Castle View School

Inspection report for early years provision

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147031 Unique Reference Number 24 January 2008 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 1999. She lives with her husband and 12 year old child. They live in Edgware which is located within the London borough of Barnet. Part 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 five children at any one time and eight children when working with an assistant. She is currently working with an assistant and is minding 10 children all of whom attend on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local authority childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is effectively promoted. Children enjoy a healthy mid morning snack of fresh fruit and vegetables. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that children

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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 are provided with healthy food. As they sit in small groups to enjoy their fruit the childminder talks to them about the importance of healthy eating and the children talk about the place where different fruit grows, and learn that strawberries grow on the ground while grapes grow on trees. Children are able to help themselves to their own beaker of water at any time during the session. At snack time they are learning to make healthy choices as they are offered either water or milk to drink and with adult support are learning how to drink from a cup.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a hygienically clean environment. They help to wipe the tables before snack and are learning about the importance of good personal hygiene as they wash their hands before they eat and after they use the toilet. Children are familiar with this routine and they spontaneously head towards the bathroom while pulling up their sleeves as they observe the snack tables being prepared. Nappy changing routines are appropriately clean and effective policies and procedures help to prevent the spread of infection. These procedures include the use of disposable hand towels and gloves and the exclusion of children who become sick or infectious.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical wellbeing is further promoted as they enjoy daily opportunities to play in the fresh air. They use the garden where they engage in robust physical play and learn to develop and strengthen their muscles as they ride bikes and climb the ladder to use the slide. During wet weather the childminder ensures the children are offered similar learning opportunities as she clears space indoors to set out the large apparatus and opens the doors and windows to allow the fresh air to flow.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children feel very safe and secure in the childminder's home because she has created a very warm and welcoming child-centred environment. As children arrive they are greeted by a bright entrance hall which is aesthetically decorated with interesting posters and displays of their own art work. Their sense of belonging is further enhanced as they have their own named coat rack where they can store their own personal belongings. They are very comfortable within the home as they move freely between the two main play areas, engaging in a wide and varied range of activities which have been thoughtfully set out for them, or they may choose to help themselves to the equipment stored on the low level shelving in the play room. Equipment is closely monitored as the childminder sets out the resources before the children arrive. This effectively ensures that equipment remains in safe condition and is suitable for all of the children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is given very high priority. The childminder has excellent knowledge of safety issues and has taken extraordinary steps to ensure children's safety. For example, they regularly practise fire drills and these are recorded. Written risk assessments are completed to a very comprehensive standard. For example, risk assessments are recorded at the beginning of each new term and daily 'site inspections' are carried out before the children arrive to ensure there are no potential hazards. Before the children go out into the garden the childminder checks the area for various hazards such as litter or damage to the perimeter fence. The children are also beginning to learn about safety issues, as they help to wipe the climbing apparatus dry to avoid accidents occurring, as they discuss that water could cause you to 'slip'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is assured because the childminder has recently attended child protection training and has updated her own written policy. Parents are informed of her responsibility to protect children and she has a comprehensive understanding of her role and how to appropriately record and share her concerns with other relevant professionals.

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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 outstanding. Children tremendously enjoy their time spent in the childminder's care and she delights in their company. The childminder has a very good understanding of the Birth to three matters framework, and uses this effectively in her planning and assessment of the children's learning. Consequently the children thoroughly enjoy a very interesting range of well planned and age appropriate activities which effectively sustains their interest and enhances their learning. Children are very enthusiastic in their play, eagerly participating in all of the activities offered to them. They are becoming independent learners as they choose where to play. The engage in a range of 'messy play' in the kitchen, including water, painting and play dough. In the play room they learn to mimic the world around them as they dress up, set up the train track or play with the 'small world characters'. They play co-operatively along side each other, preparing

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

'pretend' food at the toy cooker. The childminder effectively supports their learning by offering them a 'stepping box' to allow them to reach the top of the play cooker and continue their game. Children are confident communicators, requesting that the childminder does not help them to use the toilet as they can 'do it myself'. Children enjoy using books independently and help themselves from the book box then climb onto the sofa to look at the book, turning the pages carefully and pointing to the pictures as they talk to themselves.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are becoming competent learners. Older children concentrate and persevere in their sewing activity, taking their time to pass the needle and thread through the individual holes. They are currently learning about 'different fruit' and many of the activities are linked to this theme. They especially enjoy tasting a variety of different fruit including strawberries and dried cranberries, considering their likes and dislikes as they sample the different flavours. They have fun as they play in the garden. The adults make good play partners for the children, helping them to learn new skills such as catching a ball or steering a bike. Children delight in the end of day music session. They sing and play a variety of instruments, triangles, bells and an African drum, to familiar songs such as the 'wheels on the bus'. At the end of their day they enthusiastically present their parents with their art work beaming with pride as they declare

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are confident individuals and are treated with equal concern. The childminder records detailed information about the children in her care and uses this effectively to meet their individual needs, especially dietary and medical needs. The gradual settling in procedure and the one to one adult attention that new children receive allows them to develop a strong bond with a significant adult and as a result they settle quickly and securely into the daily routine. Children are developing a strong sense of personal identity as they learn about their own culture because the Jewish faith is reflected in the routines and the activities offered. They also learn about other cultures as they play with resources which reflect social and cultural diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved. The childminder and the assistants have a consistent approach to managing children's behaviour. They are calm and gently spoken and they create a good sense of fun which the children respond well to. Children's achievements are praised and consequently their self esteem is high.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are very happy with the service they receive, often taking the trouble to document their satisfaction. They are well informed about how the children spend their day. The 'daily

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 diary' advises them of the activities which the children have enjoyed and they receive written progress reports regarding their child's learning. Parents have a good understanding of the childminder's policies and procedures as they are given copies of them in the parent booklet and a regular newsletter keeps them up to date with additional information. However, the complaints procedure is out of date.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are very well cared for within a well organised environment. They are familiar with the daily routines which flow smoothly and effectively meet their needs.

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Organisation

Documentation is well organised and record keeping is accurate. Policies and procedures are of a good standard and reflect the existing good practice. All policies and procedures have been recently updated, although the complaints procedure is currently out of date. The childminder has a firm understanding of her role and responsibilities as a registered childminder and she is committed to developing her practice by regularly attending a wide variety of child care training.

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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 collate more comprehensive information regarding children's individual needs, keep accurate records of attendance and update her first aid qualification.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children now benefit from improvements to record keeping as individual needs are well documented and records of attendance record arrival and departure times of all children and adults. Children's safety is further assured as the childminder ensures to maintain a first aid qualification.

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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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Complaints 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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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 complaints procedure so that parents know how to contact Ofsted and are aware of the timescale for resolving complaints and how they will be recorded.

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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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