Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY240754 Unique Reference Number 11 March 2008 Inspection date Maggie Thorp 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 has been registered since April 2003. She lives with her husband, adult daughter and six year old grandson in a three bedroom first floor flat. It is situated in a quiet residential road close to Crouch End in the London borough of Haringey.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for a maximum of five children under eight when working with her husband who assists her, and four children when working alone. Currently, she has three children on roll who attend for a variety of days and times.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children to the communal garden for the flats and visits the park, library and local playgroups on a regular basis. She is a member of National Child Minding Association. The family has no pets.

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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's health is promoted very effectively by the clean environment they are cared for in and the measures that are in place to prevent cross infection. Children have separate bedding, nappy changing mats and separate towels. Good routines are in place to maintain the cleanliness of the childminder's home and parents are not permitted to bring children with infections. The childminder ensures that parents are well informed about the symptoms and exclusion periods for common childhood diseases.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive good care. Each day when children arrive the childminder checks with parents when children have last eaten, if they have slept well over night and if there are any health issues so that children receive appropriate care. The childminder obtains parents' consent to administer medicines and has a current first aid qualification. She records any accidents and chats to parents as they collect children about their day. However, she does not always get parents' signatures on medical forms to ensure they are fully informed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy meals cooked freshly each day and enjoy around the table together. She ensures that plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables are included in the meals. Children enjoy Spanish omelette with green peppers and aubergines and they eat mangoes, oranges and grapes for afternoon snack. Children eat few sugary or processed foods but do enjoy the cakes they make with the childminder. Children can drink whenever they are thirsty as water is always available.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are getting lots of exercise and opportunities to develop new physical skills. Indoors there is lots of space to for children to move freely and they enjoy propelling wheeled toys up and down the long hallway at the childminder's flat. Children also run and play in the communal garden belonging to the flats. They have lively singing sessions and dance with the childminder to Salsa music. Children walk to the library and local park where they run, climb, slide and play ball. Children attend a singing class each week and a play group where they have further exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy the warm welcoming environment the childminder has created. Her home is well equipped so children eat, sleep and play in comfort. Toddlers enjoy the freedom they have to potter between the lounge and kitchen that are well equipped for play. Young children sleep undisturbed as there are two bedrooms for naps. There is a communal garden for outdoor play and children are taken out most days.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Their independence is fostered well in the bathroom which is well resourced for nappy changing and toileting. Children stand on the little steps so that they can wash their own hands, brush their teeth, and towels are within their reach. At the table children have safe seating for their different ages, and the younger children sleep safely in travel cots. The childminder rarely uses her car for childminding but has appropriate seating for carrying children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Many other safety measures are in place but children are not kept safe from all potential hazards by the childminder. Children cannot access cleaning materials as low cupboards have opening restrictors on them, sockets are covered, and the childminder and her assistant closely supervise children both indoors and when they are out with children. The childminder has done a risk

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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 assessment regarding fire safety and practises leaving as if in an emergency. There are two fire exits from the flat, smoke alarms and a fire blanket are in place and gas safety checks are carried out annually.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

However, children are at risk from intruders as the childminder sometimes opens the kitchen fire escape door and the bottom of sash windows in the bedroom and bathroom for ventilation. Children are never left unsupervised in the kitchen and bathroom or are able to get out of their travel cots in the bedrooms but the flat is surrounded by scaffolding currently and this practice does not ensure that intruders cannot enter the premises this way. Children are safeguarded by the childminder's knowledge of the signs of possible child abuse and how to follow up concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy the freedom they have to explore and the wide range of activities they are offered and so are learning as they play. Babies enjoy the different textures of the treasure basket the childminder has made as they handle the smooth and rough surfaces of different objects. Children persist as they try to complete shape sorter toys and puzzles because the adults caring for them encourage them and praise their attempts. In addition, as adults play with children they are learning colour names and to count as they play. Children enjoy taking part in real tasks, they help beat the eggs for an omelette, to wash up and to mix ingredients when making cakes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's language skills are developing rapidly aided by the good support and encouragement of the childminder and her assistant. They enjoy singing and know the words and accompanying actions of many songs. Children's interest is enhanced by the childminder's use of story and song props, they count and sing as a glove puppet of little monkeys is used, Because the children are secure in the care of the childminder and her assistant they chat and point and vocalise all day long. Their carers are quick to respond to this. They name objects, describe actions and chat about what they are doing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are creative and imaginative in their play helped by the resources the childminder provides for children to develop these skills. There are a good range of pretend play materials at hand and children potter around the flat feeding their dolls and putting them to sleep. They play with doll's houses, train sets and take toys for walks in doll's prams. Children make pictures with glitter, felt and glue, they paint and make models both at the childminder's home and at the toddler group she takes them to.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy, confident and independent in the care of the childminder and her assistant. They know children well, as they have gathered lots of information about children's individual needs and home circumstances. They include this in their routines and conversations with children ensure children have continuity of care and that they can chat intelligently about what is important to each child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning to value their own and others' backgrounds and those with disabilities. They learn songs in each others' languages and those of the childminder and assistant. They play with dolls, books and dressing up clothes that represent different backgrounds for example,

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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 those of Japanese and Asian people. There are lots of photographs displayed and puzzles that show other cultures and those with disabilities positively. In addition, children are encouraged to play with all the toys and are learning that certain toys are not just for boys or just for girls. Boys play with dolls and girls with trains.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children relate well to adults and each other encouraged by the praise and support of those caring for them. They are relaxed in the care of the adults and even very young children play well together with very few disputes. This is helped by the good attention children receive and the amount of available play materials. The childminder has a few simple rules which children understand and are helped to follow for example, staying at the table whilst eating. Their good behaviour is also reinforced by the frequent praise they receive. Children are learning good manners, they respond well to gentle reminders to say please and thank you.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good systems that are in place to build partnerships with parents. Parents are provided with clear information in contracts and displays about the childminding service including how to make a complaint. Detailed contact information is recorded and information about who can collect children. The childminder has obtained most of the appropriate written consents from parents to ensure their wishes are respected. However, this does not include consent for children to receive medical treatment in an emergency. The childminder makes time each day to chat to parents and keeps a daily diary of what children have done, how they have eaten and any other significant events.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy, confident and learning in the care of the childminder and her assistant. Her home is well organised for play and the childminder plans weekly trips and visits to enhance what she can provide at home. Good systems are in place to promote children's health in regard to preventing infection, diet and exercise. Children's well being is protected by some sound practice particularly in relation to fire safety. However, the risks relating to how the flat is ventilated have not been effectively assessed to ensure children's safety.

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Organisation

Parents are generally well informed about the service the childminder offers, and the childminder is well informed about the individual needs of children by the records in place. However, there are weaknesses in the childminder's documentation to ensure it fully protects children. The daily times children arrive and leave are not always recorded each day. Medicine records do not always include the childminder's and parents' signatures to show that parents know that medicines have been given and parents' written consent for their child to receive medical treatment in an emergency is not obtained.

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Organisation

The quality of care the children receive is enhanced by the childminder's commitment to constantly updating her knowledge and understanding of child care and development. She makes good use of local authority courses to this end. 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 good progress in putting into effect the recommendations made at that time. In regard to the recommendation for her to develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues, she has attended training and now

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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 has a good grasp of how to safeguard children. In addition, she has all the local guidance to hand to use as a reference should she have any concerns about a child.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The second recommendation made was to provide toys and equipment that reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability. The childminder is well equipped to encourage children's interest in and ability to value others' similarities and differences now. Her play materials, displays and her interest in encouraging children to learn a few songs and words of different languages all support this well.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 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. 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): • improve the way children's attendance, medicine records and consent for children to be given medical treatment in an emergency is recorded to ensure children are fully protected • make the way the flat is ventilated more safe for children

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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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