Herzlia Day School

Inspection report for early years provision

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128914 Unique Reference Number 18 December 2007 Inspection date Silvia Richardson 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 1998. She lives with her partner and two children, one of whom is an adult and the other is aged 17 years. They live in a house close to shops, parks, a library and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding two children aged 17 months and three years on a full-time basis. The family have no pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The home is clean and well kept, promoting children's welfare. Outdoor shoes are removed at the front door, helping to maintain hygienically clean floors and rugs, so that children play comfortably. Suitable nappy changing routines and the exclusion of sick children, are minimising the risk of spread of infection. The childminder teachers children to cover their mouth when they cough, helping children to become aware of how to reduce the spread of germs. Children are developing good personal hygiene habits, because the childminder consistently encourages

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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 hand washing at appropriate times. Children's health is promoted well through the childminder's careful preparation and handling of food. She ensures children are well nourished and have regular drinks. Children enjoy fresh air and exercise daily, because the childminder walks with the children to and from school. They have good opportunities to play in the garden and go to the park, promoting children's health and helping them to enjoy an active lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play and move around the home safely, because they are well supervised and the childminder has a firm approach, helping children to understand rules for safe play, such as not standing on toys. Appropriate safety precautions are taken, helping children stay safe, such as the use of nursery gates across doorways and safety film fitted to low level glass. The childminder ensures sharp objects and dangerous substances are inaccessible to children and she teaches children not to touch things that are hot. Children are learning about safety when they are out walking and know they must hold hands and stay together. Suitable fire safety measures are in place and the childminder has thought through an escape plan, helping to keep children safe in the event of emergency evacuation of the premises. Children are kept safe should child protection concerns arise, because the childminder follows good practice guidelines. However,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

she has not obtained the new safeguarding children procedures, to ensure she is able to record, report and make an appropriate referral to care services, if worried about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and play happily in the setting, because the childminder creates a relaxed and comfortable environment. Children sit on the floor with a range of toys, such as books and puzzles and the childminder sits with the children, supporting their play and learning experiences. They talk about letters, numbers, shapes and colours, helping them to learn and make good progress. Children enjoy cuddles with the childminder and sitting on her lap, helping them to feel secure and reassured. Children enjoy playing football in the garden and play on the slide and rocker; they also visit the park, so that they have a balance of active play opportunities. Children walk to the shops and enjoy helping, picking up items and putting them in the trolley and on the conveyor belt. Play experiences at community groups, such as messy play and creative activities, are supplementing those offered in the home, so that children have a variety

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

of learning experiences. Children enjoy consistent care and familiar routines, helping them to thrive in the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are supported and encouraged to be sociable, to learn good manners and adopt polite and courteous behaviour, through the childminder providing a strong role model. Children play co-operatively, help each other, tidy up and put things away, because the childminder is consistent in her approach and praises children, reinforcing desirable behaviour. Children enjoy a sense of belonging, because the childminder provides a warm welcome and helps them feel special, such as by remembering their birthdays. Children have access to books, toys and community activities reflecting diversity, so that children enjoy positive images of differences that help them feel good about themselves. The childminder works well in partnership with parents and uses contracts to agree childminding arrangements, promoting children's welfare.

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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 The childminder creates opportunities at the end of each day, to talk to parents, about what the children have been doing, how they have been and what they have eaten, keeping them well informed.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder, her partner and oldest child have been vetted as suitable to be with children. However, the childminder's youngest child has not been vetted since reaching the age of 16 years. Suitable records are kept, including a daily register, so the childminder is able to account for the times children are in her care. The home is well organised, meeting children's care, learning and play needs. They sit at the table together for meals and snacks and easily access toilet and wash facilities, because they are situated on the ground floor. Good use is made of space in the living room, so that children may rest and sleep as required. Toys and play materials are organised and sorted into sets, including resources for drawing and colouring, box games and baby toys. The children get to know what activities are available and the childminder selects these for the children and sets them out on the floor or at the table. The childminder meets

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Organisation

the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder ensures that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice, by making use of the library and toy lending library.

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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): • improve awareness of the local authority safe guarding children procedures • ensure adult members of the household over the age of 16 years submit to police vetting procedures.

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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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