The Ferns Primary Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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147128 Unique Reference Number 28 February 2008 Inspection date Naomi Brown 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 outstanding. 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 October 1998. She lives with her husband and daughter aged 10 years in Barnet close to local amenities. The areas of the home that are used for childminding purposes are the lounge, downstairs bathroom, and kitchen. Children attend the setting for a range of sessions. There are currently six children on roll. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are learning about keeping themselves healthy as the childminder sets strong routines that encourage them to learn good hygiene practices. Children readily wash their hands before and after meal time and messy play. The childminder encourages children to join in preparing the wide range of nutritious foods that she gives to children and they enjoy the involvement they have in meal times. Children eat at the table, enjoying a meal of scrambled egg and wholemeal muffins with beans. Children thoroughly enjoy their foods, tucking in to fromage frais with gusto and enjoying exploring the food on their plate. Menus are shared with parents

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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 and demonstrate the childminder's extremely thoughtful approach to providing interesting and nutritious foods for all minded children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder's home is extremely clean and tidy. Children have their own towel and liquid soap to use when washing their hands. Towels have different motifs on them and the children recognise their individual towels which helps to minimise risks of cross infection. Written signs are in the toilet that remind children how to wash their hands which encourages their independence in their personal care. The childminder encourages children to think about what clothing is suitable for outdoors, asking them to think if outside is cold or warm. These steps ensure that children are taking exceptional responsibility for their own health and hygiene.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children thoroughly benefit from extremely well considered policies and procedures to protect them from cross infection. The childminder has a thorough understanding of contagious and notifiable diseases and regularly liaises with other settings that minded children attend to find out if any illnesses have been reported. This helps to protect all children in her care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are thoroughly protected as the childminder has a number of extremely well thought out procedures, policies and equipment that maintain their safety when they are in her care. Fire evacuation records are meticulously kept so that the childminder can continuously improve the children's understanding of evacuation procedures. The childminder uses many opportunities to discuss children's personal safety with them so that they gain an excellent understanding of how to keep themselves safe. Gentle reminders not to run indoors and to take care using steps in the garden mean that children are able to move around the home safely and with confidence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Thorough risk assessments and outings procedures ensure that all children are protected while they are on walks and visits. The childminder has cards with emergency contact details and consent for emergency treatment that she carries on outings. This ensures that children are able to be treated quickly in an emergency, wherever this might take place. Accident, incident and medication records are all maintained and the childminder consistently seeks appropriate signatures and consents from parents to further protect all minded children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is thoroughly safeguarded as the childminder has an extremely clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. Her careful procedures ensure that any concerns are recorded and discussed with the appropriate agency.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thoroughly enjoy their time in the setting. They enjoy playing a range of different games as the childminder joins in with them, spending a great deal of time at their level. The childminder prepares lunch as she plays 'soundtracks' with a child who enjoys identifying different noises on a tape. The childminder has constant contact with the children, ensuring that she has planned activities that she can take part in even during routine tasks such as food preparation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses a very wide range of pertinent questions to encourage children to extend their learning. For example, while they are looking at pictures of children who attend the setting,

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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 the childminder asks how old each child is. The childminder and child count the ages on their fingers and recall the names of children who attend. The child then lists the children in age order from eldest to youngest. This is demonstrative of how the childminder's simple questions lead to worthwhile activities for all children. The childminder takes many opportunities to increase children's understanding of the world around them. For example, when her post arrives she discusses this with children, this then informs an activity that leads to children making cards for their parents which they put in an envelope, address and post.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are extremely confident and demonstrate high levels of imagination, playing games of mummy and baby. The childminder allows children to explore their spontaneous interests throughout their free play. Children and the childminder wash dolls' clothes and peg them out to dry. Children are able to use clothes pegs with skill. The childminder remarks that the last time they did this some children found it difficult to operate the pegs. This is an example of observations that the childminder takes. Observations are clearly taken, well informed and offer an excellent picture of children's progress. The childminder clearly uses these observations to plan activities that will help children to move on. This firmly underpins children's outstanding progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are thoroughly aware of the diversity of our wider world as they are exposed to plentiful images of different cultures, religions and abilities. The childminder's inclusive practice and warm attitude ensure that all children have a strong sense of belonging in her home. This ensures that children make secure relationships with the childminder and each other and they speak warmly about their friends at the childminder's. The childminder is an excellent role model and this clearly influences the positive behaviour of all children that she cares for.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a thoroughly sensitive attitude towards caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She has carefully written policies that demonstrate her willingness to take extra training and work with outside agencies to meet the needs of any child that she cares for.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All policies are sensitively written and clearly reflect how the childminder has adapted policies to meet the needs of her setting. Parents are extremely happy with the care their children receive and state many of the childminder's strengths, including her flexibility and her warm approach. The childminder fills in detailed activity sheets so that parents have a complete overview of everything their child has experienced while with the childminder. Parents sign a declaration to state that they have seen and read all policies. The declarations are repeated every time these are updated. This ensures that parents and carers are consistently aware of all that is expected of them and their children. This also ensures that parents are aware of steps that the childminder will take to protect children in her care. This contributes to children's ongoing safety and excellent continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children thoroughly benefit from the childminder's excellent organisational skills. The childminder is extremely thorough in all areas of her practice and this ensures that children are protected at all times. She attends a local network group and this opens up a wealth of resources and access to childcare professionals. Subsequently her practice is consistently in line with

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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 current best practice guidelines. The childminder has created her own policies and forms that are specifically tailored to meet the requirements of each child and these are filed in children's personal files for issues of confidentiality. This also ensures that if emergency treatment is necessary the childminder can select the children's file quickly and all necessary information will be in the file, including consents and contact details. These thoughtful processes all contribute heavily to the childminder's ability to react to any changes in children's needs. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection several recommendations were raised that asked the childminder to keep a signed written record of medicines administered to children, and to make a bunk bed in the bedroom inaccessible to children. The childminder now keeps a signed written record of all medications given to children. The bunk bed now has a guard on the ladder and minded children rarely enter the bedroom. These improvements contribute to the continuing safety of children in the setting.

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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. 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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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