Alexandra Park Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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135746 Unique Reference Number 07 March 2008 Inspection date Anahita Aderianwalla 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 2001. She is registered to provide care for four children under eight years; of these, not more than two may be under five years; and of these not more than one may be under one year. She has two children in her care, three years and two years old.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She lives with her husband and three children aged 14, 10 and three years. Their house is in a quiet road in Enfield, a suburb of London. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, comfortable home where the childminder follows good hygiene practices and ensures the young children are helped to understand why and how they

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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 wash their hands before food and after using the toilet. Children have individual flannels and clean towels to use. This means that children are not exposed to cross-contamination and are beginning to understand how germs spread.

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Helping children to be healthy

Procedures for managing accidents and giving medication are effective, they are clearly recorded and explained to parents when children are settled into the childminder's home. The childminder has attended training in first aid and records the children's individual health and dietary details which ensures their needs are met. Written parental permission for seeking emergency medical treatment or advice has been obtained. This means that children will receive appropriate treatment in the event of a medical emergency. The childminder has verbal arrangements and written statements for managing illness. She does not care for sick or infectious children which helps to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder demonstrates an informed understanding of how children's health is promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a varied range of activities which contribute to their continued good health, such as regular outside play in the large rear garden, walks to local parks, music groups where children dance and play instruments, and fruit picking in the summer. Children have regular quiet periods of rest and sleep in accordance with their individual routines and preferences.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides a healthy and varied menu for lunch, such as home-made pizzas, soups, rice, lentils and fish, which the children choose themselves from the supermarket. The childminder organises her routine so that children eat at regular times at the dining table. Children have drinks of water and juice and their cups are always visible so that they can help themselves to a drink when they are thirsty.

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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 safe environment where the childminder completes regular risk assessments, identifying possible risks or hazards. For example, she has stair gates, plug covers and the kitchen area is made only accessible to children when supervised. This means her home is safe and secure for the children cared for.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children develop physical skills and skills of independence as they freely select activities. Children are confident and enjoy their play as they select toys from the range set out for them, from various storage boxes and from those offered to them by the childminder. They are able to freely access the toys and equipment which are age appropriate, safe and hygienic. The regular checking of furniture, toys and equipment ensures that the children are kept very safe at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder safeguards and promotes the children’s welfare as there are effective procedures for the safe arrival and collection of children. She has smoke alarms and fire blanket to contribute to children’s safety in her home and there is a written evacuation plan. The childminder has sought written parental permission for transporting children in a vehicle or for taking them on outings, she also has emergency contact cards, with the childminder's telephone number, given to parents. In the event of an accident, other authorities, will be notified that parents' have children in the care of a childminder. Children are kept safe on outings as the childminder has an outings procedure; for example, she uses the correct car seats, takes parent numbers for emergencies and does a risk assessment on arrival to ensure safety. This ensures that children in her care are very safe.

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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 are very well protected in relation to child protection because the childminder has a good understanding of child protection and has developed policies and procedures which are shared with parents. This enhances children's safety and well-being.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder is experienced and knowledgeable. She ensures her resources suit the age of the children she cares for and provides a varied range to allow for choice of activity. For example, a toddler has a large book, where she can freely paint with a range of brushes, and water colours. The childminder has a variety of toys for infants, like push and pull toys, jigsaws, books and dress up role play for toddlers. The children are taken to a mother toddler group to interact and develop their social skills with other children and adults.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder encourages the older children to choose their own favourite activities. For example, the children love to cook and bake, biscuits, and 'gingerbread families'. The childminder skilfully uses this time to talk about the different types of families, the differences, and the similarities of the children in her care. Children confidently initiate conversation and excitedly point to the items they are painting, shouting 'look, look cake'. They include the inspector in their play and describe the pictures on their work book.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder constantly praises and congratulates the children on their achievements. The children's level of development is good because the childminder organises her routines and activities to suit each child. They are constantly encouraged to communicate and interact and enjoy periods of reading their favourite books. This allows children to progress and increase their confidence and independence in their play and learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder discusses children's individual routines with their parents so that children have time to be active and to rest. Children have regular opportunities for physical development as they frequently play in the rear garden and have opportunities to jump and climb and use the trampoline and other large equipment in the park.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children's activities and progress are shared verbally with parents when they are collected. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how children learn and value a degree of independence. The children are very settled and have formed close relationships with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder ensures children are valued and respected as individuals. They enjoy individual attention and have conversations with the childminder who encourages them to freely express their views. For example, choosing favourite activities, like baking and painting. The childminder and children interact together using interesting resources, such as books with positive images of other cultures, and she involves children in activities, like celebrating Diwali, as she prepares chapattis and Indian sweetmeats, lights "divas", and dresses in saris, as they learn about different cultures. Children have frequent outside visits to the park, nature trails and pre-school activity groups. This helps to promote a positive view of the wider world and helps children to learn to appreciate similarities and differences in others. However, only a few resources that promote learning difficulties and/or disabilities are integrated in play, and the childminder recognises

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Helping children make a positive contribution

that she needs to develop this area further.

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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 Children are positively encouraged to behave well and make themselves at home to develop a strong sense of belonging. There are clear boundaries and rules which ensure children are encouraged to respond to high levels of good behaviour displayed by the childminder. Children are expected to say 'please', 'thank you', share and take turns. Their good behaviour is rewarded with smiles, treats, and verbal praise. The childminder celebrates good behaviour with the children which enhances their sense of self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are invited to attend a number of settling in visits prior to placing their child. The childminder provides parents with information on written policies, organisation and service. Information is shared verbally with parents each day when they collect their children. This ensures parents are involved and contribute to the quality of care their children receive. Children take their pictures and collages home to help parents to be involved in their learning and development. The childminder ensures parents are provided with information on how to contact Ofsted in the event of a complaint.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are able to move freely and safely in the childminder's home. She uses the space well so children feel at home and are confident to play. The childminder has produced a weekly timetable detailing a range of activities which are flexible depending on the children's needs. All the required documentation for the safe and effective management of the setting and for the welfare and care of children are maintained and stored securely. She ensures the children's daily attendance records clearly show the actual times of arrival and departure. The certificate of registration is displayed for the parents information. The childminder has produced a range of policies that she shares with parents. All adults living on the premises, including the childminder, have current checks to show they are suitable to be around children. She has her paperwork organised including public liability and business insurance on her car. The childminder

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Organisation

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 required to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice and in particular gender and disability issues. The childminder was also required to keep a daily record of children's attendance and time's attended and keep a written record, signed by parents, of accident happening on the premises and medicines given to children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has a varied range of resources that promotes different cultures, through activities that involve children in learning about the world around them. The childminder has all documentation in place and keeps a daily record of attendance, with the time of children's attendance. The childminder also has a written record of accidents, and medication given. This is signed by all parents. This contributes to the safety of children in her care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to become familiar with the current child protection guidance and to ensure that the emergency evacuation procedure is practised.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder attended child protection training during 2006 and has the relevant details and leaflets that reflect the organisational changes to the management and reporting of child protection concerns. However, the childminder is to develop her understanding of the policies and procedures and this is carried forward to this report. The childminder has devised an

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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 emergency escape plan and regularly practises this with all the children to ensure they are safe in an emergency situation. Records clearly show the date and time of each practise and which children were present.

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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): • continue to develop resources that promote learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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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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