Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY232373 Unique Reference Number 28 March 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 2003. She lives with her husband and their three daughters in the London Borough of Enfield. The ground floor lounge, conservatory, kitchen and dining areas, a toilet and an enclosed garden is accessible to the children.

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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 a child under three years on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends local toddler groups on a regular basis with children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder ensures that the children wash their hands after going to the toilet and before meal times. Children have their own cups for drinking and flannels for drying their hands. Their

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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 changing mats are regularly disinfected to reduce cross infection. Children play in premises that are maintained to an excellent standard of hygiene.

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Helping children to be healthy

Recording systems for accidents and of medicines administered to children are in place. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate and maintains a fully stocked first aid box. The written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice and treatment for children is also in place. This fully promotes children's health care needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s meals and snacks are provided by their parents. Drinking water is always available within children's reach and vision. The childminder ensures that they have vegetables and fruit to support their healthy eating habits. Additional dietary needs are also agreed with the children’s parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to a wide range of outdoor resources such as wheelbarrows and skittles to support their stability in walking and muscle coordination. The childminder also takes the children out to the local facilities, for example, to the park during good weather. Children have opportunities for climbing and sliding when they visit the local drop in centre and parks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises are decorated and maintained to an excellent standard; child orientated posters are also displayed, making it very welcoming for the children. The childminder has risk assessed the premises both inside and in the garden. She has taken the necessary steps to ensure their safety, for example, the pond in the garden is appropriately covered and a safety gate is fitted at the bottom of the stairs. Smoke alarms and a fire blanket are sited in the appropriate places. The fire evacuation plans are regularly practised with the children to extend their understanding of fire safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a very good range of resources that are appropriate for their ages and stages of development. These are in safe and good condition for children’s play. The childminder regularly checks and cleans children’s resources for their health and safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder understands the procedures to follow in the event of any child protection concerns. She understands the signs and symptoms that may indicate neglect and harm. The childminder is also aware of her responsibility to report such concerns to the appropriate authorities, to ensure children’s welfare is safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children happily engage in exploring the wide range of play resources with the childminder, who offers them appropriate support for their age and ability. They show interest in the bright and colourful resources that support their sensory development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s early communication skills are supported by the childminder, who closely exchanges gestures and chats with them about their activities. They are also encouraged to self select resources; this promotes their choice and independence.

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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 Children express their ideas through a variety of materials, for example, when they role play with a toy telephone and engage in art and craft activities. They are regularly taken out to visit the local groups to support their social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with equal concern and value. Their choices are valued by the childminder, this helps to build children’s self esteem and confidence. Children celebrate community festivals, such as Easter through discussions and artwork. Resources include positive images of culture and gender to support children’s awareness of differences and the wider community, although these lack positive images of disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shows a commitment to meet the needs of the children with learning difficulties and disabilities in discussion with their parents and professionals, although she lacks experience in this area.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are calm and well behaved in the care of the childminder, who is also calm and gentle. She offers children praise for their good behaviour. The childminder has a good understanding of how to manage challenging behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationship developed with their parents by the childminder. Information about the children’s progress and daily events are regularly shared to ensure consistency. The complaints procedure is in place and shared with the parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children’s care, play, development and learning needs are effectively promoted in most areas. The childminder has undergone the necessary checks to work with children and has ensured that the adult household members have also undergone the checks as required. She has attended the relevant childcare courses to increase her knowledge of child development.

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Organisation

The childminder has organised the home to promote children’s health, safety and independence. She values children’s choices and interests, to ensure that they are comfortable and settled in her care. The premises are spacious and non-restricting, offering children’s free movement and play in the dedicated areas for childminding.

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Organisation

All the required records for children’s welfare are maintained with the necessary details, for example, their health and attendance records. The childminder demonstrates a secure understanding of the National Standards for childminding.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop knowledge of child protection and the responsibilities for notifying Ofsted of significant health issues and to complete the registration course for childminding.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has since attended a child protection course and has completed the registration course for childminding. She has also developed an understanding of the National Standards

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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 for childminding, particularly relating to the notification of significant health issues. As a result, she has increased her knowledge of those areas, to ensure children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted.

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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 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): • ensure resources include positive images of disability.

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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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