Castle Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

144483 Unique Reference Number 06 February 2008 Inspection date Liz Corr Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1993. She lives with her husband and adult daughter in a three bedroom house in the E9 area of the London borough of Hackney. Children have access to the living room and first floor bathroom. A garden is available for outdoor play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for a maximum of four children under eight years, at any one time. She is currently caring for three children. She holds a relevant NVQ 3 qualification in childcare and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean environment where there are sufficient arrangements in place to keep them healthy. They are learning the importance of personal hygiene as the childminder ensures they have clean hands before and after eating. The childminder practises appropriate hygiene routines for changing nappies and reminds children to use tissues when they have a

p.2

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 cold. However, children do not have access to individual bed linen at rest time to help prevent the risk of cross infection.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is promoted as a clear written sickness procedure is shared with parents. This ensures that children are appropriately cared for if they become unwell at the setting. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and a well stocked first aid kit. There are suitable permissions and records in place for the administration of medication and the recording of accidents. However, children's health and well being is not fully promoted because permission has not been given by parents for emergency medical treatment or advice.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are respected and children enjoy meals provided by their parents. The childminder supplements their diet with a range of healthy snacks during the day including, a selection of fruits. Regular drinks help children remain hydrated.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy some physical play to promote their growth and development. They visit the local park and use the childminder's garden. Indoors, they enjoy singing and dancing.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have access to a welcoming and comfortable play space where they can move around freely and independently. They easily access a good supply of play equipment. The childminder regularly rotates these and checks that toys are safe and in good condition.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are generally kept safe and secure because the childminder has a proactive attitude to risk assessment in order to minimise hazards in the home. They are cared for on the ground floor of the home where there are two exits in case of emergency. Appropriate equipment is in place to help promote fire safety. However, there are no records of emergency evacuations to help promote children's safety. They are encouraged to develop a sense of their own safety on outings. The childminder reminds them that they must cross roads safely at traffic lights and can only cross when the green light is flashing.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm and their welfare is promoted as, the childminder has a good knowledge of issues regarding child protection. She is aware of the necessary steps to take should she have any concerns including allegations made against her, or, a member of her family.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and relaxed in the childminder's home and caring relationships are evident. They feel comfortable as the childminder is warm and affectionate towards them. An appropriate settling-in period ensures that children feel secure at the setting.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Toys and equipment are in good supply including a broad range of books. Children easily access the play equipment which is stored at their level and sorted into categories. The equipment is regularly rotated to maintain their interest. The childminder promotes their interest in early reading as she regularly reads to them throughout the day. They approach her confidently with books they are interested in. Younger children enjoy sitting closely on her lap as she names each of the objects in the books. Older children enjoy sharing a story together, younger children are encouraged to join in, so they feel included.

p.3

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 enjoy an appropriate range of stimulating activities. They are provided with opportunities for creative play as they make cards for celebrations, simple cake making and malleable activities such as, play dough. Although, the childminder is aware of the Birth to three matters frame work to support her care for children under three years. It has not been fully included in her daily practice, by providing natural materials to promote children's skills to explore and investigate.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have some opportunities for outdoor play, they visit local parks, the library, local childminders and the Museum of Childhood. The garden is used in good weather for physical play and art activities such as painting.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from the systems in place to record their individual health. However, systems to record information about the children's individual family backgrounds such as, their religion or cultural beliefs are not as secure. Children have some opportunities to learn about the wider world and have recently taken part in an activity to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are generally well behaved, they receive frequent praise for their achievements. They are learning to share and be considerate to each other. They respond well to the childminder's guidance about why some behaviour is unacceptable and go back to their play happily.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder keeps parents well informed of children's progress as they exchange information at the beginning and end of each day. Parents are provided with clear information about the service as the childminder shares her policies and procedures with them. This includes guidance for making a complaint with details of the regulator. This has a positive impact on the children's overall well-being and development.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has developed sufficient support to develop her childminding practice. She has a childcare qualification and regularly updates her knowledge though training courses. Most documentation relating to childminding is in good order and parents are provided with written polices and procedures about her service. However, daily attendance registers do not record the actual times of children's arrival and departure. This is a breach of regulation.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder has taken appropriate steps to provide a healthy and safe environment for children. However, records have not been maintained for recording emergency evacuations and permission has not been provided from parents for emergency medical advice or treatment. This does not fully promote the health and safety of the children in her care.

p.4

Organisation

Children are settled in the childminder's care. The home is organised so children can easily access the good range of play equipment. The childminder organises her time so that children have some opportunities for socialising with other children at the local library, park and with local childminder's. Children enjoy their play and receive positive support from the childminder to promote their development.

p.4

Organisation

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

p.4

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

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was set two recommendations. These were to improve recording systems for children's individual needs and preferences and to seek written permission from parents for emergency medical advice or treatment.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made some progress in addressing these. Documentation for children records their individual health needs and preferences. However, permission for emergency medical advice or treatment has not been addressed.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

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 that parents give written permission for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • improve safety by recording details of emergency evacuations • improve experiences for children to use natural play materials • ensure that daily registers contain the actual times of children's arrival and departures

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5