Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY250707 Unique Reference Number 16 January 2008 Inspection date Audrey Opal Ufot 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 June 2003. She works from a separate address from her home in Harlesden, in the London Borough of Brent. The ground floor flat of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight; and when working with an assistant may not care for more than seven children under eight; of these, not more than five may be under five years; and of these not more than one may be under one year at any one time. The childminder is currently minding seven children full-time, part-time and after school. The childminder walks to local schools and parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 are cared for in a warm and clean environment because the childminder sustains a good level of cleanliness through the premises. Children have learnt and practice good hygiene and personal care as they know to wash their hands after coming in from outdoor play, before eating and after using the toilet. However, there is not sufficient hand drying materials in the toilet. Children are protected from unnecessary illness as they do not attend if they have an infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Accurate records are kept when medication is administered and accidents and incidents are recorded. Children are safeguarded because the childminder and the assistant has sound understanding about emergency first aid. They both have updated their training in first aid that includes training for infants and young children and there is a first aid box in place that is suitably stocked.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy nutritious meals and snacks and a copy of their menu is available to parents. Children’s individual dietary requirements are known to the childminder and are well met. She follows parents’ strict instructions so that children’s allergy requirements are appropriately met. Children sit and eat their lunch and snacks in a relaxed and social atmosphere as they talk with each other and say 'mmmm' as they eat.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in a range of daily outdoor play activities, for fresh air and exercise that promotes their well-being. For example, in the garden the children independently use child size swings and tell each other whose turn it is to go on the see-saw. Children also have opportunities to go for walks in the community, visit the Local Park and library and go on trips to the zoo.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children explore independently and safely around the welcoming environment. The childminder has organised resources well to enable children to self select from a good range of toys and play equipments that are aged appropriate. These are stored in easily accessible child height stacking containers and boxes. Children are safeguarded because the childminder checks the toys and equipments on a regular basis to reduce any hazards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a child focused environment. The childminder carries out risk assessments to identify and safeguard children. For example, safety gates are at the main entrance door and the kitchen. Children are very aware about safety procedures within the environment; as one child pointed out to the visitor that the safety gate was still open and that the visitor needed to close it. Children are aware of fire safety because they take part in regular fire drills and a current Public liability and car insurance are in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is well protected because the childminder and the assistant have a clear understanding of their role with regard to child protection issues. They know how to implement local procedures. The childminder and her assistant have attended ongoing training to ensure their knowledge is updated.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time at the childminder. Children are happy and settle into the routine and relates well to each other. Children move freely between the passage and play rooms making their own choices about their play, choosing from a wide range of accessible play resources. They have fun whilst taking part in their activities and interact well with the childminder and the assistant. Children’s self-esteem is enhanced frequently because the childminder praises, hugs and cuddles them. Children hear words of encouragement as the childminder and the assistant tell them 'well done' and congratulate them when they have completed their work. As a result children proudly say “I am putting my picture on the wall because this is my name L, that’s my name”.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Childrens interest was captured at circle time as they listened attentively to ‘The Three Little Bear's story. There were opportunities for the children to recognise sizes such as tinny, medium and big. Good use was made of the story on tape, also this was imitated through Makaton.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder set out purposeful role-play resources to encourage children to act out their favourite cartoon characters. Children play with enthusiasm as they dressed-up as Scooby Doo, fairies, princesses and carried hand bags. They put their hand bags in front of them pretending it was a sling with a baby inside. A child said to the visitor ‘'could you fix my baby in my bag so that it won’t fall out”. Children are confident and feel secure in the environment. They show how secure they are by including the visitor into their chalking activity and mentioned that the visitor was their sister.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy within the environment. Children are very familiar with the daily routines which enables them to feel safe and secure. The childminder follows their normal routines as discussed with their parents with regards to sleeping and eating routines. Children enjoy good relationships with the childminder and the assistant. They know the children’s individual needs very well. Children learn about disability and the world they live in because the childminder provides a good range of toys and play resources. There are a wide range of books and toys that reflect different cultures and disability. Children explore and celebrate different religion festivals. This enables children to have an understanding about the community they live in.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with learning difficulties and/or disability are welcomed in the setting. The childminder has a positive attitude towards this area of child care. She has effective policies, procedures and booklets in place to make links with other professionals to ensure that all children make good progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children generally behave well because the childminder encourages them in their behaviour. She teaches the children the difference between right and wrong and encourages them to say sorry and hug each other when a slight disagreement happens.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a friendly and good working relationship with parents. This has enabled her to gather information about the children and to ensure that their well-being is established. Children are provided with individual wallet folders so that parents can easily access their children's art work. All documentations regarding children’s details are completed by parents. The childminder gives parents daily feedback about the progress and achievements children

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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 have made. Good procedures are in place and parents are informed about the complaint policy. However, there is no method in place to record complaints made by parents. The childminder has received good comments from parents about the service she provides.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder and the assistant works together well as a team. They have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. However, further consideration is required to ensure that they deploy themselves in line with adult ratios. They are warm and affectionate towards the children this allows the children to feel relaxed and happy in their care. Children’s self-esteem is enhanced as they are praised, hugged and cuddled frequently. Children’s daily routines are organised well so that it includes a variety of play, physical exercise and learning activities. This helps children’s overall development and ensures that they make good progress. There is sufficient space for children to move around freely and play with different activities and the wide range of toys resources that are provided.

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Organisation

A good range of policies and procedures are in place to promote the well-being of the children. Children have developed a sense of security and belonging because the childminder works with parents to ensure she has good knowledge about children’s needs and circumstances. For example, she follows parents’ strict instructions when medication is administered and ensures their care and dietary needs are meet effectively. Children receive continuity of care as their routines and achievements are shared between parents and the childminder.

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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 previous inspection one action was made: This has now been addressed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The whole garden is now enclosed and secure and equipped with child size physical play equipments. As a result children are now able to play in the garden safely.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required Ofsted or the provider to take action.

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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): • implement in the toilet individual hand drying materials for children's use • devise a method to record complaints made by parents • ensure that staff deployment: adult ratios are maintained at all times in line with the conditions of registration.

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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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