The Samuel Lister Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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137576 Unique Reference Number 19 December 2007 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 outstanding. 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 1984. The childminder lives at the premises with her husband and three adult children. The family live in the Willesden area within the London Borough of Brent. Schools, shops and parks are within close walking distance. Bus and tube service runs nearby. The main play areas are the through lounge and the dining room. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. There are no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for six children under eight years, she is currently minding five children on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). She has completed the NCMA 'Quality First' accreditation scheme and is part of the London Borough of Brent children come first quality assurance Network. The childminder also holds a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 3 in Early Years care and Education.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's health is extremely well promoted by consistently high standards of hygiene. The childminder regularly washes hands before touching food and keeps work surfaces clean throughout the day. Nappy change procedures are effective in the prevention of cross infection, for example each child has their own changing mat for their individual use. In addition all children have their own flannel, towel and hairbrush which is clearly labelled and laid out on a table prior to their arrival. Children's independence is actively promoted for example a low level hook is available in the bathroom for them to hang their towel. There are effective systems in place for administering medication and for dealing with accidents. The childminder has an up to date first aid certificate and has also been trained to administer the 'epipen'.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to eat healthily by being provided with a nutritionally balanced diet which includes fresh fruit and vegetables. Older children are gaining independence as they make their own sandwiches using the cress they have previously grown. The high quality furniture available allows children to sit and eat comfortably, for example a small wooden table and chairs and a high chair for younger children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have numerous opportunities to take part in an excellent range of activities to promote a healthy lifestyle and encourage physical development. Children walk to local outings, ride bikes, use the slide and enjoy ball games. They are developing their fine motor skills as they use play dough, use brushes to paint and cut with scissors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children's safety is the childminder's utmost priority for example ensuring that the areas used are safe and secure for young children to move around and explore freely. There are effective procedures in place for monitoring health and safety issues such as daily risk assessments on the premises which ensures that there are no obvious hazards in the areas used by the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

An effective fire evacuation procedure is in place, which is practised with the children on a regularly basis to ensure they are familiar with the steps to take if they had to leave the premises in an emergency. Smoke alarms are regularly checked as part of the risk assessment and a fire blanket is available. Children are proactive in learning to keep themselves safe when they talk about road safety awareness as they walk to toddler groups; for example waiting for the 'green man' before they can cross the road.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are extremely well protected because the childminder has an excellent understanding of safeguarding children. She has a detailed written procedure in place to follow in the event of having to make a child protection referral and effective recording systems are in place to monitor when children arrive with an injury. The childminder is vigilant at all times and supervises children extremely well. A reciprocal arrangement is in place with another local registered childminder who parents are familiar with in the event of 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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are having a fantastic time as they have access to an extremely wide range of activities and play provision. The childminder is exceptionally well organised and incorporates play opportunities provided through visits to local community groups and those which are provided in the home; to ensure that children have access to a comprehensive range of purposeful exciting activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are delighted as they join in with simple actions to familiar rhymes such as 'if your happy and you know it'. They concentrate as they carefully watch the childminder stamping her feet and they are fully supported as they try to copy the action. The childminder is highly skilled as she uses every day activities to promote children's developmental needs. For example as a child tries to climb down the steps in the lounge, the childminder gets down to their level and encourages the child to undertake the challenge. The childminder enthusiastically praises the child as they achieve and tells them how proud she is and how clever they are.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's imaginative development is thoroughly enhanced as they take part in an extensive variety of art and craft activities and design and produce a range of paintings and sticking. Their vocabulary is continually extended and fully promoted as they listen to stories and join in with familiar songs and rhymes. Children love to explore different textures as they play in the bundles of shredded paper and relax as they become familiar with the feeling of cornflour.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are learning to understand how changes occur for example when they make play dough and plant and tend to flowers. They love to experience natural play materials such as sand and water, during which they find out why things sink to the bottom of the tray and use mathematical language such as full and empty during their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely well settled and very happy because the childminder values and respects their individuality. They are learning to gain a positive image of themselves and that of the wider world though playing with a good range of resources that reflect positive images of diversity. This is fully supported by the range of art and craft activities that children take part in to enhance their understanding of the various festivals celebrated.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with families and health professionals within the community to fully enhance children's individual developmental needs. She is successful in promoting children's specific needs through the innovative activities she provides for each child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved because they are given clear boundaries within the daily routine. The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure consistency between home and the care she provides. Children are consistently praised and rewarded for their achievements, which promotes their self esteem and confidence. The childminder is a good role model and speaks to the children in a gentle voice, which enables them to feel secure and reassured.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has an excellent professional partnership with parents that enables her to provide the best possible care for each child. Detailed information regarding the care of the children is shared with parents both verbally and in writing on a daily basis. An informative weekly plan is displayed for parents to see what activities their child will be taking part in

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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 throughout the week both in the home and through local visits. This enables parents to extend children's learning in their own home and promotes continuity of care and education. Due to exceptional organisation the childminder makes herself available at the end of each week to discuss in depth each child's progress and areas for development. A photographic record is available for each child to evidence their participation in the various activities offered, which is supported with evaluations and evidence of craft work. Previous parents comment how happy they have been with the care provided and how positively their child speaks of the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder is fully committed to providing a superior service to the families she cares for. She is part of the London Borough of Brent 'children come first' quality assurance group and has also completed the National Childminding Association (NCMA) 'quality first' quality assurance scheme. The childminder has enhanced her professionalism and increased her knowledge as she has completed a National Vocational Qualification at Level 3 in early years and education. She is proactive in keeping herself fully up to date with childcare practices and changes in legislation which she does by regularly attending short courses and consistently attending childminder network meetings. The childminder is highly active in promoting good practice which she does through the 'support childminders' scheme, this enables her to give advice and guidance to new childminders in the area.

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Organisation

The childminder is extremely well organised which allows her to spend quality time with the children in her care and give parents the opportunity to discuss their child's progress and other matters during the week. Documentation is professionally organised and personalised to show how the childminder meets each of the National Standards within the service she provides. All regulatory paperwork and requirements are in place and well maintained.

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Organisation

The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it 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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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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