Dearham Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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137602 Unique Reference Number 30 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 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 has been registered since 1983. The premises is a first floor flat, situated within Brondesbury Park, the London Borough of Brent. The children use the lounge as the main play area, the hallway and bathroom is also within easy access on the same level. There is no access to a garden. There are no pets. The childminder lives on the premises with her two adult children. Schools, shops and parks are within walking distance. Bus, tube and train services run nearby.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years and is currently caring for three children under five years.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's health is effectively promoted as the childminder follows excellent health and hygiene procedure such as washing hands prior to preparing food and providing individual towels for children to dry their hands. Children are minded in a clean environment, the areas used are spotless, which helps protect them from unnecessary germs. For example, children are

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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 encouraged to help with cleaning the table before they eat their snack. Children are very well cared for due to the procedures in place for first aid and emergencies, for example a reciprocal arrangement is in place with another local childminder in the event of an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Healthy eating is actively promoted by the childminder, for example, children are provided with a range of fresh fruit and vegetables for their snack, such as kiwi and cucumber. The childminder teaches children about healthy eating and foods that are good for us through the activities provided, such as the use of play foods. The childminder has completed a food hygiene certificate which enables her to be aware of effective hygiene practices when preparing food for the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in an extensive range of interesting activities actively contributing to their good health. For example, children love to go out to the park, aquarium in Blackbird hill and the local farm. Parents are asked to provide suitable clothing, such as Wellington boots and raincoats to allow them to participate daily whatever the weather. Children's physical development is extremely well promoted through the range of activities at local toddler groups. Both gross and fine motor development is fully supported through the use of the swings and slides in the park and the activities offered in the home, such as moulding play dough and using paint brushes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play in a secure environment where they can move around safety and high priority is given to their personal safety. The childminder has taken many positive steps to prevent accidents occurring for example a stair gate prevents children from having access to the kitchen, an alarm is fitted onto the cupboard under the stairs and corner protectors are used on the coffee table. A number of procedures in place ensure that children's safety is paramount, such as the lost child procedure, fire evacuation and risk assessments.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are proactive in keeping themselves safe, for example, they know they must stay close by to the childminder when they are out and about, however they understand they can explore when they go to the park. They are learning road safety awareness through discussion when they go on local outings, and this is enhanced through activities in the home, such as reading books on road safety and role play when children use reins on their dolls to keep them safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's well being is fully supported and protected as the childminder continually updates her knowledge and understanding of how children are safeguarded by attending regular training. There are effective systems in place for recording when a child arrives with an injury and for recording any concerns. A written child protection procedure is in place with contact details of the relevant authorities and additional information on safeguarding children is also available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from the comprehensive range of exciting activities provided, which enhances their individual developmental progress. Children are consistently challenged, for example, three year olds concentrate as they independently write their names on their paintings. They are supported in writing the date, and when they have completed this they proudly show the childminder. Children ask if they can give one of the paintings to the childminder and they independently write her name on the painting.

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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's imagination is fully promoted through the extensive range of resources available. Children become totally absorbed in their role play as they feed their babies and take them for a walk, using the reins to keep them safe. They are confident in helping themselves to resources to extend their play, for example, they take their 'bed in a bag' out and snuggle up inside.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's creativity is fully supported through the excellent range of resources available and the childminder's proactive approach in allowing children to experiment and create for themselves. They have the opportunity to take part in an extensive range of art and craft activities, such as foot and hand printing, making collages using different materials, such as acorns, leaves and pasta and making cards for different occasions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children actively explore and learn about their environment, for example, they know the number of the bus they take to toddler group. They are learning about the changes in the seasons when they go to the park and look at trees and collect leaves, which they use to construct a nature table and for a printing activity. The activity is shared with parents allowing children to continue to contribute to the nature table for some time after wards.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder's top priority is the children who she treats with equal concern and works in partnership with parents to meet their individual needs. She knows them very well, including their extended family, likes, dislikes and individual developmental needs, which she successfully promotes and encourages. Children are learning about diversity through well planned activities, such as making cards for both the immediate and extended family members for different celebrations, such as Easter and Christmas.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are extremely well behaved because they are continually engaged in the activities provided and they are clear of the boundaries within the daily routine. The childminder continually promotes their self esteem in all that they do, for example, children have reward cards where they receive a sticker when they do something well. The childminder encourages children to take turns, have good manners and have respect for each other. The childminder speaks to the children in a gentle tone and gives clear explanations as to why some behaviour is not acceptable. Children learn from these explanations, for example, one child is overheard telling another that if they stand on the chair they will fall and hurt themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is excellent because the childminder highly values their input to enable her to give the best quality care for each child. A parents notice board is displayed in the entrance hall showing the certificate of registration, qualification certificates and details of some of the childminder's practices, for example, the complaints procedure. A file containing further details of policies and procedures, some of which are signed by the parents is accessible at all times. Parents are consistently updated in all their child's developmental needs and care. For example, each child has their own folder with all of their personal information including a record of what activities children have taken part in. In addition a profile is available for each child with a record of their progress and achievements including photos and evidence of their art work.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder is fully committed and dedicated to the families and children she cares for. She continues to enhance her professionalism, for example, she has completed a National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in childminding. The childminder continues to increase her knowledge of childcare practices and changes in legislation by attending numerous short training courses, such as 'listening to young children' and the 'Early Years Foundation Stage' briefing. In addition the childminder has been awarded a 'child care award' from the local authority for her longstanding childminding service of 20 years.

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Organisation

The childminder is well organised which allows her to spend quality time with the children in her care. The childminder's documentation evidences her commitment to providing excellent care for children; all of the regulatory paperwork is in place and up to date. As well as written polices and procedures it includes numerous certificates from training courses all of which is shared with parents keeping them fully informed of her practices.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to ensure the fire blanket is fitted according to the manufacturer's instructions, this has now been completed and is ready to use if required.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 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 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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