Childminder in Enfield

Inspection report for early years provision

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160066 Unique Reference Number 14 December 2007 Inspection date Jane Davenport 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 1992. She lives with her husband, who at times, works as her assistant, in a three bedroom house, which is situated in the Edmonton area of the London borough of Enfield. The whole of the ground floor of the premises is used for childminding and 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 provide care for six children under eight years, and is currently minding six children on a full and part time basis. She walks with children to take and collect them from a local school and runs a parent toddler group on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has no pets. She is an active member of the National Childminding Association; she has a level three NVQ in childcare and is a trained NVQ assessor.

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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 play in a clean and tidy environment and, from an early age, they learn the importance of good personal hygiene through effective daily routines. Hand washing and nappy changing routines are effective in helping prevent the spread of infection. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a good knowledge of first aid procedures; this means that she can give appropriate care if there is an accident. She records accidents that occur whilst the children are in her care and also existing injuries that children may have when they arrive. Parents give detailed information regarding their child's health requirements and these are extremely well met by the childminder. Parents provide prior written consent to administer medication, however, prior written consent for emergency medical treatment is not currently in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered healthy meals because the childminder has a good understanding of the range of foods which provide a balanced and nutritious diet. Parents are consulted as to their child's dietary requirements, which ensures that they remain healthy. Younger children are encouraged to feed themselves, this is supported by the childminder as she offers praise and encouragement. Parents are given information on a daily basis as to their child's food intake. Drinks are available at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young children receive lots of warmth and affection. This supports their emotional well-being and gives them the confidence to explore new experiences. They have plenty of opportunities on walks and outings for healthy exercise in the fresh air.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming home where risks are identified and minimised. The premises are organised to ensure that safety measures are effective. For example, smoke alarms are maintained in working order, safety gates are in place and there is a secure outdoor play area. Children benefit from playing in a spacious well-organised environment, which allows them to move around safely and independently. The childminder gives priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe. For example, children are reminded not to throw toys because of the dangers of them hurting someone and they discuss road and rail safety as a doll walks on the toy train track. There are systems in place for the safe arrival and departure of children as they are only released into the care of a known adult.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a range of quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. The childminder supervises the children's choice of toys to ensure that they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Younger children are able to have an undisturbed rest in the sitting room.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an effective emergency evacuation procedure which she practises with the children on a regular basis; this helps them to become familiar and confident with what to do should an emergency arise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Effective child protection procedures promote and safeguard children's welfare within the setting. The childminder has attended child protection training and has provided a written child protection policy, which she shares with parents. She has a good understanding of the signs

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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 and symptoms of abuse and knows what action to take if she has concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very well settled in the childminder's home and they relate well to her. They are provided with lots of opportunities to socialise with other children, both within the home and through regular attendance at a local parent and toddler group, which the childminder helps to run. Children enjoy being in the company of the childminder. She provides them with a varied and stimulating range of activities, which promotes their learning in an enjoyable way. For example, all children participate in a craft activity where they are making three-dimensional Christmas trees. They draw around their hands to represent the branches and cut out the shapes, with the childminder giving appropriate support and encouragement regarding the correct use of scissors. The learning opportunities from the activity are then extended effectively by discussions about whose hands are bigger and smaller.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's language development is very well promoted; this is because the childminder takes the time to discuss everyday events and activities with them. For example, as a re-cycling lorry passes the house, she talks about what they are collecting and explains how things like paper and fruit peelings can be re-cycled. They observe birds feeding at the bird table in the garden and learn to identify the different birds as the childminder shows them sparrows, thrushes, pigeons and robins on her flash-cards from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy books, stories and singing immensely and present the childminder with a selection of books they want to look at. She sits with them patiently, giving them all her attention and adding to their enjoyment by using appropriate song and story props such as finger puppets of the five little ducks, five little men in a flying saucer and the mouse and the clock from Hickory Dickory Dock.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of equalities issues. She looks after children from various backgrounds and has a very positive attitude towards diversity. She has an excellent range of toys, equipment and resources that contain many positive images of society and she uses these effectively and in line with her ongoing commitment to providing inclusion for all children and their families.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is positive and sensitive about working with children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities and works closely with parents to ensure that their needs are fully assessed and met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is generally very good; this is as a result of the childminder developing consistent methods for managing behaviour, which takes into account their age, level of understanding and maturity. She uses distraction to excellent effect, for example, when a child begins shredding a tissue, she says positively 'We can make a snow-flake out of that', and when a child starts jumping on a chair, she says 'Come down and let's see how high you can jump on the floor'. She is patient, but firm when she needs to be; good behaviour is positively reinforced by means of praise and affirmation.

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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 Relationships with parents are friendly and supportive, and parents are happy with the care provided. They are made to feel welcome in the childminder's home and are given daily feedback, both verbally and in writing in their diaries, about their child's day. This helps to provide children with consistent care between home and the setting.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children feel settled within the well organised environment, where they receive good adult support to help them feel secure. They are confident to make demands on the childminder, in the knowledge that their requests will be appropriately met.

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Organisation

Record keeping is good. Registers are up-to-date and contain children's hours of attendance. Information kept about children is relevant and helps promote their welfare; regular informal discussions with parents and written feedback ensure continuity of care for the children. The childminder has a very good understanding of the National Standards and comprehensive systems are in place to keep children safe and enable them to make progress; policies and procedures are used effectively to support children's well-being and development.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to keeping herself aware and up-to-date with current childcare trends and to attending further childcare and development courses. This will help her to reflect, monitor and improve the current good quality of care and education offered to children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection a recommendation was made for the childminder to review her written complaints procedure and include the address of Ofsted. She has now reviewed and updated her procedure which means that parents now have access to more up-to-date information should they wish to make a complaint.

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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): • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment

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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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