Colchester County High School for Girls

Inspection report for early years provision

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137515 Unique Reference Number 17 December 2007 Inspection date Jennifer Devine 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 registered in 1997. She lives with her husband, two adult children and a 15 year old child in Willesden, in the London borough of Brent. The childminder uses the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family have one dog. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted as the childminder maintains a good standard of cleanliness throughout her home and this enables children to play with no risk to their health. Children are learning to take responsibility for their own personal hygiene and know to wash their hands before eating. The risk of infection is minimised by the childminder having effective procedures in place such as for nappy changing and by excluding children if they have an infectious illness. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate which enables her to deal with an emergency

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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 appropriately. The childminder maintains the required records of any accidents occurring or if medication is given.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents currently provide their children with a packed lunch and the childminder ensures it is stored appropriately to ensure it is consumable. However, the childminder is flexible with children's tastes or choices and will provide alternative food if a child particularly requests something. Drinks are always available in individual beakers which the children can easily access.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities for physical exercise through play in the garden or when visiting local parks. Children have daily fresh air as they walk to school and home again.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Overall, the childminder has taken steps to minimise hazards within the home. However, candles lit around the Christmas nativity display in the front room compromises children's safety. The childminder is fully aware of children's safety when outdoors and continuously talks to them about crossing the roads safely and the importance of holding hands.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children make good use of the play materials as they have ample space to spread them out on the floor and play in comfort and safety. Children's independence is promoted as they either help themselves to toys from the crates or ask the childminder for particular resources. The childminder ensures that all toys and equipment are cleaned regularly, and any damaged pieces discarded to prevent the risk of harm to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder understands the importance of recognising any signs and symptoms that could indicate a child was being abused and of following the correct procedure to report any child protection concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care. The childminder knows the children well, as she has been caring for them for some time. Their individual needs, routines and interests are taken into account when planning activities. As children currently attend nursery in the afternoons the mornings are planned to allow the children the freedom to choose their play and relax in a homely environment. The childminder also enjoys taking the children out to places of interest, visiting local parks, toddler groups or the RAF museum. Children talk fondly of the museum and are able to recall recent visits and respond by saying 'its great'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have close relationships with the childminder who ensures that play and learning are fun. They enjoy taking part in creative activities, such as when making Christmas cards and they extend their learning as they identify the different shapes and match them up to make their Father Christmas pictures. They talk about the rectangle shape will be the belt and the big round shape is Father Christmas' tummy. Children enjoy looking at books and having stories read to them. They are also very interested in looking through reference books on people and countries, and talk about features and differences in great length.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children behave well, they enjoy playing together and know each other well. They are kept busy and interested in their play. The childminder gives clear rules and boundaries about what is expected, which is appropriate to the ages of the children. The childminder constantly praises children's achievements to build up their self esteem and confidence. Children gain a positive image of themselves and the wider world as they play with a range of resources which reflect different cultures, gender or disability. Children have experiences of visiting places of interest such as the Neasden temple where they can learn about facts of the Hindu faith.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder recognises the importance of working with parents to ensure there is an effective partnership which benefits the children. Information is verbally shared on a daily basis and this ensures children experience consistent care and attention.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming home. The childminder is affectionate and caring towards the children, who are relaxed and happy in her care. This means that the children are confident, comfortable and settled enough to initiate their own play and learning. Overall, children's safety is well maintained as the childminder supervises children's play, except for having lighted candles in their vicinity. The childminder builds upon her skills by attending training courses and workshops on a variety of childcare topics. This has a positive impact on the children as she remains positive and up to date with current good practise. All paperwork is well organised and consistently maintained. The childminder's written policies and procedures underpin the good practise in place. This contributes to the safe and efficient management of the childminding provision.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has made improvements in the care she provides to children. The childminder has ensured all adults within the home have a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure in place and this ensures children's safety is maintained.

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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. 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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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 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): • ensure candles are not lighted whilst minded children are present in the home.

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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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