Highwoods Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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144539 Unique Reference Number 21 November 2007 Inspection date Moreen Johnson 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 satisfactory. 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 1992. She lives with her husband and adult daughter and son, in Stamford Hill in the London borough of Hackney. The areas of the childminder's home available to minded children are the living room and kitchen. The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years old. The childminder walks to the local school to collect children. She attends the local drop in groups and takes children to the park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently four children under eight years on roll. The childminder also care for two children over eight years old.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder recently completed the NVQ level 3 (National Vocational 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 are protected well from infection by the childminder having effective hygiene procedures. For example, the childminder wears gloves and an apron when preparing food and store food appropriately in the fridge. Children are learning about personal hygiene. They are encouraged to wipe their hands before eating their snack and to cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze, thus preventing the spread of germs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Effective accident and medication procedures are in place. Parents sign to confirm that they have been informed about accidents and their consent is requested to seek emergency medical treatment. When children are unwell they receive appropriate treatment because the childminder is trained in first aid and hold a current certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy varied and nutritious meals which meet special dietary needs and ensure children remain healthy. They are offered food such as fish fingers, jacket potatoes, vegetarian lasagne and soups. Children enjoy eating sliced apple and banana for their snack and drinking water. The childminder obtains information from parents about their children's individual needs and respects parents wishes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Outings to the park where there is large play equipment, gives children plenty of opportunity to develop physical skills. They are able to do rock climbing, run, use the hoist to pull up the sand and to play ball games.

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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 extremely well maintained environment that is bright and welcoming. There is sufficient space to allow children to move about safely. Children have access to a wide range of good quality toys and resources appropriate to their age and stage of development. Children have good opportunity to rest comfortably because the childminder provides suitable sleeping facilities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is promoted well. The childminder carries out regular risk assessments of her home to eliminate hazards. Children are encouraged to develop an understanding of how to stay safe by learning about of what is safe and what is not. The childminder has taken all the necessary precaution in her home to ensure that children are not placed at risk. For example, a safety gate is fitted at the kitchen doorway and the fire blanket is sited in the kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good awareness of the categories of abuse and signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk. She is aware of her responsibility to report concerns about a child to Social Services. She is not aware that Ofsted must be notified about any allegations against her or household members. However, the childminder is in breach of regulation because she is not aware that Ofsted must be notified about concerns about a child. Children's health is comprised in the event of the need to check historic records because children's attendance records are not retained for the required period.

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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 good. Children have opportunities to engage in a wide of range of stimulating activities because the childminder uses her good knowledge of children development to plan activities that support children in all areas of their learning. Children have regular access to outside play resources such as drop-ins and the park to further enhance their learning experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy and are well settled. They have good relationships with the childminder who sits with them and engage in their play. Children are encouraged to develop their language skills through talking about their experiences. Children are learning about other forms of communication such as sign language. For example, whilst watching a television programme in which the character use words and sign language to tell a story, the childminder explains that sign language is used for people who cannot hear.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy role play they are engrossed whilst playing with the castle and figures. They also enjoy pretending to lay the table and cooking pasta. The are learning to count, they are encouraged to count how many people are eating. Some children count spontaneously as they count the numbers of stripes on their jumpers

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected and their individual needs are met well. Children are encouraged to develop a positive attitude to others by talking about other religions and cultures. Children have access to a range of resources that portray positive images, of language, culture and disabilities. The childminder has a positive attitude to caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities and understands the importance of working in partnership with parents to meet their children's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to develop an understanding of right and wrong, because the childminder uses appropriate methods to manage children's behaviour which are in line with good practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is good. The childminder has friendly professional relationships with parents. Parents receive regular formal feedback about she children's progress. Written progress records/tracer books for children under five provide parent with details information about how their children are progressing in all areas of their development.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel happy and at home in the well organised, child friendly environment. Clear, consistent routines further enhance children's confidence, enabling them to choose their own toys and play happily. The childminder develops her knowledge and understanding of good childcare practice by attending relevant training courses.

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Organisation

Most records are in place and well maintained. However, children's attendance records are not kept for the required period. This a breach of regulation.

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Organisation

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

Since the last inspection the childminder has increased her resources that reflect diversity, obtained a copy of the 'Safeguarding Children's' child protection guidance and has increased her knowledge of children protection issues. She now keeps the required details of children's arrival and departure time. These improvements means that children are developing a better understanding of diversity, are kept safe and are protected from harm.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • develop knowledge and understanding of responsibilities for notifying Ofsted of children protection concerns relating to children • keep records for the required period.

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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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