Smith, Mary Josephine

Inspection report for early years provision

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160094 Unique Reference Number 07 November 2007 Inspection date Carolyn Mary Hasler 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 satisfactory. 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 1996. She lives with her two teenaged children on the Willow Road estate, an area within the London Borough of Enfield. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding five children on a part time basis. One child under five and four children of school age before and after school. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school and attends toddler groups and the library for story times. The family has a pet cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are learning how to lead healthy lifestyles. They have access to fresh air and exercise each day, enjoying walks around the park where they have opportunities to play on large apparatus and visit soft play areas. Older children are independent in the toilet areas, they understand and are encouraged to practise good hygiene. However, toddlers receive insufficient

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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 encouragement to practise washing their hands. Regular and consistent cleaning routines ensure that the environment, equipment and play resources are maintained and provide a clean environment for children to play in. In the event that a child becomes sick, the childminder is able to respond appropriately to care arrangements. She has all the required documentation to underpin her service.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about healthy eating, younger children are offered snacks of fruit and drinks throughout their day. Children who are on the premises after school are offered a cooked evening meal from predominantly fresh ingredients. The childminder has collected the appropriate information on each child to ensure that she meets each child's individual dietary requirements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel welcomed into the childminder's home because she creates a warm family environment, treating children with respect and kindness. Floor space has been maximised to ensure children have plenty of space to play. Children have access to natural light from windows both at the front and the back of the through lounge. The temperature is comfortable and conducive to playing and learning. They have easy access to a ground floor bathroom, kitchen and rear garden. Children can assess toys and play resources because the childminder ensures they are stored in cupboards and boxes that they can easily reach. Their toys and play resources are of good quality and appropriate to the age range of children cared for.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning how to keep themselves safe. The childminder sets boundaries which help children understand acceptable behaviour. They are learning basic road safety skills, learning to hold hands while crossing the roads. The childminder has taken precautions to protect children from house fires, however she has failed to risk assess other hazards within the home. For example, front door security or sufficiently risk assessing practice issues to ensure children are safe at all times. This compromises children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Vulnerable children are protected from abuse because the childminder has sufficient knowledge and understanding of child protection issues including signs and symptoms and has a comprehensive procedure to follow issued by her local authority.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to be confident and independent individuals. They build trusting relationships with the childminder who is friendly and caring. The childminder cares for two sets of siblings who build strong relationships with the childminder which in turn helps them form friendships. Conversation between the childminder and children is free flow, young children are learning how to take turns in listening and responding, their vocabulary is extended through the introduction of adjectives. The organisation of resources means that they can easily access and make choices in their play. While older children are attending school younger children enjoy a wide variety of activities both at the childminder's home and away. They are encouraged to use all their senses to explore and investigate. Their creative development is encouraged through activities such as playing with musical instruments, play dough and exploring colour with crayons

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and pencils. They are developing their understanding of how things work and work out ways to solve simple problems such as how to make the beads move upwards on the bead trail. Television time is supervised and the childminder uses this as a learning tool.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are beginning to learn about their own cultures and those of others around them. They have opportunities to socialize and make new friends when visiting toddlers or school. They celebrate different cultures through trying foods from around the world such as foods from Mexico, Asia, China and Italy. The childminder has provided children with a small selection of play resources which help children to build positive images of other people's culture and religion. However, they lack opportunities to explore and investigate their thoughts and feelings about disability and challenge stereo typical ideas through play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Although the childminder is currently not working with any children who have learning disabilities or special needs, she demonstrates an appropriate level of understanding involved and would be willing to work closely with both parents and professional bodies ensuring this is not to the detriment of other children she cares for. She understands her limitations regarding medical needs. The childminder takes care to ensure that all children are able to access resources and activities and those who need additional help are supported. She is willing to make all reasonable adjustments to ensure that all children meet their full potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder's positive outlook on good behaviour. They are praised and encouraged in all that they do. The childminder has strategies in place to support their good behaviour which takes account of children's level of understanding and ability to respond. They are learning how to control their own behaviour and solve disagreements through negotiation and discussion. Older children are able to share and take turns with popular pieces of equipment. They show affection and caring attitudes towards each other and are mindful of younger children. The good behaviour of individuals influences the group's behaviour and as a result children are well behaved.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from positive relationships between their parents and carers and the childminder. Initial contact is a positive experience for them; because they visit and begin building trusting relationships before care arrangements commence. Information on individual children is in place which covers the requirements set out in the National Standards and business arrangements establish agreements between both parties. The childminder struggles with consistency when maintaining a professional relationship with parents and this sometimes confuses important issues such as safety. A complaints procedure is in place and the childminder is able to demonstrate what happens when a complaint is received in writing and provide parents with the relevant information.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder works towards ensuring children's wellbeing and safety by ensuring that all members of her household over the age of 16 years have undergone a criminal records check. Children are learning how to live healthy lifestyles, they are learning to be independent in self care skills, have opportunities to be active and receive regular drinks and meals. Although the premises have not been adequately risk assessed, children are generally learning about how to keep safe. Children enjoy themselves while on the premises and the childminder acknowledges their achievements. They are becoming positive contributors to their community and are learning social skills such as how to share and take turns.

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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 The childminder's record keeping underpins her service. She demonstrates an appropriate understanding of privacy and confidentiality issues and provides a secure place to store confidential records.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to extend her policy for the exclusion of sick and infectious children and obtain information about communicable diseases. This has now been met, which means that children are protected from infection and their health is safeguarded. In addition the childminder agreed to review her contracts with parents on a regular basis. This has now been met, which means that information collected on children is updated therefore protecting children's health and wellbeing.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • risk assess the premises and act on identified hazards • provide positive images through toys and play resources of disability and gender issues • promote young children's independence and understanding of good hygiene by introducing washing hands at appropriate times of the day.

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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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