Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY267232 Unique Reference Number 07 March 2008 Inspection date Anahita Aderianwalla 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 has been registered since 2003. She is registered to care for may care for no more than four children under eight years; of these not more than three may be under five years, and of these not more than two may be under one year at any one time.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is not registered for overnight care. The childminder currently cares for six children, on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She lives with her husband and two children aged fourteen and eighteen years. Their house is in a quiet road in Enfield, a suburb of London. Most local amenities are reachable by car. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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 protected from cross-infection and their good health is promoted because the childminder follows good hygiene practices in order to prevent the spread of infection. For example, the toys babies place in their mouths are washed, and children have individual bedding and towels. She has a good understanding of health and hygiene issues. Children effectively learn about their own personal hygiene and how to keep healthy through daily routines and well-planned experiences. For example, washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet, or after messy activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

All the required documentation to promote the children's good health is in place. In addition the childminder has an excellent range of well-written policies and procedures which underpin her working practices.

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Helping children to be healthy

The parents provide the meals, and all food is stored appropriately. The childminder provides a healthy snack, such as fruit, bread sticks and toast. The childminder provides lots of practical first-hand experiences to help children learn about foods that are good for them and where food comes from. Children have access to fresh drinking water throughout the day, in their own individual coloured beakers.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children experience physical activity and develop their skills because the childminder plans a good range of activities and play opportunities to develop the children’s physical development. For example, they go on outings to the Southbury Leisure centre, where there is a soft play area with a ball pond the children love to play in. The childminder also takes children to a baby gym, and visits the local park, and library. The garden is well equipped and children enjoy good opportunities for physical play when they play with the sit-and-ride toys, two age related swings, a play house, and a sand pit.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a clean and well organised environment. There is ample space for children to move around and explore their environment. Toys and resources provided are age and stage appropriate for the children attending and are set out attractively to create an accessible and stimulating environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

In order for children to move around safely, the childminder has taken positive steps to promote safety within the home, minimising possible hazards. For example, safety gates have been fitted to areas of the home where children are not allowed unsupervised, and harmful materials, such as cleaning products, are not kept in the toilet facility used by the children. Smoke alarms have been fitted to each level of the home and a clear fire evacuation procedure has been devised. However, the fire drill has not been practised with the children, and this does not allow children and the childminder to act promptly in the event a fire. Children are safe on outings, they are supervised at all times and the childminder talks to the children about how to cross the road safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and is aware of possible signs a child may exhibit, that may indicate they are being harmed. The childminder is aware

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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 of the correct procedure to follow in recording and reporting concerns and all polices are inline with Local Safeguarding Children Board legislation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from the good and meaningful interaction of their caring childminder. Children receive excellent support because the childminder plans a broad range of experiences to promote their all-round development. The childminder knows the children well and makes useful observations in a diary of what they can do, to help her plan stimulating activities to help them fulfil their potential.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have access to a dedicated play room, with bright displays, lots of interesting posters and photos and a good selection of toys and resources are available. A range of activities are set out to allow children to choose what they wish to play with, this helps to develop their independence skills. Children enjoy a warm and affectionate relationship with the childminder, and they often include her in their play as they offer her games and other toys. Children are very well supported as they are continually praised and encouraged for their achievements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Toys and activities include, games, puzzles, push and pull along toys, colourful books and interactive toys. There are good opportunities for children to be creative and use their imagination as they paint, experiment with play dough and have access to the play kitchen. Lots of soft toys, shape sorters and large floor jigsaws are provided for the younger children. The childminder plays music and nursery rhymes and encourages children to join in with the songs. This creates a fun and playful environment for the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the positive approach to difference promoted by the childminder. The childminder takes steps to promote awareness of the wider community by providing a selection of toys and resources portraying different cultures, religions and other positive images. Children enjoy celebrating various festivals and other occasions as they do activities around Diwali, make celebratory cards, and wear saris from pieces of materials and visit the library to join stories about different festivals. The childminder is very aware of increasing her resources, from the toy library, promoting a wider range of images for children to learn about the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved as the childminder offers lots of praise and encouragement during positive behaviour and maintains consistency with boundaries. When managing negative behaviour, the childminder uses a positive approach to maintain a calm atmosphere. Children’s good behaviour is promoted very well because they are cared for with consistency and in a positive manner. They receive lots of praise and encouragement for the things they do which fully develops their self-esteem and confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good partnership that has been established between parents and the childminder. Parents are involved in the care of their children whilst with the childminder as they discuss children's needs prior to starting and receive daily feedback with regards to the daily routines, and other relevant issues. This information is also kept in individual diary books for each parent. They have access to information about how to contact Ofsted, along with a clear complaints procedure. This good working relationship supports children's individual needs, ensures children receive consistent care, and helps them feel a sense of security and belonging.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are effectively protected because the childminder and other adults living on the premises have undergone checks to ensure they are suitable to be in contact with children.

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Organisation

The childminder has undertaken all the required training to become a childminder and evaluates her provision through parent questionnaires. The childminder has a commitment to further training to develop her childminding practice. Children’s care is greatly enriched by the childminder’s enthusiasm. Children benefit from the childminder’s excellent organisation of time, space and resources.

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Organisation

All documentation is systematically organised with a high regard for confidentiality and the promotion of the children’s welfare and learning.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to develop knowledge and understanding of learning difficulties and/or disabilities, to develop play equipment to reflect positive images of disability and increase the range of resources to promote equality of opportunity. The childminder has increased resources to provide a good range of equipment that reflects positive images of different cultures, disability and equality, and has developed her knowledge and understanding of learning difficulties and/or disabilities, which helps children to develop their understanding of the wider world. The childminder was also required to develop knowledge and understanding on behaviour management. The childminder has undertaken training, and uses a lot of distraction techniques. Children are very well behaved in the care of the childminder. This contributes to the well being of children in the home.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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.

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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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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):

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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 • continue to develop play equipment to reflect positive images of the wider world

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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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