Northfield Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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117916 Unique Reference Number 28 November 2007 Inspection date Jean Williams 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 has been registered since 1993. She lives in a house in West Ealing in the London borough of Ealing within walking distance of local bus routes and amenities. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding, with toilet and rest facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for three children under eight years. There are currently three children on roll under eight years and two children over eight years. All children attend the setting on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained home. They learn about good hygiene and are encouraged to remember to wash their hands at appropriate times during the day. The

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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 childminder uses anti bacterial gel on children's hands when outside the home to maintain hygiene. The childminder has good procedures in place to prevent the spread of infection when attending to children's personal needs, such as when changing nappies and children do not attend if they unwell with an infectious illness.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is protected as the childminder has attended first aid training and can give appropriate care if a child is sick or has a minor accident. Systems are in place for the recording of accidents but the recording of medication administration is inconsistently maintained and results in information not always being recorded. Written parental consent for emergency medical treatment has not been sought for every child and this compromises children's welfare in the event of an emergency occurring.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet. The childminder ensures the children's dietary needs are met and is very aware of their individual preferences. They enjoy the varied and nutritious meals and snacks that the childminder provides. Children are offered a selection of fruits for snacks and can access their drink as required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a safe environment because the childminder has taken precautions to minimise hazards. The space is organised to meet children's needs, enabling them to move around freely. Toys and play materials are stored, so children can reach them easily and make choices about what they wish to do. Resources are safe and appropriate for the age and stage of the children being cared for.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear fire evacuation plan in place in case of an emergency. Smoke alarms are fitted and checked on a regular basis, however, the fire blanket is not fitted according to the manufacturer's instructions. This compromises children's safety in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is vigilant about safety outside the home and supervises children closely when out walking and crossing roads. The childminder does not have written parental consent from every parent to take the children out.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is adequately safeguarded because the childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of the possible signs and symptoms of child abuse and understands the reporting procedures to follow if she is concerned about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The current minded children are cared for after school by the childminder. They are very happy and settled in her care and are very familiar with the routines. The childminder knows the children well, because she has been caring for most of them for some years. Children are making steady progress in their development because they have access to a variety of toys and play materials. Toys and games are stored to enable children to make their selection of what they would like to play with independently. The childminder spends time with the children and makes sure that they all receive an equal share of her attention. The children enjoy playing with the cars and garage and involve the childminder when they have made pictures with Hama Beads asking her to iron them so that they can take the completed picture home. Children are met

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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 from school by the childminder who takes them to the park in fine weather to play football. They also enjoy playing in the well equipped garden.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children respond well to the childminder and are secure in her care. This is because the childminder is aware of their individual personalities and specific needs. Children have opportunities to learn about diversity as the childminder has a selection of resources, which reflect positive images.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has experience of caring for children with special needs and works together with parents to encourage their individual developmental progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages children's behaviour well, they are given clear rules and boundaries which help them understand what is expected of them. They are reminded to share and take turns and treat one another with respect. The childminder recognises the importance of working with parents to ensure that there is an effective partnership which benefits the children. Information is shared verbally with parents on a daily basis, which ensures children have continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The environment is comfortable and organised to meet the needs of the children who are happy and content in the childminders home. The childminder has attended a refresher first aid training and a child protection course which ensures she is keeping up to date with current important information.

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Organisation

The childminder has clear systems in place for recording children's attendance, currently she is recording the contracted hours of attendance as opposed to the actual hours of attendance. The childminder has systems in place to keep children's records and to obtain the required written parental consents but has not kept all the paper work up to date this means that children's care and welfare is compromised. The childminder does not have her registration certificate displayed she keeps it in a folder to show parents at the initial visit.

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Organisation

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 childminder was asked to ensure all unsafe items are removed from the garden. This has been achieved, the garden has been tidied and is now safe for children to enjoy outside play.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to ensure children have an appropriate range of activities that promotes disability awareness. This has been achieved and the childminder has provided books and puzzles to promote positive images to children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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

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Complaints 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 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): • ensure that all prior written parental consents are in place and that all children's records are completed in full, as is required • ensure that records of any medication administered are maintained • ensure that the fire blanket is fitted according to the manufacturer's instructions • ensure that the registration certificate is displayed • ensure that the actual times of the children's arrival and departure are recorded.

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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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