Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY241591 Unique Reference Number 26 November 2007 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 was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and two school aged children in a three bedroom house in Muswell Hill in the London borough of Barnet. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. This includes a living room, play room, toilet, kitchen and a small quiet room. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for a maximum of five children under eight and she currently has four children on role. The family have a rabbit and goldfish as pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She also has a National Diploma in Childcare. The childminder attends local play groups during the week and takes and collects children from school.

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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 effectively because the childminder keeps her home clean and well maintained and has good systems in place for preventing the spread of infection. The floors, toys and bathroom children use are all spotless. Parents know not to bring children with infections as this is clearly spelt out in their contract with the childminder. Wipes and disposable tissues are used for each child. In addition children are beginning to learn about keeping themselves healthy in regard to wiping noses and washing hands.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children needing medicines, first aid or who have accidents are protected by the up to date first aid knowledge the childminder has gained and good record keeping. Children's individual needs and routines from home are recorded in detail and carefully followed. New developments such as children beginning to use a potty are introduced after discussion with parents to ensure there is continuity of care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eat well. They all sit around the table together and these are relaxed times. Children have the food parents send for them and fresh fruit and drinks are provided by the childminder. Each child has their own labelled cup for water, which is available through out the day. Children are only given the foods the childminder knows they are allowed to eat as she collects detailed information from parents about this. She even checks the consistency of food babies and toddlers are used to and plans any changes with the parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to exercise and to develop their physical skills. They go out every day to local groups and the park. However, children only have limited use of the childminder's garden. After the school run the car is often left at the school and so children walk to local groups, a baby gym and the park where they run, jump, climb and balance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have lots of space and a light, warm environment for play indoors and this is well equipped. They enjoy helping themselves to a wide variety of toys in the play room from the low storage drawers and they use the additional space there is for play in the adjacent living room. Children can sit up to the kitchen table for meals and art activities as there are seats for each age of child to enable them to reach. Children sleep undisturbed by others as there is a separate room for naps downstairs. The toilet and wash basin is downstairs so children can access these easily. There is a good selection of outdoor play resources however, the garden is not currently in use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe on outings and when visiting local groups and play areas as the childminder has safety seats with five anchor points in her car for the different aged children she carries. She closely supervises children at groups and ensures young children are strapped into the buggy in the street. Indoors, children are prevented from accessing the stairs and the kitchen unsupervised by the gates in pace. Children at an age of putting everything in their mouths can not reach toys with small parts and all indoor play is well supervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

However, recent building alterations have resulted in some hazards that the childminder has not assessed the risk of and taken action to make safe. Examples of these are in the kitchen, metal radiator brackets are protruding at child height and low cupboards for dish washing

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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 products do not have safety catches. Also new sockets are not fully attached to the walls in the quiet room that parents use to put their children's coats on. Children are supervised in the kitchen and quiet room but these still present hazards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded from abuse by the childminder's knowledge and understanding of the types and signs of possible abuse. She is clear about when to report any concerns and who to tell. However, the childminder does not have the local guidance so she does not fully understand the procedure for following up reported concerns to further safeguard children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, engaged and learning as they play. They enjoy imaginative play with dolls, the pretend play kettle, washing machine and tea set. Children offer the childminder meals encouraged by her willingness to eat and her thanks for what they have served her. Older children have dressing up clothes and shoes and younger children are sometimes drawn into their extended role play too.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's creativity is encouraged by the opportunities they have for painting, sticking and drawing at the groups they attend each morning and at the childminder's home. A recent project children took part in was to cut out pictures of toys and to stick them in on a stocking shaped paper as their letter to Father Christmas.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are becoming very confident and skilled in doing puzzles and are able to concentrate well as they do so. The childminder helps them fit difficult pieces in so they can succeed. Children's dexterity is also fostered by their play with construction toys such as linking rings and stickle bricks. They are exploring lots of different materials as they play. Children enjoy stirring and feeling flour as they cook with the childminder or make their own play dough.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children's experiences and their language skills are enhanced by the role the childminder takes. She comments on colour, size and number. She reads to children and has a wide selection of books. She encourages children to match colours and shapes and to talk about what they see. Children also have some exciting outings. They visit a zoo in school holidays and have been fruit and vegetable picking. Children picked corn on the cob then had great fun cooking it and eating it at the childminder's home afterwards.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are secure and confident in the care of the childminder. This is aided by her good understanding of each child's needs and the warmth of the relationship between her and the children. Tired children snuggle into her arms for a cuddle and quickly fall asleep when laid down. The childminder's positive approach to managing children's behaviour helps children get on well together and often avoids upsets. Older toddlers are praised for being kind to younger ones. They are helped to remember to do this by the childminder quietly saying 'nicely' as one child approaches another and then praising them when they are gentle. Children about to get upset about not being able to visit the rabbit in the garden are swiftly diverted to a story.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing good self esteem through the childminder's care but they have limited opportunities to find out about and learn to value others similarities and differences. They

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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 meet children from a variety of different backgrounds at the groups they visit. One or two books and toys at the childminder's house reflect diversity. However, the childminder is not very clear about how to develop children's interest and understanding further.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the strong supportive relationships the childminder has built with parents. New parents are encouraged to take time over settling their children into her care. Records are kept of parents contact details, the individual needs of children and their routines. The childminder has a little book for each child that parents and the childminder contribute to. It begins with a typed sheet describing the child's routine at home which she pastes into the inside cover as a guide for her own care. Each day she records what children have done, what they have eaten and any new stages of development. Parents add their own comments and this helps her keep channels of communication open, especially when someone other than the parent collects a child sometimes.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children enjoy their time with the childminder who organises her day well to enable her to spend quality time with the children and to take them to interesting places to play. She has good systems in place to foster children's good health and to record such things as attendance, accidents and any concerns she may have.

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Organisation

However, she has not carried out a sufficiently thorough risk assessment to fully protect children. The childminder has not notified the regulator of significant events, that is the new extension that has been built on to her house. This is a regulation.

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Organisation

The childminder understands how much children benefit from their parents being able to trust her and for there to be good communication and she has made sure this is so very effectively. 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 improved her ability to care for children if they are hurt by following the recommendation to update her first aid qualification. She has developed more accurate records of children's attendance as recommended at that time too. However, the childminder has not fully followed other recommendations made. In regard to notifying Ofsted the childminder did not report the planned new extension and how children would be safeguarded. The recommendation about improving the childminder's knowledge and understanding of child protection issues has been partly carried out. She has a good understanding of the signs of abuse but does not have the local guidance to ensure any concerns reported are then followed up appropriately. Another recommendation was for the childminder to develop more resources to help children value different cultures. This has yet to be done.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last 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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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 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): • put in place the plans to make the garden safe and secure so children can enjoy the opportunities to play there and risk assess all areas indoors to ensure that there are no hazards accessible to children • obtain the local guidance regarding how to proceed if there are concerns about a child • devise more effect ways to help children to value their own and other's similarities and differences

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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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