Childminder in Camden

Inspection report for early years provision

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160308 Unique Reference Number 11 February 2008 Inspection date Siobhan O'Callaghan 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 2001. She lives with her husband and their two children aged nine and five years. The family live in Camden, London. They live in a flat on the fifth floor of a block of flats. All areas of the property are utilised for childminding purposes. There is a secure forecourt area which is available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children under eight years at any one time. She is currently caring for one child under five all day, three days a week. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local toddler groups and childminding support groups. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties/disabilities. 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 learn about the importance of healthy living as they experience fresh air and exercise on a daily basis. They visit the local library and many play groups within the community where they have good opportunities to access a variety of challenging resources. Children are able to climb, crawl and ride wheeled resources which helps to develop their physical skills and coordination. Younger children also go to school twice a day to take and collect the childminder's children from school. At home children enjoy wheeling their dolls in small buggies and riding small cars, which promotes their development of spatial awareness. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs as home routines are followed to ensure continuity of care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have their health and dietary needs met as the childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure that she can meet their individual needs. Children are well nourished as they eat healthy foods provided jointly by their parents and the childminder. They enjoy eating chopped banana and strawberries for their morning snack. Young children sit comfortably on the sofa with the childminder when they drink their bottles of milk. Children are offered regular drinks throughout the day, however, they do not have independent access to water to support their self-care skills and to ensure that they remain hydrated at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning to understand good health and hygiene practices as they are encouraged and supported to wash their hands at appropriate times, such as before eating their snacks. They observe the childminder's good practices as she wears gloves to change their nappies and washes her hands afterwards. Children are protected from infection and are taken care of if they have an accident or become ill as the childminder follows current and appropriate environmental health and hygiene procedures. She maintains a current first aid qualification to support her in dealing with any accidents that may occur to children whilst in their care. Children are further protected against illness as a positive sickness policy ensures that children do not attend when they are contagious or unwell thus minimising the spread of infection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe environment, the home is risk assessed on a daily basis to ensure that all areas are safe for children to play, eat and rest in comfort. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of keeping children safe as she supervises them well and teaches them how to keep themselves safe. For example, young children are shown how to sit on small chairs safely as they attempt to stand and kneel on them. Constant communication with children helps them to understand important safety measures such as ensuring that they are strapped securely within their buggy when they go outside, and for older children how to cross roads safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use a broad range of safe and suitable equipment and resources. These are clean and in good repair. The childminder checks these regularly to ensure that they are appropriate for the ages of children attending and thus offering them challenges and stimulation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a sound understanding of her role in child protection. Her awareness of necessary processes and procedures supports her in dealing with any arising concerns. Children are cared for by a childminder who is aware of her duty to

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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 ensure that all adults who have contact with children are appropriately vetted. Where this is not possible they are closely supervised at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled within their environment. They confidently access resources that are available at their level. They enjoy the childminder's interaction as they play with puzzles and draw pictures with her. Children enjoy sharing books with the childminder who encourages them to talk about the story and the pictures they can see. Children are confident to request support and interaction as they get the childminder involved in their play. The childminder sits at their level and encourages their learning through play as she supports them to count to 10. Children are supported to be independent as they access a variety of self-chosen activities. The childminder is close at hand to offer support and guidance where this is necessary. Young children play imaginatively with dolls as they attempt to feed them raisins and give them cuddles.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing a positive self-esteem as they receive lots of praise from the childminder. They are praised for listening well and for helping to tidy away toys. Children's self-initiated play is valued and supported appropriately thus enabling them to feel secure and confident within their environment. They are involved in a broad range of planned activities and spontaneous events, which support their development and learning. Children attend regular play groups where they are able to socialise and integrate with children of a similar age. Weekly visits to the local library encompass 'rhyme time' sessions alongside the opportunities to read and share books together.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are learning good codes of behaviour as they are supported to distinguish between right and wrong. The childminder presents a consistent and positive role model to children, thus enabling them to be clear about their boundaries and behaviour that is acceptable. The focus is on praise which has a positive impact on children's behaviour which overall is very good. Children have established secure and warm relationships with the childminder they are happy within her care and respond to her interaction positively. Children are busy and engaged at all times as the childminder spends all her time playing and communicating with them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for by a childminder who values working in partnership with parents. She has established good communication links with parents to ensure that children's individual needs are fully met and monitored. Letters of thanks from parents demonstrate their satisfaction with the quality of care their children have received. Children benefit from a positive settling-in process which helps to smooth the transition from home to the childminder's house. Each child's and parents needs are valued so arrangements for settling-in are flexible depending on individual requirements. Parents are reassured throughout this process through text messages sent during the day or via feedback at collection time. Children's daily experiences are captured on camera and later made into albums which are shared with their parents. Children enjoy looking at past photographs of themselves, for example, when they played in the sand pit and read stories at

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the library. They are delighted to observe old friends and fondly kiss the photographs of them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

It is evident that Children feel a sense of belonging as they are secure within their environment and within the care of the childminder. They are confident to make their wishes known as they

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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 request alternative resources that are out of their reach. Children are developing a positive self-esteem and respect for others as they access resources that help them value diversity. They also attend a variety of mixed cultural play groups where they can interact with children from their own cultures and those from a variety of different cultural backgrounds. Children learn to understand responsible behaviour as the childminder demonstrates how they can help to keep the toys tidy and then choose other resources to explore. Positive behaviour management strategies support children to work cooperatively.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children receive good care from a childminder who has a high regard for their well-being. She organises the space available within her home well. She ensures children have opportunities to play freely and eat and sleep comfortably as appropriate equipment to support their needs is in place. Children further benefit from positive routines which enable them to have a variety of social experiences each day as they visit play groups, the library and parks on different days of the week. They have good opportunities to rest as the afternoons are generally spent at home where they can rest or sleep as necessary. Thus positive routines contribute to children's ability to have good health and to experience many opportunities that support them to develop and progress.

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Organisation

The childminder maintains appropriate documentation, policies and procedures to support her childminding business. She gives due regard to children's safety as she ensures appropriate supervision of children, especially when attending groups where she can not guarantee that all adults are vetted. She has a sound knowledge and understanding of the National Standards and is committed to improving her practice through attending regular training opportunities. The childminder is on board with the new 'Early Years Foundation Stage' as she has attended training within this area. However, she is yet to develop ways to reflect on her good practice through monitoring and evaluating the care she provides for children.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to continue developing her knowledge and understanding of the National Standards to prepare her for childminding. She has made good progress in developing her childminding practices. She has attended a variety of training courses that positively support her in developing the services she offers to both children and their parents, whilst also extending her knowledge and understanding of many aspects of the National Standards.

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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.

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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): • ensure fresh drinking water is available to children at all times • further develop good practice through the monitoring and evaluation of the care you provide for 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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