Landau Forte Academy Moorhead

Inspection report for early years provision

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138790 Unique Reference Number 07 December 2007 Inspection date Susan Elizabeth Tovey 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 1994. She lives with her husband and two adult children and two teenagers in Hillingdon, in the London Borough of Hillingdon. The whole home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding two children under eight.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have four cats. The childminder attends the local childminder support group and a toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is supported well as the childminder has effective procedures in place for the administration of medication, for dealing with accidents and illness and to minimise the potential for the spread of infection. All areas of the home accessible by children are very clean

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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 and comfortable. Children are helped to learn the importance of good hygiene to maintain good health as part of the daily routine and through discussions with the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of healthy snacks, which they eat sitting comfortably at the table and enjoy sociable time with each other. The childminder takes into account parents' wishes and children's choices so that she can meet individual dietary needs. Children's independence is promoted as they have the opportunity to select their own snacks. They are able to access drinks regularly throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children usually spend some time outside in the fresh air each day, which contributes to a healthy life style. They play in the garden and the childminder takes them out for walks, or to visit the park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home is friendly and welcoming for children. Children's art work is on display, along with educational posters, this helps foster a sense of belonging for children. Children independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety receives good attention because the childminder understands her responsibility to protect them from potential risk. Children are well supervised and cannot leave the premises unattended. There are good fire safety precautions in place. The childminder has devised a written fire evacuation procedure which is practised regularly and there is a fire blanket easily accessible in the kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Older children learn the rules for their own safety and that of others, through the setting of clear boundaries and the input of the childminder. For example, she talks to children about the need to pick up toys that they have finished playing with and explains why it is unacceptable for children to open the front door themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has appropriate procedures in place to ensure children's welfare is fully safeguarded. She is secure in her knowledge of issues relating to child protection and has put together a written statement relating to this, which she shares with parents. This ensures parents have a clear understanding of the childminder's responsibility.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children have enormous fun and they play enthusiastically with an excellent range of toys and resources, which fully promote their learning. The children make excellent progress because the childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child. Close and caring relationships increase children's sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of self. Children play with a wide range of appropriate toys and join in numerous art activities, such as making a large fruit bowl collage, using glitter to decorate stockings and icing ginger bread trees. During the holidays children enjoy cooking activities, following the recipes in 'Good Cook, Little Cook'. They play and explore their world at their own pace because the childminder has a secure understanding of how children learn and is beginning to make good use of the Birth to three matters framework. She gives them space to discover things for themselves but is always available to provide help

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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 grow in confidence and independence through being able to choose and plan what they want to do next and enjoy a wealth of activities, that help them learn, question, explore, and have lots of fun. Communication skills are extremely well supported through high quality, adult to child interactions. All children are eager to learn, self assured in their play and confident to try new experiences. Children have great opportunities to experience the wider world when they visit places of interest, for example, Willow Tree farm, Heathrow airport, cinema and lunch out, with a special trip to see Father Christmas. The children involve the childminder in their play and they receive an abundance of warm, individual attention, which enables them to successfully extend their learning and experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are settled and confident because the childminder values and respects their individuality. Children are good at taking turns and sharing. They are very well behaved as the childminder provides consistent boundaries and offers a lot of praise and encouragement. Children enjoy close relationships with the childminder and they learn to respect, and be caring and considerate towards each other. Children make themselves at home, they select toys independently and help themselves to drinks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides a meaningful range of resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increases children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, books and a range of small world people are available. Children are able to feel good about themselves and develop their self-image as the childminder has a positive attitude towards inclusion.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are happy and content because the childminder has a very good relationship with the parents. They work together to meet the child's individual care and developmental needs. Children's routines and activities are shared with parents daily.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and at ease in the well organised child focused environment. The childminder organises the day to include a good variety of indoor and outdoor play activities. This helps to ensure the progress of children's individual development and learning. They receive lots of warm, individual attention to promote their emotional wellbeing.

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Organisation

Documentation, to ensure the welfare and care of the children, is stored securely and made available for inspection. The childminder regularly shares these documents with parents, which keeps them well informed about the care that that is provided. However, not all the required paper work is maintained. Children's actual times of attendance are not recorded in the attendance register. All adults living within the household are appropriately vetted.

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Organisation

Children enjoy the time they spend with the childminder as she has a sound knowledge and understanding of caring for children; she meets their welfare and care needs effectively. Children receive continuity of care as their routines and achievements are shared between parents and the childminder. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to complete a relevant first aid course. The childminder has completed a first aid course, which includes training in first aid for infants and young children. This means that she is able to act appropriately should a child sustain a minor injury or have an accident whilst in her care.

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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): • ensure an accurate record is kept of children's attendance.

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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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