Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY268707 Unique Reference Number 22 January 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 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 2003. She lives with her two school aged children in Hornsey in the London Borough of Haringey. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and two bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs. 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 three children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five. She walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler groups. The family has gold fish, a dog, a cat and a budgerigar.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives training and support from the local authority. She is currently working towards an NVQ level 3 qualification in childcare.

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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 very well cared for in the childminder's clean well maintained home. The childminder follows a cleaning schedule which includes emptying and checking the fridge freezer and ensuring food is in date, steam cleaning the carpets and doing regular health checks on her dog, cat and budgerigar. The pets are fed before children arrive and their dishes are removed so children can not access them. When caring for babies the cat and dog are kept out of the area they play.

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Helping children to be healthy

In addition, children are learning about good hygiene. They wash their hands after playing outdoors and using the bathroom. Parents bring a toothbrush for their child so that the childminder can help children learn how to brush their teeth after meals. They talk about how they brush their teeth and comb their hair as they play with puzzles showing children doing these things.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and can talk confidently about which foods help them to be healthy. The childminder provides children with a varied diet that includes lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Children are encouraged to try new foods but only those which the childminder knows are appropriate for each child. Mealtimes are relaxed enjoyable times and children are consulted about the content of meals. Children also learn about healthy eating through play. They enjoy playing a board game about healthy eating. Later a game of shops provokes a discussion about food they like and food that is good for you. The children and childminder decide to buy grapes, apple juice and brown bread.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is able to take good care of children if they have accidents or need medicines. She has kept her first aid training up to date and she records accidents and any medicines she is asked to administer and ensures that parents are kept informed. In addition she has a list of illnesses and their exclusion times and a poster about symptoms that parents should look out for like streaming noses, and that indicate children are infectious and should stay at home.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy fresh air and exercise. They are also becoming increasingly agile. They play in the garden with wheeled toys, sand and water. Children go to an adventure zone where they develop their skills in climbing, balancing and throwing balls. At the park children swing and climb, take a ball and play football there. Children's small physical skills are encouraged as they do puzzles, build with blocks and as younger children use shape sorters.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have attractive, child friendly places to play indoors and outside. Displays of posters, pictures and information for parents add to the attractiveness of the childminder's home. Children mainly use the ground floor where there is a through lounge. Half of this room is very well set out for play. The other half forms a cosy sitting area for quiet times and space to relax. Children eat and do art activities in the kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are bedrooms upstairs where children can sleep undisturbed. Children also go upstairs for the toilet, the childminder accompanies young children and allows older children to use this independently. Children do so safely as cosmetics are on high shelves, the facilities are clean, and children have a special seat so they able to use the toilet in comfort. Each child chooses

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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 the colour towel they want to use each day to help them remember which is theirs. Children play outdoors in most weathers as there is a paved patio where they use sand and water and wheeled toys. There is also a large lawn in this fully enclosed garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very confident and independent as they choose from the many toys that the childminder has. In one morning children play with puppets, board games, the garage and cars, puzzles, and with painting and sticking resources. Safety equipment is in place for example, stair gates, a baby monitor and car safety seats for each age child with five point harnesses for babies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe in the childminder's care because she has this as a high priority. She uses a comprehensive checks list before children arrive to ensure that wires are not trailing, the stair gate is in place, doors are hooked back and finger guards are in place and nothing hazardous has been left out by the family. All cupboards and drawers at a low level have safety locks including electrical appliances. Fire safety is generally good; however, the fire blanket is not well positioned as one has to lean over the gas hob to reach it. Safety is also a priority outdoors for the childminder. She checks for hazards and uses safety bracelets for children that have her telephone number on in case a child gets lost.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder's awareness of the signs of possible abuse safeguard children. She knows who to contact with any concerns and to keep careful records. However, she is less confident about using the local guidance to ensure that she follows up concerns once they have been reported.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are busy, learning and very focused in their play. The easy access children have to the childminder's many play materials stimulates their imaginative play very effectively. Moreover, children's enjoyment and learning is further enhanced by the role the childminder takes. Children concentrate well as they devise imaginary worlds with the cars, garage and roadways they set out. They get into long discussions in role play for example, when playing shops with the childminder. She plays board games with children and they learn about turn taking, and coping with possibly losing. This is made easier by children using a glove puppet so that the puppet not the child might lose.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are learning to count, to identify the letters in words and to enjoy books. The childminder has a large selection of story and factual books that children help themselves to. She reads to children and follows up any interest they show in reading, for example, by using fridge magnet letters. Children are encouraged to count as part of games and daily routines. At snack time they count the grapes on their plate. Older children play games such as Scrabble and Monopoly. Children enjoy trips to the park and a recent planned visit by fire fighters to the childminder's home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's creativity and their interest in nature is encouraged very effectively by the activities the childminder plans around the seasons. In autumn children collect leaves and compare and try to name what they find. Then they make leaf collages. In winter they do activities connected to the weather. Children use glue, cotton balls and paint to make rain clouds. However, sometimes children's enjoyment and learning is limited by the childminder not providing children with enough space, time and resources to get the most out of using art materials.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 childminder has begun to make written observations of what children do and what they learn from all these activities by making 'learning journey records' for each child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are secure and confident in the childminder's care. This is aided by the childminder obtaining lots of information about new children's needs, preferences and home routines from parents. She has a slow settling in period so children gradually get used to being separated from their parents. However, information about children's home languages and names for family members are not always obtained to further inform the conversations she has with children. Children are happy and relaxed at her home. They chat freely and do not hesitate in asking for what they want or for help with a task.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning to value their own cultures and abilities and those of others. This is aided by the wide variety of play materials that reflect different cultures, disability and gender roles very positively. Puzzles show children in wheel chairs doing every day tasks as ably as any other child. Books show children with different skin tones and in different roles. Dressing up clothes enable children to try on saris, African and other Asian clothes, and to become doctors or builders. Children with disabilities and learning difficulties receive good care to encourage their all round development. The childminder works closely with parents and has made games and resources to help children overcome communication difficulties.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well, encouraged by the childminder's sensitive response when they are upset, her few clear simple rules and the frequent praise she gives children. Children learn the rules from discussion with the childminder and the little pictures she has made, for example to remind children to remove their shoes when playing indoors. Children are often praised for helping, having good ideas and for trying. In addition, the childminder skilfully turns a situation a child may feel hesitant about into a game, for example, she does what children say they can't do, but she does it wrong. This makes children laugh and, in correcting her, they find they can do it themselves. Children are learning good manners and to respect others through gentle reminders about saying please and thank you and encouraging children to give up their seat for an adult on the bus.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's strong sense of security is underpinned by the good relationship the childminder develops with parents. The childminder gives parents a booklet with lots of information about her service for example, regarding meals she offers children, her qualifications, daily routines and the addresses of web sites that show how she supports children's learning and development. She has a policy file that parents are also encouraged to read and she keeps a daily diary sheet which she gives to parents. In future parents will be shown the 'learning journey booklets' she has begun collating on each child so that they are well informed of their child's progress. The childminder ensures she has parents' written consent for all appropriate aspects of the care she provides and that they are clear about how to complain.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are safe, healthy and having fun through the childminder's very well organised care that protects children and provides them with rich learning experiences. Children are well supervised both in the childminder's home and when visiting playgroups and on outings. However, there are minor weaknesses in her understanding of child protection procedures.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children's well being is further safeguarded by the well documented records in place to ensure that the childminder knows children's individual needs.

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Organisation

Children's good care is underpinned by the sound policies the childminder has developed. These include a very positive managing children's behaviour policy, and comprehensive health and safety policies. The childminder's provision for children is continually being enhanced by her commitment to developing her knowledge and skills. The childminder has attended many local authority courses and is currently working towards an NVQ level 3 qualification in child care. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made good progress in improving her provision in regard to one recommendation made at the last inspection. This was to provide a suitable range of toys and activities, in order to meet the developmental needs of children from two to under five years, which should include resources that reflect positive images of diversity. She now has a wide range of resources that help children to value their own cultures and to learn about those of others. The second recommendation made was for the childminder to develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures. The childminder has attended training. Children are safeguarded by her knowledge of the signs of possible abuse and her understanding of who to report any concerns to. However, she is a little insecure in her knowledge of the local guidance flow chart showing how she should continue to follow up any concerns to fully protect

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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 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): • plan art activities so that they enable children to do as much as possible for themselves and so they have plenty of space and resources to maximise their learning concentration and enjoyment • position fire blanket where it can be accessed safely

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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 • become more familiar with the local safe guarding children guidance so that any reported concerns will be followed up effectively to fully protect 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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