Ncea Harry Hotspur Church of England Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

149850 Unique Reference Number 31 January 2008 Inspection date Anahita Aderianwalla Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1999. She lives with her nine year old daughter in a two bedroom, self contained maisonette in a cul-de-sac. The flat is situated in a largely residential area and is close to local amenities. At present the childminder cares for three children under five years who attend on different days and times of the week.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The areas of the home that are used for childminding purposes are the sitting room, both bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and the garden. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and a member of the Barnet Childminding network.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's health is effectively promoted by the childminder who has an excellent understanding of children’s health, hygiene and nutrition. 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. Children thrive in a home in which the importance of good

p.2

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 hygiene and personal care is thoroughly promoted through the childminder's daily routines. As a result young children develop exceptional self-care skills and an understanding of the importance of these routines from an early age; for example, they know that they need to wash their hands before eating. The children use the step to reach the hand basin, use the soap and select their own individual flannel and towel to dry their hands. Children place their individual towels in a basket after use.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has an excellent knowledge and understanding of the requirements for administering first aid and medication, and both she and her co-childminder take equal responsibility for ensuring that all records are kept appropriately. Children are protected from the risk of infection because the childminder is an excellent role model to the children on hygiene practice, such as washing her hands and using disposable gloves before and after each nappy change. This helps the children to develop a very good understanding of how to keep themselves healthy. The childminder has completed relevant first aid training which ensures that children receive appropriate care if there is an accident.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has an exceptional knowledge of nutrition and plans a varied menu for children which is both healthy and appetising. Breakfast, snack and lunch times are very well balanced and take account of the individual and cultural needs of all children. A choice of organic fruit, vegetables and salad are provided on a daily basis, for example, tangerines and bananas were offered at snack time. The children are exposed to a interesting variety of meals, such as; lasagne, risotto, home made pizzas, and Spanish vegetable stews , "Minestra". The childminder encourages the children to try new dishes, and often calls them names like "Shrek stew", which is full of green vegetables. Children are able to talk about 'healthy' foods that 'make you grow,' as the childminder plays the "Shopping game" with them, discussing about healthy food groups indicate what is healthy and what is not. Children help themselves to easily accessible drinking

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy activities which contribute to their good health and are expertly supported by the childminder who plans an extensive range of physical activities both within the home and garden. Children visit local play areas, the library, other toddler groups, and they regularly walk to and from school. There are plentiful opportunities to use a wide range of equipment, develop children’s large and fine motor skills, as children gain confidence in their own abilities. For example, children play on a large trampoline in the garden, and use a variety of large apparatus in the local parks and have access to more messy play activities in the Curtis Family Centre.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are kept safe whilst in the care of the childminder, because she has a clear and appropriate understanding of maintaining a secure environment. Children are protected by the childminder's daily premises checks, clear policies and their own developing understanding of safety in and out of the home. Children have access to a very well organised, child orientated space in which they can move freely around without hurting themselves. The childminder has a excellent knowledge of the resources she has in the home and checks these regularly to guarantee that they are safe and suitable for children's use at all times. The childminder ensures that daily checks take place to the premises and equipment, including the garden in order to ensure that children remain safe. The large play equipment in the garden is secure and well maintained ensuring it is suitable for children's use and the childminder has separate parental

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

consent forms for the use of a large trampoline in her garden. Children are protected at all

p.3

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 times because the childminder has written risk assessments which identify and minimise all risks, and sets safe limits for children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children display a very good understanding of keeping themselves safe. The childminder ensures that children take an active part in regular fire practice drills and the children describe how they must go to the garage whenever the smoke alarm is activated. Smoke alarms are in place in every floor of the house.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is strongly safeguarded because the childminder has an excellent knowledge of child protection issues and has a thorough understanding of her responsibilities to report any concerns to the appropriate agency.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder and become absorbed in the extensive range of activities available. Children gain independence and confidently choose from an extensive range of activities and resources that are easily accessible to them and are empowering. Children learn about colour, shape and number, time, through the childminder's highly efficient interaction with them. Children benefit greatly from the highly effective use of stimulating resources available.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are secure and confident due to the caring and strong relationships that the childminder has developed with them. The childminder spends time talking to and getting to know the children so that she can plan and present activities to meet their individual needs.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder skilfully uses the Birth to three framework and the Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage, to plan a range of activities to promote children's learning. However, these are very flexible on the children's wishes when they arrive. She recognises areas for improvement and has in place an effective system to record children's achievements through observation and to identify development goals, allowing her to extend children's learning further. At present this is with the use of photographic evidence collated in a book, for every child, called "Me and my family", and the use of daily diaries. Children play with great interest and enthusiasm, they concentrate for extended periods from a very early age and rapidly develop new skills such as learning to tell the time, and talking about the weather.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are engrossed and captivated in extremely well planned activities, that introduce them to the world around them. For example, the childminder talks about planting mangos, and other seeds. Firstly she puts them in the water, so the children can learn about germinating the roots, and then plants them in the soil, so they extend their leaning about growth. The childminder uses rich mathematical language through, exciting activities, such as, planting broad beans, and then counting the pods, and comparing sizes of each pod. Children also learn social skills such as sharing while playing games, and observing manners, as they politely ask for toys from the childminder. Play materials are very well organised, readily accessible and set out in a way which is appealing to children.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There is a notice board with plans for children and parents to see, along side children's displays as they enter the house. This means they can continue to discuss topics such as the seasons and what is happening to nature and the weather. The childminder has an extensive range of knowledge of nature, gained from discovering with the children, what things are and where they come from. The childminder is extremely skilled at developing individual children's

p.4

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 knowledge and understanding through discussions and play and effectively meeting their individual needs.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit greatly from the close links that the childminder has forged with all parents. All parents feel extremely comfortable in the childminder's home and speak very highly about the care that their children receive. Parents receive a very comprehensive range of information from the childminder when their children first attend the setting and there is a shared commitment to provide continuity of care for all. Parents are fully informed about the provision through daily catch up sessions, and extremely detailed and evaluative child books and diaries which are filled in by the childminder and parents to allow the regular exchange of useful information and are extremely child-orientated.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave impeccably in response to the praise and encouragement from the childminder. She ensures that at all times she is a positive role model to children; as a result children learn exceptional manners. Children are treated as individuals and equally. The childminder has a significant awareness of equal opportunities and her excellent example teaches children to value diversity both in the home and in the wider world. Children learn about diversity as information about other cultures and this is woven into daily activities.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children flourish as they are made to feel at home and at ease in this environment which is organised to meet their needs and maximise play opportunities. The childminder makes excellent use of resources to maximise children's enjoyment and promote their development. The high quality of this provision means that the childminder meets the needs of the range of children who attend, extremely well and has a high regard for the well-being of all children.

p.5

Organisation

Children benefit greatly from the childminder's experience, skills and qualifications; the childminder continues to update and further her extensive knowledge of childcare by regularly attending courses. She demonstrated through discussion that she has a clear sense of purpose and a commitment to continual improvement

p.5

Organisation

Children's health, safety and wellbeing is promoted effectively because all the legally required documentation is detailed, accurate, up-to-date and shared with parents. In addition, children's care is supported by comprehensive, clearly written policies and procedures.

p.5

Organisation

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

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection a recommendation was made suggesting that the childminder develop the range of resources available to children to reflect race and disability. The childminder has numerous resources that reflect race, culture and disability, and plans activities that are skilfully woven into daily routines. The childminder meets the educational needs of all the children in her care.

p.5

Improvements 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

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

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

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6