Foxhole Learning Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

140332 Unique Reference Number 08 February 2008 Inspection date Gulnaz Hassan Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1996. She lives with her husband in a two bedroom house in Tottenham in the London borough of Haringey. The whole of the ground floor, including a purpose built conservatory for children's sole use, is available for childminding purposes. Children have access to a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a total of three children under eight years. There are currently three children under five years on roll including one child cared for on a part time basis. The childminder is also registered to co-mind with another childminder, this enables her to care for a maximum of six children under eight years. The childminder visits local drop- in groups with minded children.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a bright, warm and well ventilated home. Their health is ensured because both the premises and equipment are exceptionally clean and good standards of hygiene are promoted. Children are learning about appropriate personal hygiene and they enjoy using the foaming soap dispenser in the bathroom to wash their hands. The use of paper towels

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 further reduces the risk of infection between children. Children also take responsibility for their own health and cleanliness, for instance, children help themselves to tissues to wipe their noses. The childminder does not hold an up to date first aid certificate. This is a breach of regulation. As the childminder demonstrated that she remains knowledgeable and informed about first aid procedures Ofsted will not take action on this occasion.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with lunches prepared by their parents so that their preferences and requirements are suitably met. The childminder ensures that children enjoy a range of interesting and healthy snacks. Children visit the grocer with the childminder to choose a variety of bread and exotic fruit. For instance children have snacks of 'Naan Bread and 'Chorek' and have tasted avocado, mangoes, ugli fruit and pomegranates in recent days.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy an interesting and well considered range of activities that help to develop their physical skills and that enable them to enjoy the outdoors. For instance children play in the garden with a good assortment of apparatus and outdoor play equipment including balls, hoops and Frisbees, whilst indoors children dance to music. Children also enjoy traditional games, such as 'rounder's' and they regularly visit the park for further recreation.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are very well cared for in an environment that is welcoming and has been very carefully set up and adapted to meet the needs of the children being cared for. Children are able to gain access to a good range of resources and activities that promote learning, discovery, imagination and creativity. Resources are of excellent quality and meet the play and learning needs of children well.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are looked after in a very safe environment where informal risk assessments have ensured that accidents to children are rare. The childminder is vigilant about children's safety and a lost children procedure is in place to ensure that appropriate and prompt actions are taken. Safety outdoors is also ensured, for instance, the childminder discusses road safety and hand holding with the children when they go out. The childminder practices emergency evacuations with children on a monthly basis to ensure that children are familiar with the process and do not experience undue alarm.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare and safety from harm is assured. The childminder's knowledge of child protection is good and she is committed to protecting the children in her care. The childminder is aware of her responsibilities and shares this information with parents. The procedures and documentation in place comply with the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCPB)

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, confident and very well settled. The childminder and the children engage and interact well with each other. The children enjoy each other's company and play well together. Children enjoy a range of considered activities that are stimulating, interesting and meet their individual needs.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy pretend play in the mini kitchen, they pretend to cook and wash up dishes and load the shopping trolley with pretend food. Children participate in a variety of creative activities, such as painting, collage, making play dough and cutting and sticking. Children enjoy frequent

p.3

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 cooking sessions which start with shopping for the ingredients before making such dishes as soda bread, vegetable soups and cakes. The childminder develops children's interests well, for instance when a child informed the childminder that he visited a marine and fish centre, she obtained books on boats and fish for children to look at and the children made a collage of multi-coloured fish. Children enjoy sand and water play and in the summer they plant tomatoes in 'grow bags' which they water and look after until they can pick and eat.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's language and communication skills are developing well although the planning of activities does not include examples of vocabulary or pertinent open ended questions to extend children's language and learning even further. Children enjoy reading and looking at books, children know their favourite stories, such as 'Tim Kipper' the story about a man with a chimney on his head, very well and they can retell the story. Children are learning about environmental issues, for instance children enjoy recycling paper, cans and other materials. Children spend time watching the workmen on the street operating the mechanical diggers and when they go out the workmen explain to the children the purpose of the machines they are using.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children go out frequently, for instance they visit the library to choose books which they take home to read with their parents. They also visit children's activity centres such as clown town, local children's drop in centres and the park.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are looked after in a supportive and nurturing environment where they feel happy and confident in the care of the childminder. Children are valued as individuals and respected for their different needs by the childminder who has a good understanding of the children she looks after. Children's knowledge and appreciation of society and the world about them is developing well as the childminder promotes and appreciates diversity. The multi-cultural community is reflected well in the childminder's provision, for instance, in her resources, books and during discussion with the children. Children are developing a good understanding of the wider community for instance they are able to 'sign' and they watch a programme called 'Something Special' which promotes a keen understanding and respect for diversity and disability. Children learn songs in French and Spanish and read dual language books in Somalian and

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Bengali, such as 'Furaha means happy' and 'Bini in trouble'

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well. Occasional tussles between children in regard to wanting the same toy at the same time are often resolved amicably between the children. For instance when both children attend to grab the same toy the child who has managed to grasp the toy first kindly gives it to the other child. The childminder manages behaviour through methods of distraction and praise to promote positive behaviour.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

There are good relationships with parents and carers. There are very good levels of communication on a daily basis and the childminder ensures that parents are well informed about their children's daily activities, their progress and development. A range of policies and procedures are shared with parents. A detailed complaints procedure which reflects the changes to the regulation is available to parents.

p.4

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is well organised in all aspects of her care of children and she meets the needs of individual children well. The childminder has a good understanding of the National Standards and the regulations, for instance about notifying Ofsted of significant changes and incidents, so that children are safe, secure and well cared for. However, the childminder has not updated her first aid training and although the childminder is secure in her knowledge this remains a breach of regulation.

p.5

Organisation

All the significant records and documents required, such as the attendance record and children's records, are accurately maintained, detailed and stored safely in a confidential manner. The childminder is aware of the requirement to keep records for a minimum of two years. The childminder has a range of policies and procedures available that enhance the wellbeing and welfare of the children she looks after. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to devise an emergency evacuation plan, to develop information to parents about her service and to provide a complaints procedure.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has an evacuation and complaints procedure in place. The childminder also has a range of policies and procedures to share with parents about her setting.

p.5

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.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to have procedures for dealing with concerns and complaints from parents and to keep a record of complaints and their outcome.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children.

p.5

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 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

p.5

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

p.6