Harrow College

Inspection report for early years provision

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131864 Unique Reference Number 06 March 2008 Inspection date Sue Boylan 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 1990. She lives with her husband and one child aged 15 years in the London borough of Kingston upon Thames. All areas of the ground floor and the upstairs bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder walks to the school to take and collect children. She goes to the park and toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding three children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have appropriate opportunities to lead a healthy life style. They walk to and from school and take the dog for a run through the wood, where they can stop to see the horses in

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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 the field. Children's physical development is extended when they use climbing equipment in the park and ride the bikes on the green down the road.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder's first aid certificate is not up to date, although she is booking onto the next available course and informed parents the qualification is expired. The first aid box is not fully stocked and some of the supplies are out of date. Children are learning the importance of personal hygiene, for example, wiping their nose and using paper towels to dry their hands. However, the childminder changes nappies whilst children lie directly on the carpet, this does not protect them from cross contamination.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents provide most of the children's meals, which means individual dietary requirements are met. The childminder offers a main dinner during the holidays, for example, lasagne or spaghetti bolognaise. Food is stored appropriately to prevent spoiling. Children know when they are thirsty and help themselves to a drink from their individual beaker left on the side.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and well-maintained environment. When children arrive in the morning they have the opportunity to choose from a range of good quality toys and resources, set up to look exciting and attractive. Children are kept safe because the childminder is vigilant in her supervision, for instance, making sure they sit still on the stools in the kitchen when eating, she checks the house and garden for potential hazards. Children are learning to keep safe, for example, they know to hold onto the buggy when out and not to put things into their mouth. Fire safety precautions are good and children are familiar with the emergency escape plan because they practise the routine on a regular basis. Children's welfare is safe guarded because the childminder has a good understanding of child protection and is aware of her responsibility to report any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are cheerful and contented. They involve the childminder in their play and like to practise their language, repeating known words and happily verbalising their needs. Children approach the childminder confidently to help them, for example, dressing the dolls and putting on their socks. Older children look forward to reading and showing the childminder their work from school. There is a 'creative box' and children like to get it out so they can sit and choose to do some painting or collage. They take pleasure in participating in planned activities, such as making jewellery boxes with shells, binoculars from cardboard tubes and a robot out of boxes. Children like to think about others and make a birthday card to send to the childminder's son, who is away at university. They have a love of stories and independently pick a book to look at quietly.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel very much at home with the childminder. She knows them well and they enjoy her company. Children's self-esteem is promoted because they are praised at every opportunity. They benefit from the structured but flexible routine and are learning important social skills,

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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 such as good manners, sharing and being polite. Children like to help when it is tidy up time and look forward to school pick up time, when they excitedly go and collect the older ones.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's well-being and continuity of care is fostered because the childminder has positive relationships with parents. She makes sure time is made available to discuss the child's day and to keep them up to date with their child's developmental progress. Children have access to a range of toys that reflect today's society, such as dolls, books and dressing up clothes. They have good opportunities to experience the local and wider community with regular trips to the park, toddler group to socialise with friends and the farm.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. There is good adult support and children can move around easily. They benefit from the childminder's experience and commitment to ensuring they are settled and secure. Children are protected because they are not left with any person not vetted. There are other registered childminders who cover in an emergency. The required documentation is in place and maintained appropriately, this contributes to children's health, safety and well-being. The childminder is aware of her responsibility to keep the regulator informed of changes, for example, any person living in the house who reaches 16 years old must be checked. Overall 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 agreed to continue to develop the range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice; request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment; ensure the first aid box is suitably stocked and devise a system to record incidents. There has been improvement to the documentation, the range of resources to promote equality of opportunity have increased, however, the recommendation relating to the first aid box remains outstanding.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the childminder or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The childminder 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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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

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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): • attend the next available first aid course • improve the nappy changing procedure • ensure the first aid box is fully stocked and supplies not out of date.

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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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