Pheasey Park Farm Primary School and Early Years Centre

Inspection report for early years provision

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147480 Unique Reference Number 24 January 2008 Inspection date Bharti Vakil 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 1992. She lives with her husband, two adult children and one school age child in Colindale the London borough of Barnet. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five and one child over five.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Barnet child minding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they are learning the importance of good hygiene and personal care. For example, the childminder encourages and assists the children

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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 to wash hands before handling food and after meal times and provides the children with their own flannels and towels as a means of promoting thorough hygiene practices.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's welfare needs are well met as the childminder has comprehensive policies and procedures in place to support them. For example, children do not attend if they are unwell with infectious illnesses and the childminder is clear which notifiable illnesses must be reported. Clear procedures are in place to maintain accident and medication records along with the appropriate levels of parental consent. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate. This ensures children receive appropriate care if there is an accident or if medication has to be administered.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities to enjoy lots of fresh air and exercise which contribute to their good health. They are developing competent physical skills and abilities. For instance, the children have daily opportunities to play outside in the back garden with a selection of equipment such as tents, balls, push and pull along toys. They enjoy regular outings to parks and local child friendly settings where a wider range of physical activities such as climbing, balancing and crawling are available.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of snacks and hot meals. For example, chilli con-carne with naan bread, scrambled eggs with wholemeal toast and fish fingers with oven chips. Overall, the meals and snacks offered to the children are healthy and children are given some choice in what they would like to eat at snack time, for instance, fresh fruits. However, children have limited opportunities to enjoy fresh vegetables. Special dietary requirements are taken into account to ensure children remain healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from the childminder's clean, comfortable, well maintained home. They happily use the space indoors as well as the play house in the garden. Risks of harm to children are at a minimum, as the childminder is extremely vigilant and uses thorough and very effective risk assessments. Children are learning to take responsibility for their own safety, for example, the childminder discusses road safety with them and regularly practises fire drills. Safe practice is promoted particularly well with toddlers. They are becoming increasingly aware of their boundaries due to the very clear explanations offered by the childminder. This clearly helps them to learn about what is or is not acceptable in order to remain safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to play and sleep in comfort using furniture appropriate for their age, for example, a travel cot, high chair, booster seats, buggies, car seats and safety gates. They benefit from the comprehensive range of developmentally suitable toys and resources. Children are able to help themselves to the resources as they are set out attractively in low level storage. Children are kept safe as the childminder regularly cleans and checks the toys for safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's well-being is safeguarded as the childminder has a thorough knowledge and understanding of child protection matters. She is aware of the signs and symptoms a child may exhibit that could indicate they had been harmed, and the procedure to follow to report such concerns. The childminder has undertaken training in safeguarding children to ensure she is clear of her roles and responsibilities.

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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 outstanding. Children are making excellent progress in all areas of their development, as the childminder has an excellent understanding of how children learn and develop through play and having fun. The childminder has successfully implemented early years guidance, such as the Birth to three matters framework, into planning of the routines and activities. When requested she provides parents with written progress reports clearly outlining how she intends to support children in their development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have enormous fun and they play enthusiastically with a comprehensive range of toys and resources, which promotes their learning. They enjoy a very warm and secure relationship with the childminder, which enables them to extend their learning in an extremely supportive and caring environment. Children sustain a high level of involvement in activities as they make their own choices and decisions about what they want to play with. Children are exploring and investigating play resources with excitement. For example, they are absolutely thrilled as they work out how to make an electronic emergency car go round in a circle. They clap their hands and enthusiastically draw the childminder's attention to their accomplishment. She praises their efforts and achievement and expertly uses this opportunity to extend children's learning. This encourages children to find other emergency vehicles and look at their similarities and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's care needs are very well met. For example, the routine is flexible to meet their individual needs for rest and play. This enables them to feel safe and secure and enjoy their play activities. Children spontaneously sing 'Peter Patter Rain Drops' as they put their boots on for garden play and dance to musical toys and giggle as the childminder joins in their fun. They have many exciting opportunities to develop their creativity as they paint and stick with a wide variety of materials. Children have a sense of pride as some of their work is displayed and they also take their work home to show parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are regular opportunities to enjoy outings to child friendly settings such as the library, family centre, toddler groups, local parks and the Royal Air Force Museum. This provides the children with wonderful opportunities to explore a wider selection of activities, enjoy relationships with other children and gain understanding of their environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are well settled and very comfortable in the care of the childminder. She recognises the importance of working in partnership with parents and carers to benefit the children. There are excellent systems in place to share information with parents. The childminder has an extensive selection of policies and procedures that are shared with parents and are well implemented by her to ensure children's health, safety and well-being are well promoted.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are provided with a range of meaningful resources that reflect positive images of diversity such as puzzles, books, dolls and play people. These resources are well used by the children and childminder who talks to children about differences. The books are well used by the childminder in supporting the children's emotional needs, as she uses them to talk about different feelings and how these can be expressed. Children's individual needs are well met by the childminder; she is aware of their developmental needs and provides activities and resources to further their development.

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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 Children are learning to take turns and share, the childminder provides consistent boundaries and offers lots of praise and encouragement. Children enjoy close relationships with the childminder and they learn to be respectful, caring and considerate. For example, children are encouraged to say please and thank-you to adults and each other. The children are also gentle and kind to one another. Children benefit from being with familiar and trusted adults within a family environment. The excellent levels of positive interaction and stimulating activities mean children are highly motivated, very interested and have little opportunity to become bored or uninterested in the surroundings.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare, care and development needs are met effectively as the childminder has considerable knowledge and understanding of caring for young children. She is keen to review her menus to provide a wider selection of fresh vegetables to children. The childminder is well organised, warm and affectionate towards the children who are relaxed and very happy in her care. She is committed to providing outings for the children which are fun, interesting and promote their well-being and physical health.

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Organisation

Children observe very good relationships between their parents and the childminder. As a result, children feel very safe and secure. All the legally required records are maintained, in addition many more are available to support the needs of the children and improve working relationships with parents and carers. The childminder ensures that she carries out parents' wishes while providing excellent care of their children.

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Organisation

Children benefit from a motivated and skilled childminder. She is keen to constantly develop her knowledge and skills to benefit the children by accessing training courses offered. She regularly attends forums to ensure she is kept fully informed.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to: obtain the appropriate written parental consent for all children when they first start, and develop knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's welfare is protected because the childminder obtains parental consent to seek medical treatment or advice in an emergency; and to take children on outings. The childminder has gained thorough knowledge and understanding of her role and responsibility in child protection and has written information to support this. This safeguards children's welfare.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted received one complaint relating to National Standard 1: Suitable Person, Standard 2: Organisation, Standard 4: Safety, Standard 8: Food and drink and Standard 12: Partnership with parents.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted visited the childminder to investigate and as a result of concerns raised during this visit, actions were set under National Standard 6 to carry out a risk assessment of the premises and implement the findings and National Standard 12 to make comprehensive records of any

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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 concerns parents express and how these are responded to. Following a satisfactory response from the childminder no further action was taken.

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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): • provide a wider selection of fresh vegetables to 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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