Advance Education

Inspection report for early years provision

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146987 Unique Reference Number 11 October 2007 Inspection date Kay 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 was registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and two children aged 16 and 13. They live in Edgware, located within the London borough of Barnet. The whole of the childminder’s house 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends local toddler groups and takes children to the park. The family have a guinea pig. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is also a member of the local childminding network.

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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 understand the importance of good personal hygiene. For example, they are able to enjoy petting the family guinea pig and they know that they must wash their hands as soon as they have finished. Children's good health is further promoted as there are effective systems in place to reduce the risk of cross infection. Children who become ill are appropriately cared for and nappy changing routines are hygienically clean, as children have their own personal changing mat and the childminder always uses disposable gloves. Children benefit from the childminder's first aid qualification and the effective systems that she has in place for recording accidents and sharing this information with parents. Children's well being is further promoted as they enjoy daily trips to the park, to enjoy fresh air and exercise. They make good use of the garden where they have fun while developing and strengthening their muscles, as they ride

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to make healthy choices as they enjoy helping themselves to a selection of apple and banana for their midmorning snack. They are able to drink water as often as they choose because their beaker is always close at hand. Children are fed according to their dietary needs and they benefit from the childminders sound understanding of importance of healthy eating. She ensures that the food she provides is freshly cooked and well balanced as she plans her weekly menus in advance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have a strong sense of belonging as the childminder makes them feel comfortable in her home. She greets them with enthusiasm and they part happily from their parent's. They quickly make themselves at home, hanging their coats on their own coat peg. Children are cared for in a hygienically clean environment and their safety is given good priority. Children practise fire evacuation procedures regularly and safety equipment, for example, the smoke detectors are tested monthly. Children benefit from the childminders routine checks which serve to ensure their safety. For instance, she checks that the garden is free from hazards before the children go outside to play. Children enjoy easy access to a good quality play materials choosing to help themselves to a drum and some maracas, in order to play instruments alongside the music that was playing on the tape recorder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is further assured as the childminder has a good understanding of her 'duty to protect' children in her care. She has attended child protection training and is aware of the signs and symptoms of child abuse. She has appropriate systems in places for recording concerns and parents are informed of her child protection policy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have a good time in the childminders care. The childminder is developing her use of the Birth to three matters framework and uses this to provide a wealth of learning opportunities for them to enjoy. Daily routines flow smoothly and always includes an outing to the park. Children benefit from a good balance of adult lead activities such as baking and art work, along side child initiated play such as role play and drawing.

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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 play well with each other, as they spontaneously make up a 'band' deciding who should play what instrument as they set about making music. They are learning to make sense of their world as they engage in meaningful role play, dressing up and taking 'babies' for a walk in the pram. Children love the regular opportunities to play outside in the garden, laughing and giggling as they ride their bike round and round in circles, driving faster and faster. Children are confident communicators who chat happily together about their afternoon trip to the park, asking the childminder 'is there is any bread to feed the ducks with'. Children are also able to enhance their social skills as they mix with other children at the toddler groups, which they attend on Monday and Thursday. During this time they also enjoy more elaborate creative art

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities such as clay modelling. Children enjoy making independent use of books as they choose a book and relax on the sofa to look at it. The childminder makes a good play partner for the children, encouraging their learning as she supports their play. For example, as children draw pictures she asks them if they can draw a circle or small 'dots', consequently children have good pencil control and are developing their emergent writing skills effectively. Children are beginning to learn about number concepts as they count the stairs as they go up and down. They consider shape and size as they work together to complete an inset puzzle.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very well behaved. The childminder is calm and gently spoken and creates a good sense of fun which the children respond well to. Children are developing a good understanding of the difference between right and wrong. Even if their behaviour becomes potentially unacceptable, for example attempting to draw on the chair, the childminder explains that this is inappropriate and the child listens and cooperates. Children are confident individuals. They are well settled into the childminders care. She collates good information about their individual needs and is therefore best able to meet them. For example, she records children's first language and their usual daily routine.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing a good sense of their own personal identity as they learn about their own culture and those of others. Resources and play materials reflect diversity and children enjoy dressing up in sari's, looking at books about different religions and playing with 'play people' and toy wheelchairs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive relationships that the childminder has developed with their parent's. Their care is enhanced as clear lines of communication make sure that children are offered continuity of care. All of the relevant consent forms are completed and these permit the childminder to act in the children's best interest. Parent's are offered good quality information regarding the service they receive via the childminder detailed portfolio. They speak highly of the care and attention that she offers their children. Parents are aware of the complaints procedure, however, some of the information is out of date.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well cared for within the well organised environment. Daily routines flow smoothly coupling appropriate domestic routines with play and learning opportunities. Documentation is well organised and children's individual files provide good information for the childminder to refer to, subsequently she is able to appropriately meet the children's needs.

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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 The childminder is committed to developing her service and regularly attends training on a variety of childcare subjects such as, celebrating festivals, health and safety and encouraging children's language development. Record keeping is comprehensive, for example, attendance records log children's arrival and departure time and accident sheets are countersigned by parent's. There is a system in place for recording complaints, however, parent's may not be fully aware of the process and some of the information in the procedure is out of date.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to increase her knowledge of child protection issues and to obtain written permission from parents regarding the administration of medication.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children now benefit from the improvements as the childminder has increased her knowledge regarding child protection and written permission for the administration of medicines is now in place.

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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): • update the system for recording complaints in order to share this information with parent's.

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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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