Ateres Elisheva

Inspection report for early years provision

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147208 Unique Reference Number 04 January 2008 Inspection date Bharti Vakil 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 was registered in 1983. She lives with her husband and two adult children in West Hendon in the London borough of Barnet. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and children have supervised access to a bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. There are no pets on the premises.

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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. There are currently six children under six years on roll who attend various sessions. She also cares for children over eight years old. The childminder walks and drives to local school and pre-school groups to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and a accredited member of the Barnet 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 outstanding. Children clearly thrive in an environment where the childminder follows highly effective and robust procedures and practices. Children have wonderful opportunities to enjoy lots of fresh air and exercise. They are developing good physical skills as they run, jump, slide and climb. They have lovely opportunities to widen their experiences on outings to local toddler groups, fields, and the leisure centre where they explore interesting range of activities. The childminder's good understanding about appropriate types of activities and levels of support gives them confidence to try out new skills, set their own limits and know when to ask for help.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health and welfare is thoroughly promoted and they are learning excellent hygiene practices. They independently and enthusiastically wash their hands at appropriate times and the childminder gently checks that they've done so. The exceptional adult support and guidance, helps children gain an excellent understanding of hygiene, and a real desire to become increasingly independent in their personal care. For example, children freely and eagerly help themselves to fresh water, as they need it, and understand the need to remain hydrated. The childminder maintains high standards of hygiene throughout the areas used by the children, which minimises the risk of infection. Effective procedures are in place for the recording of accidents and the administration of medication which ensures that children are well cared for and their needs met. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate which enables her to

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are catered for as the childminder has a comprehensive knowledge of individual and cultural needs of all children. They thoroughly enjoy fresh fruit, yogurt and rice cakes at snack time. Children are successfully well nourished through hearty home cooked meals which comply with individual dietary requirements. Children are more than able to talk independently about ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’ foods with the childminder and this effectively reinforces their understanding of a healthy diet.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a very welcoming and child-friendly environment. Children make very good use of the designated areas for rest and meal times which are comfortable. They learn about their own and others safety through following the excellent practice of the childminder who is an exceptional role model. For example, older children readily check the floor for tiny pegs to ensure the baby crawling on the floor does not have access to these. The childminder takes extremely good safety precautions, therefore minimising the risk of accidents. All areas of the home are assessed in much detail. For example, the emergency evacuation procedure is displayed and children are involved in regular fire drills and fire safety discussions.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy an extensive range of good quality toys and equipment that are unreservedly safe and extremely well chosen for children of all ages. Children's individual needs are met effectively as the excellent range of equipment includes high chair, buggies, car seats, safety gates, travel cots and potty. The vast range of high quality toys and resources are attractively arranged and are at low levels promoting children's independence as they self select and make choices in their play.

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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 Children's welfare is protected by the childminder who has an excellent understanding of child protection policies and procedures. This greatly contributes to the safety and welfare of the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy and content playing either by themselves or with the childminder. They thoroughly enjoy a nurturing and fun relationship with the childminder from whom they receive great support and encouragement. They achieve extremely well because the childminder is highly skilled and has successfully implemented early years guidance such as the Birth to three matters framework to provide high quality care and education. She provides parents, written progress reports clearly outlining how she intends supporting children in their development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have a very strong bond with the childminder which promotes their sense of well-being. They receive lots of cuddles and good eye contact from the childminder which they relish. Young children have good early communications skills as they attract the attention of the childminder by initiating games, such as 'peek-a-boo'. There are many exciting opportunities for children to explore their senses through well planned activities such as interactive toys and action rhymes. For example, the baby expertly presses knobs of a very attractive and colourful interactive toy in anticipation of music; and starts dancing even before the music begins to play and beams with smile as the childminder joins-in.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder's good understanding of each child’s stage of development means the children are confident enough to try out new skills, ask for help when needed and set their own limits within the safe environment. She ensures that children have an extensive range of interesting experiences within the setting and she also takes them to places of interest. These include toddler groups, country parks, sea-side, the Royal Air Force museum where children thoroughly enjoy exploring different aeroplanes and apparatus.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing their creativity as they paint and stick with a wide variety of materials. They are exploring different textures as they squeeze play dough, splash water, pat the sand, and handle pasta. They have good opportunities to develop problem solving skills as they fit puzzles, build with bricks, sort objects and post shapes. Children are developing their language and vocabulary skills as the childminder asks them lots of open ended questions. They thoroughly enjoy looking at books with the childminder and listen attentively as she reads to them. Children have opportunities to visit a vegetable allotment where they dig fresh produce such as potatoes and onions. They thoroughly enjoy taking part in cooking activities, for example as they chop peppers and mushrooms to make 'yummy' pizza. Children are offered an extensive range of interesting play experiences and activities on a regular basis which enables them to gain

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

knowledge and understanding of their environment, learn new skills and consolidate existing ones.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The immediate and individual needs of children are met effectively because the childminder has thorough understanding of each child. Children turn to the childminder both for comfort and play with no hesitation. The childminder is very much in tune with children's needs and meets them extremely well with lots of affection. This increases young children's sense of trust

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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 and develop a strong sense of self. The childminder has a very good understanding of using age-appropriate behaviour management strategies which are consistently applied. During the inspection, children’s behaviour was exemplary. They have developed good understanding of acceptable behaviour and awareness of the boundaries set. This enables children to try out new experiences in a very supportive environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's awareness of diversity is increasing as they enjoy access to a very good selection of books, play materials and posters promoting positive images of diversity and disability. They have extensive opportunities to learn about the world around them through organised activities, socialising with other children and outings to places of interest.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Excellent partnership with parents and carers contributes significantly to the children's sense of security and well-being. Good information is shared between their parents and the childminder regarding their routine care, activities and achievements. The childminder provides parents with regular written progress reports with evidence of photographs and children's work. The very well organised and maintained folders for parents informs about the childminder's policies, procedures, child care experience and qualifications. Therefore, parents are clearly very well informed about the arrangements for the care of their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit from a highly skilled childminder who strives to improve her current excellent practice through attendance on courses, such as, the Birth to three matters framework, play work courses, child safety and protection courses and ongoing childcare practitioner qualifications. She uses ideas from courses and from the childminder support sessions to develop her practice and enhance the enjoyment of the children. For example, the children enjoy outings with other childminders and complete planned activities whilst there. The childminder regularly reflects on, monitors and improves the quality of the care that she offers as part of the National Childminding Association accredited quality assurance scheme.

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Organisation

Outcomes for children are excellent. They benefit from being cared for in an extremely well organised and child-friendly environment. Their welfare is promoted by the childminder's effective use of policies and procedures. All regulatory documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being are in place and regularly reviewed by the childminder.

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Organisation

The high quality of the provision means that the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has made improvement in the care she provides to children. She records children's arrival and departure times in the daily attendance records as required. The childminder keeps the front door locked and the keys are made inaccessible to children. This ensures children cannot leave the premises unsupervised. These improvements ensure that children's safety is maintained and that they are well cared for.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 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

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 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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