Peninim

Inspection report for early years provision

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137502 Unique Reference Number 07 January 2008 Inspection date Maria Therese Conroy 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 1999. She lives with her partner and two children both of whom are of school age. The family live in a ground floor flat in Willesden in the London Borough of Brent. Bus and tube services run nearby. The living room, the bedrooms and hall are available for childminding. The family have a pet cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years, she is currently caring for three children under five years and one child who is over five. The childminder has some knowledge of British Sign Language.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's home is clean and tidy, however, some hygiene practices do not prevent the spread of cross infection, therefore children's well-being is not always promoted. For example children sit and eat their snack on the floor which is main thoroughfare used by children, parents and the family pet.

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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 generally good procedures in place for accidents and medication, for example she has an up to date first aid certificate which means she is prepared for any accidents should they occur. However, some accident records do not contain all the necessary detail including a parent's signature and the correct procedures have not been followed in relation to reporting of serious accidents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a varied range of foods which are provided by their parents. They are encouraged to eat healthily by eating fresh fruit during snack time and by having fresh drinking water readily available. A high chair and low level table are provided to allow children to sit and eat comfortably.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities to have access to outdoor play and promote their physical skills. They regularly go for walks and run around, for example during visits to the local park. In addition they have opportunities to use soft play areas, such as the ball pool, and climb low level slides at local community groups.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The areas used by the children are generally safe because steps have been taken by the childminder to promote children's safety, for example a stair gate is in place to prevent children from having access to the kitchen. The toys and equipment provided by the childminder are suitable for the age of the children attending. A reciprocal arrangement is in place, in the event of an emergency, with another local registered childminder who children are familiar with.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has good precautions in place in relation to fire safety, for example smoke alarms which are linked to the mains electric, a fire blanket and a fire evacuation procedure in the event of having to get out of the house in an emergency. All of which protect children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities in relation to child protection; she has knowledge of the steps to be taken to make a referral and a written procedure is in place with contact numbers of the relevant authorities. In addition there is a procedure in place for recording injuries which children arrive with. All of which promote children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the homely environment. They have formed good relationships with the childminder and her family. The enjoy reading familiar stories and interact when asked questions, such as 'Who has boots?' They shout the name of the child who has the boots and smile up at the childminder as they do.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are taken on local outings, such as the library, the local park, feeding the ducks and toddler groups where they have the opportunity to socialise with other children and take part in a wider variety of activities. During school holidays older children enjoy trips to the Brent museum and the London Aquarium.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children crawl around confidently pulling themselves up on the furniture to investigate; they are able to make independent choices as they self select toys and books most of which are stored at low level.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 enjoy constructing with bricks, as they develop hand eye coordination skills when they put the bricks together. They create and design through the many art and craft activities offered, such as marble painting, when they watch the marble running around in the tin creating as it goes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder is fully aware of children's individual needs. Children are happy and settled as the childminder has developed a positive partnership with parents, keeping fully up to date with changes to circumstances and specific needs. Children follow individual sleep and feeding routines which make them feel secure. Although the children have begun to learn about diversity by using the small range of toys and books available to promote positive images, they also take part in craft activities linked to celebrations of festivals, such as Christmas.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and respond positively to praise and encouragement. Behaviour management techniques used are acceptable and age appropriate, the childminder explains the reasons why the behaviour is not appropriate to enable children to learn why the behaviour is not acceptable. The childminder promotes children's self esteem as she praises them when they achieve a new skill.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in partnership with parents, she keeps them informed of their child's development, their food intake and sleep patterns. A file is available for parents with relevant information, for example training courses, in addition a scrap book is available for each child with photographic evidence of what activities the children have taken part in.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has most of the necessary regulatory paperwork in place which is well maintained and kept up to date. However, she does not always record all of the necessary information in relation to accidents including the parent's signature. In addition the childminder has not followed the correct procedures for reporting a serious injury to the regulator. Both of which are a breach of regulation.

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Organisation

The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure that children are cared for in accordance with parents' wishes. She keeps records of children's work so parents can see all the activities their child is involved in and a daily record of how each child has been which allows parents to be kept fully informed of the care their child receives.

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Organisation

The childminder has some systems in place to promote good hygiene procedures, however, not all practices are fully effective which means that children are not always protected from the spread of cross infection.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to improve in three areas all of which have now been completed as follows:

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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 To keep a record of attendance, with hours of attendance; this is now in place for each child who attends which ensures that there is a clear record of what children are on the premises on which days.

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Improvements since the last inspection

To acquire written parental permission for photos, which ensures that parents know the purpose of the photos taken and can make their wishes known if they do not want their child to be photographed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

To record children's progress, which is shared with parents so they are kept fully informed of their child's developmental progress and can work in partnership with the childminder to ensure continuity of care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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 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): • ensure that all accidents are recorded with all the necessary details and signed by parents and that Ofsted are notified of any serious accidents • improve systems in place to promote good hygiene practices

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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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