The Aylesbury Vale Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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135879 Unique Reference Number 02 November 2007 Inspection date Julia Louise Crowley 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 1996. She lives with her husband and two adult sons in Enfield within the London borough of Enfield. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, plus one bedroom on the first floor can be used for sleeping. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five all day and one child over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a clean and well organised environment. They successfully stay healthy because the childminder follows current and up to date environmental heath and hygiene guidelines, for example, children use individual towels which are changed daily and the childminder ensures that the ventilation and temperature of the house is appropriate.

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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 childminder has all necessary policies and procedures in place to effectively promote health, for example, a system for recording the administration of medicines and accident record book; however, written consent for medicines is not currently obtained. Children have a good understanding of simple health and hygiene practices, such as using tissues when they have a runny nose and using their own individual cups and crockery. The childminder supports their understanding by offering clear simple information that increases their understanding.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished because the childminder consistently provides a healthy weekly menu of meals and snacks, for example, children can enjoy tuna pasta, cottage pie, ravioli and fish depending on their dietary needs. The childminder consults closely with parents to ensure that all dietary needs are met and records each child's intake in their individual diaries that parents receive at the end of the day. Children successfully learn about healthy living through discussion, books from the library, trips to the shops and creative activities, for example, children buy fruits from the local supermarket and read about where they come from before preparing and eating them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of physical activities, such as outside in the garden play house, trips to the river to feed the ducks and regular attendance of local mother and toddler groups. Indoors children benefit from opportunities to play with tunnels and tents as well as interpret music with movement. Children develop their co-ordination and balance and learn how their bodies work.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a first aid certificate and has a good knowledge of what to do should an emergency take place to ensure the well being of children is not compromised.

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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, secure and welcoming environment because the childminder ensures that the house is thoroughly risked assessed before children arrive, for example, stair gates are in place, catches are effective and toys clean and accessible to the children. Children consequently play confidently and safely. Children feel welcome and part of the family as they hang their coats on their own pegs in the hallway while parents read the display of notices, policies and certificates presented on the wall. This allows parents to keep up to date and well informed, and for children to feel valued.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder uses safe and suitable equipment as the childminder has a good knowledge of child development. She chooses the most effective equipment to enable the children to develop new skills and knowledge, for example, children confidently use the step in the bathroom in order to independently wash their hands. Children learn to keep themselves safe, such as holding on to the buggy when walking on pavements, carefully using scissors and when enjoying a cooking activity. The childminder offers the children support and reminders of how to keep themselves safe, consequently, children grow in confidence and delight in their achievements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has good safety policies in place that promote children's safety, such as an effective collection procedure and an emergency fire drill. All fire equipment, such as smoke alarms and fire blankets are maintained, consequently, children are kept safe. Children are protected because the childminder has a good understanding of her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice, such as all necessary contact numbers are accessible and systems for recording are in place, consequently, children's welfare is safeguarded.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very settled in the childminder home as she takes time initially to discuss and gather information from the parents about children's individual needs. Children have good accessibility to a suitable range of resources as all toys and play equipment are found in low level boxes, shelves and tables. Children move from box to box confidently, making choices for themselves and receiving support from an attentive childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop confidence and self esteem because the childminder enables children to achieve by providing well chosen, age appropriate toys and offering plenty of praise and encouragement. The childminder observes the children when playing, to assist her when choosing toys for the children in order that the children are interested and challenged; for example, children are fascinated by the treasure box that the childminder shows them and they enthusiastically talk about the different textures and sounds of the natural and manmade objects. Children ask questions and the childminder offers them time and suggestions to consider the answer for themselves, consequently, children are developing new skills and increasing their knowledge.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make positive relationships because the childminder provides opportunities for them to socialise with adults and their own age group at local childcare groups. In addition she provides a positive role model for the children by respecting and valuing them and by offering them appropriate cuddles and support when needed. Children naturally look to the childminder for assurance and support and the childminder is quick to provide it.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children begin to successfully distinguish between right and wrong as the childminder gently reminds them of what is acceptable behaviour, for example, children know that toys must be cleared aware when they have finished and to be kind and share their toys. The childminder acknowledges children's positive behaviour with plenty of praise. Children are given simple responsibilities, such as handing out plates at lunchtime and washing their hands before they eat, consequently, they gain independence and begin to achieve.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children become aware of the wider society because of the childminders positive attitude to diversity. She provides toys, posters and books offering positive representation of disabilities and other cultures, for example, children play enthusiastically in the home corner with play foods and utensils and dress up in a wide range of dressing up clothes. The childminder is aware of festivals throughout the year and children have the opportunity to make celebratory cards and gifts

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children feel a sense off belonging because the childminder is warm and welcoming. Photographs surround the main play rooms and both childminder and children enjoy looking through the photograph album together which is full of events and activities that the children have enjoyed together; for example, playing in the paddling pool in the summer and taking part in a song and dance session.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with the parents offering them an informal discussion at the end of the day and daily diaries for younger children, because of this parents are mostly informed

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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 and children receive continuity in their care. All policies and procedures are available, however, the complaints procedure is out of date, consequently, parents are not fully informed.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's good organisation of the premises providing them with sufficient space to play and access resources. Children feel at home and at ease, daily routines provide children with opportunities to rest and relax as well as be busy and actively occupied.

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Organisation

The childminder has a current and wide portfolio of childcare training courses that she has completed and has a good understanding of child development, this enables her to maximise the children's enjoyment and potential to achieve. Children are safeguarded as all adults within the home have undergone checks to assess their suitability. In addition the childminder keeps accurate records of children's attendance.

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Organisation

Records are clear and stored with an awareness of confidentiality. All required documentation are in place, personal details and information about each child is kept in separate folders and stored in a locked file. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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): • provide records of written parental consent to administer medicines to minded children • provide a complaints procedure which is up to date and inline with current legislation

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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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