Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY222496 Unique Reference Number 30 January 2008 Inspection date Carolyn Mary Hasler 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 satisfactory. 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 2002. She lives in a three bedroom terraced house with her three children, one adult child, a three and a seven year old, in Lower Edmonton in the London Borough of Enfield. Areas of the house used for childminding are the ground floor living room, rear garden and first floor bathroom. She is currently registered to care for four children and has four children on roll, one of which is over eight years.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The Childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are learning how to live healthy lifestyles. They have lots of opportunities to be active, stretching and developing muscle strength through walks to the park, use of play ground equipment and push and ride toys. They are all learning about personal hygiene, older children are using the toilets independently while toddlers and babies are dependent on the childminder for care but are developing skills in using the potty and washing hands with baby wipes. They

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 have a clean and well presented environment to play in because the childminder's cleaning routines ensure that floors, surfaces and toys are kept clean and well maintained. She pays particular attention to toys and play equipment which toddlers mouth.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

If children have an accident or become sick while on the premises, the childminder ensures that they are comfortable and follows her procedure ensuring parents are informed and emergency services are called if necessary. She has a current first aid certificate and the first aid kit is kept close at hand, this ensures that they can access immediate first aid attention. The childminder ensures that there are systems in place to record all regulated data such as accidents, administration of medication and incidents.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about how to eat healthily because the childminder offers children a healthy and balanced diet. They receive a freshly prepared cooked meal and fresh fruit each day. Drinks are at hand through their day ensuring that they are hydrated. Information on each child's individual dietary needs has been collected and recorded to ensure that their individual needs are met.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed into the childminder's home, the childminder is warm and friendly and they are greeted with an array of colourful and interesting toys and play equipment. They have access to most of the ground floor and the toilet which is situated on the first floor. Early arrivals also have access to the first floor for short periods of time. The rear garden currently is not used for minding purposes. Furniture in the main play area has been arranged to maximise floor space for play, there are comfortable places to sit and rest and children use the family table for meals. They do not access the kitchen as space is very tight in this area. There is natural light from the windows at both the front and the back of the house, these can be opened to allow ventilation. A gas fire keeps the play area warm. The environment is conducive to playing and learning.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Toys and play equipment are stored in boxes at floor level, the childminder rotates her toys so that they have variety. Toys, equipment and nursery furniture are age appropriate, of good quality and well maintained. Children are learning how to keep themselves safe through timely reminders from the childminder who points out dangers to them and they are learning basic road safety skills such as holding onto the buggy and holding hands. The main play area has successfully been risk assessed and hazards removed. However, children who have unsupervised access to the bathroom are exposed to hazards due to recent flood damage. Consequently children's safety is compromised.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates an acceptable knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She was familiar with the different categories of abuse, their signs and symptoms, when it is appropriate to discuss her concerns with parents, how to record and report her concerns. Her local authority has issued her with guidance to follow should she have a concern. However, she lacked confidence in her knowledge of what happens when an allegation is made against a member of her household. Consequently this compromises children's safety.

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are building confidence and self-esteem, they demonstrate this by their increasing independence skills such as feeding themselves and choosing toys and play equipment for themselves. Their relationship with the childminder is trusting and this helps them form friendships with each other. They are hearing language all around them while they play. The childminder uses familiar songs with children to help them build confidence in their language development. They are enjoying books, both listening to stories and looking at books on their own. The childminder talks to children while they play, about what they are doing. When older children arrive from nursery she shows interest in their day and this helps them feel important. Creative development is encouraged through painting and sticking activities, and children have access to an easel were they can create chalk pictures. They use their imaginations while role

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

playing in particular enjoying the tool kit and cooking equipment. Shape sorters, programmable toys help children practise familiar skills and build on what they already know as they begin to concentrate for short periods of time.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are learning about their own cultures and lifestyles and those of other people. All the children using the service and the childminder come from a common cultural back ground, however visits to the park, toddlers and nursery help children to build other relationships and grasp an understanding of the differences of others. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of equality issues, she ensures that children are not discriminated against in any way and that all have the same opportunities to play and learn. Stereotypical ideas are talked about and explored. A small variety of play equipment has been provided which offer children positive images of culture, religion and disability, this helps them begin to explore and investigate their thoughts and feelings.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Although the childminder currently does not work with any children who have special needs or disabilities, she demonstrates a competent knowledge and understanding of the issues involved. She is committed to working in partnership with parents and when required other professional bodies. The childminder takes account of current children's needs and her setting before entering into a new care arrangement. However she is enthusiastic to support children's development and skills to meet realistic milestones. The childminder makes all reasonable adjustments to care arrangements in order to help children meet their full potential.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's social skills are currently limited, due to their age and ability to share both attention from the childminder and equipment. However, the childminder offers children positive attention and works hard to keep them occupied. She is aware of triggers to behaviour such as tiredness and hunger and responds appropriately. Strategies to manage inappropriate behaviour such as hitting or spitting are shared with parents and this helps to ensure consistency. She is sensitive to their age and ability to understand. Positive language is used with children throughout their day and they are praised and acknowledged. The childminder is striving to help children understand concepts such as sharing and taking turns. Consequently children are beginning to build friendships and learn social skills which will help them manage their own behaviour appropriately.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit when partnerships between parent and the childminder are secure. On initial contact the childminder provides parents with information about her service, she collects all

p.4

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 the personal information required through regulation to ensure that children's care is tailored to individual needs. Business agreements ensure that both parties understand their roles and responsibilities and helps to establish a professional relationship. A sensitive approach to separation issues helps children build trusting relationships with the childminder and in turn make friends. This helps children settle well. Although the childminder has a complaints procedure in place, parents are offered limited advice and although the childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of how to respond to complaints, children are at risk from lack of information available to parents.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for by the childminder who shows a caring attitude towards them and this helps them feel happy and secure. She has completed a basic course in childcare and a number of short work shops to help her keep herself up to date in childcare issues. The childminder has been vetted by the Criminal Records Bureau to ensure that she is a suitable person to have contact with children and is currently taking steps to ensure that her son who has just turned sixteen also undertakes vetting procedures. The general organisation of her service ensures children are learning about how to keep healthy and stay safe. They enjoy themselves while at the childminder's house, their achievements are acknowledged and affirmed. They are building social skills with the support of the childminder and visits to community groups which also helps them find out about others who are different to themselves. This helps them contribute

p.5

Organisation

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

p.5

Organisation

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 the childminder agreed to review her recordkeeping. In particular she was asked to review her attendance record, accident record, her administration of medication records which include prior written consent and records of children's individual special needs or medical needs. In addition she agreed to obtain written parental consent for emergency treatment or advice. The Childminder has reviewed all of the above records and ensures that where necessary parents' permissions have been sought. This ensures that children's health, welfare and safety has been appropriately monitored.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

In addition the childminder agreed to make sure that garden and inside areas are free from hazards. The garden remains hazardous for children and the childminder has made this area out of bounds, ensuring children's safety. However, the bathroom currently poses a hazard to unsupervised younger children. This compromises their safety and remains an area for development.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been now complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. The provider is

p.5

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 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.5

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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.6

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 ensure that adequate supervision is provided for children when appropriate. • ensure all members of the household over the age of 16 years have completed vetting procedures • further develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues • review the complaints procedure and record to ensure that it is in line with changes in regulations in October 2005

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