Compass Community School Coastal Park

Inspection report for early years provision

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135510 Unique Reference Number 08 February 2008 Inspection date Malini Parmar 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 has been registered since 1995. He is registered to work with his wife also a registered childminder. The childminder works from her home in Winchmore Hill in the London borough of Enfield, close to shops and other amenities. Minded children have access to the ground floor of the premises, which consist of a large playroom, kitchen/dining room, ground floor toilet and large secure rear garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years if working alone, but can when working with a co-minder, care for up to a maximum seven children under the age of eight years. There are currently eight children on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted well through the good steps followed to support their all round well being through, hygiene routines, eating and exercise.

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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 Children are cared for in a very clean warm and bright premises. Good procedures are followed to promote children's health by preventing cross infection. Children are protected from unnecessary illness as they do not attend if they are ill. The childminder ensures he wears disposable gloves and disposes of nappies safely and children enjoy engaging in useful conversation during nappy changes to support their emotional health. Children have use of fresh clean utensils and the childminder takes care to ensure new items are used if they accidental fall. They have use of their own equipment and resources, such as cots and bedding. The childminder follows good practise such as regularly washing his own hands before serving food to children. Systems to ensure good practice are always followed abd evolving. Children

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Helping children to be healthy

develop good personal care routines as they wash their hands at appropriate times and have access to tissues when they need them. The childminder takes care to show children about the safe disposal of these to reinforce their understanding.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children relish the freshly cooked meals at lunch times which conform to their individual needs and parental wishes. The childminder works very closely with the co-minder to ensure a balanced menu reflective of the wider world. As a result, children enjoy the creamy pasta with vegetables and ham. The childminder ensures children eat well they are offered more and have a choice from a variety of fruits after their pudding. Good systems in place ensure children access a drink whenever they need one and the childminder reminds children to take a drink to make sure their energy is always replenished.

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Helping children to be healthy

Much attention is given to ensuring children have good chances to expend their energy and gain good coordination on a daily basis. The outdoor area and local park are used to ensure children have daily chances for fresh air. Indoors, children enjoy dancing and the childminder provides children with good support to enable them to learn to control their movements. Older children particularly benefit from the childminder playing vigorous group games, such as football with them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well settled in a environment that is organised for their needs. The childminder ensures the good range of toys and resources are accessible for the age of group attending that day to promote independent choices. Children's request for extra resources are always met by the childminder who willingly accommodates their requests. Space is organised very effectively as the childminder and co-minder organise it to reflect the needs of the children attending.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children safety is given high priority. Children are protected from accidental injury though the many precautions taken by the childminder. They cannot access any dangerous chemicals in cleaning products as these are stored out of reach. Potential dangerous items such as sharp knives are inaccessible and locked out of children's reach. Children develop a greater awareness of safety as the childminder consistently offers them useful explanations and gentle reminders about the dangers of, for example, running indoors. The childminder follows effective practice to protect children on outings. Emergency contact details are carried and he teaches children about safety when they are out. Strong procedures are in place to ensure a systematic approach is followed for the regular checking of toys and equipment. This means children consistently handle toys and resources which are safe. Children are protected from electrical and gas faults

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

as regular checks are made by qualified persons to electrical and gas appliances. Clear evacuation procedures are in place, children regularly practise emergency procedures to ensure their confidence should they be required to vacate the premises in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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's welfare is protected by the policy in place to safeguard them from harm. Although the childminder has some awareness of the associated signs and symptoms and whom to report concerns to. The childminder is not yet fully secure in his knowledge of this area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are busy having fun because they are engaged in an excellent variety of activities. They form very secure bonds with the childminder who has a thorough knowledge of their individual needs, abilities and interest to support their care and development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children eagerly make their choices from the broad range of exciting opportunities to choose from. Activities and resources are easily accessible to children to promote their independence. Young children particularly benefit from much sensory play. They relish the different textures, shapes, smells and colours of the natural resources included in the treasure basket. Children explore these at their own pace and benefit from the childminder's timely interventions to extend their experiences. As a result, children extend their communication skills by repeating words, such as 'soft' whilst exploring the bristles on a brush delighting as they slowly sweep it across their face. Children strengthen their concentration as they pile the different resources to make a tower and benefit from the childminder's clear support in counting the pieces. They are encouraged and afforded the time to freely experiment with the different sizes and textures

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to discover how they can be linked to form two small towers. Children clearly enjoy watching their work tumble as the childminder skilfully encourages the natural progression and gently counts how long this will take. Much laughter and fun is shared as they both clap when this happens.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are busy enjoying different activities as these are clearly accessible. The childminder is very skilled in making sure all children receive equal support by knowing when to provide support and when to step back and watch. As a result, he is able to extend children's natural curiosity and exploration of programmable toys and gently guide children to press the buttons to find out what happens. Children respond with delight and amusement as they recognise the popular tunes their actions have generated. The childminder provides excellent support to enable and extend this progress by singing alongside the tunes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children receive high levels of involvement in their care and learning because the childminder and co-minder work effectively together to ensure this. As a result children experience an excellent balance of activities from quiet to active through the well planned flexible routine in place. They are able to explore books as they become naturally tied before they have their lunch. The childminder is highly skilled at supporting children's self help skills by reminding children that they are able to do things too. He encourages children to take pride in their environment as he expertly supports them to tidy away the toys they are using before playing with others. Children enthusiastically participate as the childminder skilfully encourages them through games and by setting a positive example.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children express their feeling's, needs and views with ease and security because the childminder values and welcomes their contributions. The childminder has a secure knowledge of each child's individual needs and personalities and uses this to guide the care of children. Many positive steps are taken to ensure children gain a good awareness of the wider world. They

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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 always have access to resources that reflect positive images of the wider world because these are integral to the choices on offer. In addition, children experience food and participate in activities to celebrate well known festivals. The childminder works hard to ensure all children are included. As a result, he ensures the use of dual languages books and obtains a list of pertinent words to support children who are bilingual. Children benefit from hearing different languages spoken. The childminder has dictionaries to hand to support this and is currently working towards building a German dictionary.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop self confidence and esteem as the childminder consistently recognises their achievements by offering them lots of praise and encouragement. Children are encouraged to be considerate and kind towards one another as they learn to share resources and wait for their turn. Appropriate strategies, according to children's level of understanding, help children understand right and wrong. The childminder offers children clear explanations in a sensitive manner to help them learn to manage their own behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's needs are met well because the childminder shares close links with the parents ande carers. Much information is gathered by the childminder to support the care of children. All necessary information is gathered upon entry and parents receive good information about the service offered. The childminder together with the co-minder has collated useful information about their service in the form of a well organised policy folder which is shared with parents. Thereafter a regular verbal exchange takes place. In addition parents receive detailed individual accounts of how their child spent their day, in the form of a daily diary which the parents are encouraged to contribute to. Parents have access to the regulators details should they wish to raise any concerns and the childminder is developing knowledge of how he would need to proceed in this instance.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

Children receive high levels of care because the childminder is very organised. The childminder works well with the co-minder to ensure the smooth delivery of the routine. Children are confident in the good care they receive because the childminder has a clear understanding of his individual roles and responsibilities. The childminder reviews his practise, together with the co-minder, and has begun to document this. This supports practice and ensures all the necessary records are in place and most of the required consent. However, the childminder has overlooked the necessity to ensure clear consent is sought to safeguard children in an emergency should treatment be required. Records and policies and procedures are stored confidentially. Children's overall care, learning and welfare are enhanced by the information shared between parents and the childminder. As a result they are happy and feel secure. The childminder is keen to

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Organisation

develop his knowledge and skills to benefit the children, for example by attending training courses offered by the local support partnerships, and reading relevant information, such as the Birth to three matters framework.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was set two recommendations. He agreed to improve documentation by ensuring a daily register is kept of children's attendance. To improve children's understanding of the wider world by increases the resources available to them that promote positive images of the wider world.

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Improvements 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 The childminder has made good progress in addressing both these area. He makes sure the children's attendance is accurately recorded on a daily basis as accessibility of the recording book has now improved. Children now have increased chances to learn about the wider world. The childminder has improved the resources available to do this and they form an integral part of the environment for children to freely access.

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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 can be seen 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): • continue to enhance the arrangements to prevent the spread of infections by ensuring systems in place are consistently followed to remain robust • continue to build knowledge of protecting children from harm • make sure all necessary consents are sought to ensure the children's health in an emergency situation.

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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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