behaviour. This helps children learn to understand right from wrong and play together harmoniously, they take turns and show concern for one another.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works successfully with parents. She provides copies of all policies and procedures and comprehensive records such as a range of consent forms covering a variety of events, such as using sun cream and using public transport consequently the parents are well informed.

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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 good. Children benefit from the childminder's good organisation of the premises providing them with sufficient space to play and access resources. Children feel at home and at ease, daily routines provide children with opportunities to rest and relax as well as be busy and actively occupied.

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Organisation

The childminder continues to update her childcare knowledge by regularly attending courses consequently children receive up to date care and ideas. The childminder has identified training that she feels will further improve the quality of care that she offers.

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Organisation

The childminder and all other adults have undergone checks to assess their suitability and there is an accurate record of children's attendances. Children are protected from harm as the childminder has a clear understanding of the policies and procedures that must be used in emergency situation. 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 CM was asked to ensure that appropriate safety measures are made to the premises and that parents receive all written documentation required. The childminder has successfully completed these requirement. Documentation available to parents includes, a complaints procedure, written permission for emergency treatment and administration of medicines. There is now a full first aid box and the premises has been made adequately safe consequently children safety is promoted and parents are kept fully informed.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • increase awareness of responsibility to notify ofsted of communicable diseases and food poisoning.

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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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