The Forest View Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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143886 Unique Reference Number 16 October 2007 Inspection date Janet Sharon Williams 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 has been registered since 2000. She lives with her partner and five adult children in Brixton Hill in the London Borough of Lambeth. Local shops and main bus routes are within walking distance. The ground floor and bathroom on the first floor are available for childminding. There is a small fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have two pet cockatoos.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years and is currently caring for two children part time.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder visits many of the local parent/carer drop-in groups. She is also a member of the Childminding Association and local Sure Start. She has a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 2 and 3 childcare qualification.

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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 good. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows appropriate health and hygiene guidelines. For example, children's hands are washed before and after meals. The childminder ensures that the nappy changing area is cleaned after use with anti-bacterial fluid. Good procedures are in place for recording accidents and medication administered. Parental permission has been obtained for emergency medical treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have their dietary needs met because the childminder works well with parents. Some children's meals are provided by their parents and others prepared and cooked by the childminder. Meals offered are balanced and nutritious. A detailed menu plan demonstrates children are given a selection of varied fruit and vegetables. Children are offered drinks at regular intervals; consideration is given to younger children who are unable to ask for one themselves.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of physical outdoor activities. They are taken out several times a week to many of the carers’ and children's groups and have access to the garden, where they can have the freedom of outdoors and plenty of fresh air.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment. Most of the necessary safety precautions have been taken to minimise accidents, for example, sockets not in use are inaccessible to the children, a smoke detector is fitted on the lower and upper floor of the premises, there is a BS approved blanket accessible in the kitchen and there are clear fire procedures in place for children to evacuate the premises in the event of a fire. However, not all glass on the premises is safe and secure. On outings younger children are strapped in their pushchair and reins are used for older children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Appropriate space is available to allow children to have access to a good range of toys and activities. They are stored at low level to enable the children to make their own choice about what they want to play with, for example, books, large and small construction toys, activity centres, soft toys, drawing and colouring materials.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe and protected through the childminder's good understanding of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse, enabling her to assess risk and protect children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children receive good support and develop confidence and self-esteem through the childminder providing a range of interesting activities indoors and out. She has a structured programme which allows children to positively develop and learn through play. For example, older children enjoy a varied range of theme related activities, where they talk about the weather, collect leaves and use them to complete art and craft work, such as collages or painting. In addition they also have frequent trips to various children's groups and local parks.

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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 develop positive relationships through the childminder spending time talking to the children, reading stories and teaching them songs and rhymes. They receive lots of warmth and affection. Younger children enjoy being close to the childminder as she shows them affection, this gives them a sense of belonging. The childminder keeps written information on children's progress, which is kept up to date.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children become aware of the wider society through mixing and meeting people within the diverse community. They also have access to a good range of resources that reflect positive images, for example, books, dolls, and small world people. The childminder uses many of the play materials to talk to the children about people who are different from themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good understanding of children with special needs; where she has concerns for a child relating to learning difficulties or disabilities, she would effectively address the issue through talking to parents and seeking professional support or advice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is dealt with positively. Procedures are in place for behaviour management and are shared with parents. Children are made to feel valued, praised and encouraged in order to promote good behaviour, for example, the use of reward stickers and frequent use of positive phrases. Children are well cared for through the relationships with parents being warm and trusting. The childminder has written policies and procedures, to show parents, which have also been summarised for parents to keep a copy. These include managing behaviour, health and safety and equality of opportunities. However, her information on complaints is incomplete and the contact details for Ofsted are out of date.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well cared for through the childminder organising the provision well, using resources to create a stimulating and supportive environment, and allowing for meals, sleep and time outdoors. The childminder's ratio positively supports children's care and development. Good written policies and procedures are in place promoting the well being of the children. The childminder has undertaken additional childcare training and has put her skills and knowledge thoughtfully into practice.

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Organisation

There has been no change to the household since the last inspection. All persons over the age of 16 years have a Criminal Record Bureau clearance.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last Children's Act inspection the childminder was asked to ensure hazards are minimised including keeping toxic materials out of reach of children and that all records relating to childminding activities are readily accessible on the premises and available for inspection at all times. These have all been satisfactorily addressed.

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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

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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 all glass accessible to the children is safe and secure • review information on complaints procedure and ensure that the correct information is available for parents, for example Ofsted's contact address

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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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