Childminder in Enfield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY306058 Inspection date 29 November 2005 Inspector Sandra Hornsby

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2005. She lives with her husband and two grown up sons. The childminder uses the dining room and the conservatory which she has converted into a play room. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder works jointly with another registered childminder; together they are registered to care for five children under eight years; alone to care for three children under eight years. Currently they are caring for three children on a full-time and part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools and takes the children to music and movement, and carer/toddler groups. The family have two rabbits. The

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 childminder supports children with special needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children's health is being promoted by the childminder offering a clean and hygienic environment. The childminder uses gloves when changing the children's nappies and anti bacterial spray when cleaning tables and the changing mat. The childminder has a verbal agreement with parents who understand that when their children are sick they do not attend. The effective procedures in place help prevent the spread of infection among the children. When children have colds and runny noses there is a procedure in place which keeps the children as free from infection as possible, and keep their faces fresh and clean. The children are encouraged to wash and dry their own hands and faces. However the childminder does not explain to the children why they are doing these tasks, so their knowledge and understanding about personal hygiene is not being promoted. The young children are offered warmth and affection through cuddles, eye contact

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Helping children to be healthy

and appropriate language interaction. This supports their emotional well-being. The children's health and fitness benefits from physical play indoor and outdoors, and children being offered an appropriate home made healthy and nutritious diet. The children have fun, get fresh air and exercise on a daily basis in the garden where they are offered a range of confidence building activities such as bikes, push along trucks and a trampoline.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children have access to a safe environment where they can move around independently without fear of hurting themselves. Most fire precautions are in place, however the fire blanket is positioned in the playroom away from the cooker, which may be difficult to access in an emergency. The childminder helps the children to keep safe by preparing the environment for activities that have an element of risk. For example, when offering the trampoline, cushions are placed around it on the floor and children are supervised fully. As the children are young the childminder chooses toys and equipment that are suitable and safe, and appropriate to their age and stages of development. Outdoor play is supervised so that children can explore and experiment freely. The childminder has a good understanding about child protection issues, which promotes the safety and well-being of the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children have access to a wide range of very suitable toys, equipment, and

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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 activities, where they make their own decisions and choices about what they wish to play with. As the children are young the childminder directs and supports them in their choice by having equipment low down and easily accessible. The childminder changes the equipment during the day which keeps the children interested and stimulated. The children benefit from the many interesting opportunities given by the childminder, who understands how they learn. Planning is done so children have a wide and varied range giving them experiences of, for example different textures, sounds and physical activity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children enjoy their play and they benefit from the effective support, reassurance and praise that the childminder gives the children. The children are encouraged to develop confidence, self esteem and confront their fears through play and activities planned by the childminder, in partnership with parents. For example, children with a fear of dogs and animals can be slowly introduced to these, in games imaginative play, visits to farms and trips to the park. The children's listening and responding skills are being developed by the childminder asking questions, and talking to the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are in an environment where they are all treated as individuals. The childminder has a good understanding about the children in her care and ensures the children's needs have been identified and met, and their differences respected. The children are surrounded by resources and play opportunities to help them understand about people being different, for example, books, dolls, figures, puzzles and posters. The children also visit a local theatre where the actors have special needs. The children are aware of each other, as they play and laugh together, and are beginning to develop a sense of belonging. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding about working with children with special needs and would work with families to support their needs. The children are settled, and well behaved, and the childminder uses appropriate strategies for managing behaviour. These are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

discussed and agreed with parents at the beginning of the arrangement. Good partnership with parents is ongoing. The childminder records the children events in a daily journal and parents can always discuss concerns with the childminder. This helps the continuity of care and keeps parents and childminder up to date with the children's progress and needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder takes her role very seriously and this is evident in the organisation and her understanding of her role in supporting children. The childminder keeps her knowledge up to date and attends courses which is above and beyond what is required.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The children benefit from having access to an environment that is safe and organised which helps them develop confidence and self-esteem. The childminder has a good understanding about children's development, and her role in providing play opportunities to support children's learning and development. The childminder works closely with another registered childminder and together they ensure children remain safe and well cared for. Parents are aware of the joint working and agree for their children to be cared for by both childminders. All regulatory documents are in place and children's information up to date which supports the children's welfare. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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): • promote children's knowledge and understanding of personal hygiene tasks • improve fire precautions by ensuring fire blanket is sited in an appropriate position

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website:

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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 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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