Moss Field Community School

Inspection report for early years provision

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105795 Unique Reference Number 12 March 2008 Inspection date Maria Therese Conroy 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 1995. She lives with her husband and adult son in a terraced house in a residential area of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a secure outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for three children at any one time and is currently minding three children who attend on various days. The childminder attends local pre-school groups and regularly takes children to the park. The family have a dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is an accredited member of the Kensington and Chelsea Childminding Network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean, hygienic home where they are learning good hygiene practices, for example they wash their teeth after meal times and independently wash and dry their hands before eating food. The childminder has an up to date first aid certificate, which ensures she

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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 is equipped to deal with minor accidents if they occur. A record of medication administered to children is maintained and contains most of the required information; however there is no record of parents prior written consent in place, to administer the medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder encourages healthy eating with the children by providing a variety of healthy snacks for example fresh fruit and raisins. Parents' wishes are met as the childminder serves the food which they have provided and gives written update in the form of the daily diary, of how well children have eaten. Children are provided with age appropriate utensils and suitable seating allowing them to sit comfortably and enjoy their food.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is committed to encouraging children's physical development throughout the daily routine and the activities provided. For example children walk to and from local toddler groups, they love to run through the leaves and go to the local park where they climb, slide and enjoy the swing. Children concentrate as they dance around the kitchen and have fun as they take part in parachute games.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The areas used by the children are safe and secure. The childminder has taken positive steps to ensure her home is safe for young children to move around and explore freely. The children can access an attractive well organised play area where they can independently access a good range of age appropriate toys, books and equipment which are of good quality. Children are provided with suitable equipment to allow them to sleep, eat and rest comfortably for example rest mats with individual bedding.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A written fire evacuation procedure is in place and practised with the children, which ensure they are familiar with the steps to be taken in the event of having to leave the premises in an emergency. In addition a fire blanket and an extinguisher are available in the kitchen area. When on outings children are kept safe through the use of fluorescent tabards, wrist bands and reins.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected as a well written child protection procedure is in place containing all the necessary details. The childminder has attended training for child protection and has a secure knowledge of the steps to be taken in the event of having to make a referral. Children's welfare is protected as the childminder has a reciprocal arrangement in place with two local registered childminders in the event of an emergency, who children and parents are familiar with.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are having a wonderful time in the setting, they are very happy and extremely well supported by the childminder, who thoroughly enjoys being with them. Children are making strides in their developmental progress for example very young children confidently point out various letters of the alphabet and clearly understand what they stand for, such as 'm' for mummy. Children's vocabulary is continually extended by the childminder who talks to the children and gives them opportunities to discuss what they see and hear. Children are supported in their language development through the use of 'wow baby' signing, which they use as they sing familiar songs such as 'walking in the jungle' and through routine activities such as drawing.

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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 take part in a wealth of exciting, stimulating activities that encourage their all round development. The activities consist of those that are home based and those that are provided through the various toddler groups that they attend. They are learning about their environment as they talk about how things grow, they plant peas and tend to flowers; they make a bird feeder and enjoy spotting the variety of birds it attracts, through the kitchen window. In addition children are taken on interesting outings throughout the year, such as the 'aquarium' and the 'enchanted forest'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Very young children concentrate for long periods of time, they thoroughly enjoy using play dough. They skilfully mould the dough into the shape maker and enthusiastically tell the childminder what they have made. Children are developing their balance and co-ordination skills, they love to dance as they sway their arms in the air and lift each leg in turn moving from one foot to another; they tell the childminder they are dancing like 'upsy daisy'. Children are confident in completing puzzles and enjoy identifying the different animals, the childminder gives them the necessary support but allows them to problem solve for themselves. Children confidently count during the daily routine for example; they count the number of pieces in the puzzles, the buttons on their coat and the number of shapes they have made out of play dough.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have many opportunities to investigate natural play materials, they enjoy both wet and dry sand, which is made more interesting by adding various materials such as shells and dried paint. They tip and pour water in the tray, enjoy blowing bubbles through straws and playing with the many different types of play fish. Young children are developing their mark making skills as they use chunky pencils to draw their favourite animal; they draw a shape and confidently tell the childminder 'it’s a triangle'. Children are developing their creative skills as they take part in numerous art and craft activities for example they make bubbles with the paint using straws, they design colleges using various materials and paint a variety of animal shapes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very much treated as individuals and the childminder knows them very well. The childminder plans activities to support children's individual needs and circumstances; for example children have recently had the dolls out changing their nappy and feeding them in preparation for a new arrival in the family. Children are learning about diversity through the many well planned activities for example they make cards for 'Easter', make candle holders for 'Diwali', use various musical instruments and dress in costumes from around the world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved, they are encouraged to have good manners and be kind to one another. The childminder speaks to children in a gentle tone. Children are confident and self assured due to the childminder continually promoting their self esteem and confidence by praising them; for example 'that’s brilliant, well done'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is good. They are kept well informed through the daily diary which is sent home with children, photographic evidence of children taking part in activities and through the art and craft work children take home. A well organised file is accessible for parents that contains details of the childminder's practices such as complaints procedure, certificates of achievement, details of courses attended and parents' references. Parents comment 'the childminder is a very special person, I consider myself blessed to have had her as my child's carer during those formative years'.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder is well organised, the play environment is attractively laid out to encourage children to participate independently in all the activities provided. For example books are placed in a box at low level to allow children to help themselves and children's photos are placed on a low level hook which allows them to develop their independence skills. The childminder gives thought to the activities she provides and links them together to promote children's learning; for example children paint jungle animals, they sing their favourite song 'walking in the jungle' and the jungle animals are also put out for children to use. The childminder spends quality time playing with the children throughout the day and gives them the attention they need to feel safe and secure. The childminder has completed numerous courses to ensure she keeps fully updated with childcare practices and changes to legislation.

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Organisation

The childminder is part of the quality approved network for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, which allows her to review her practices on a regular basis. Paperwork is well organised and there are many well written policies and procedures in place, which enables prospective parents to be clearly informed of how the childminder operates and how she intends to care for their child. The majority of the regulatory paperwork is in place and well maintained, however the records relating to medication do not contain prior written consent to administer medication, which is a breach of regulation.

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Organisation

The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to include Ofsted as the regulator to be informed of allegations of abuse within the setting in the child protection statement. This information has now been added to the child protection procedure, which protects children.

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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):

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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 • ensure prior written parental consent is obtained before administering medication to children

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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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