Noel Park Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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102100 Unique Reference Number 12 February 2008 Inspection date Hilary Preece 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 2000. She lives with her husband, her mother and two children aged 12 and 13 years. They live in a basement flat in Kentish Town, in the London Borough of Camden. The childminder uses the whole of the lower ground floor for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The home is close to Kentish Town mainline and tube station, as well as local bus routes. They have parks, a library, indoor play centres and shops close by.

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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 two children under five on a part-time basis and one child over five after school. The childminder walks to local schools and nurseries to take and collect children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children lead healthy and active lifestyles. They have daily opportunities to walk in the fresh air and visit parks and play centres. They use a variety of apparatus in the garden to develop

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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 their physical skills and confidence, including wheeled toys, a swing and large trampoline with safety enclosure. Children are very well nourished. Parents are given a fortnightly menu plan so they can see the range of nutritious meals and snacks on offer, which takes account of children with any particular dietary needs. Children make healthy choices when choosing their favourite fruits from the selection on offer for snack. Drinking water is readily available and children are reminded to drink often so they are well hydrated throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's good health and hygiene is promoted through some effective practices. Children receive appropriate care if they are sick or hurt because the childminder makes sure she always has access to first aid supplies and updates her training in first aid. They are protected from the risk of infections spreading throughout the setting because children with infectious illnesses are excluded until they are better. Children are shown how to blow their noses and clean their hands with wipes that are readily available, which reinforces good hygiene practices. They also learn about good hygiene through meaningful activities such as singing familiar songs that remind them of the importance of washing their hands.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children use a bright and welcoming play area in the home with easy access to the garden that provides versatile play space on grass or on the spacious patio. They therefore have plenty of safe space in which to explore and extend their play. Children use a wide range of suitable toys and resources that are stored well to allow them to make independent choices in their play, both inside and outside. Toys and equipment are well maintained and cleaned regularly so they remain safe to use. Children become aware of how to use equipment safely and take responsibility for their personal safety. For example, they are reminded how to sit carefully at the table and understand the expectations when out and about so they remain safe near the roads.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected by some effective procedures. Regular fire drills are practised, there are clear arrangements for the safe collection of children and consideration is given to keeping children safe in the event of a terror alert or emergency in London. Sensible precautions are taken to minimise any risks to children in the home and garden, although the childminder is not aware that ivy growing in the garden is potentially harmful to children if eaten. Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's generally sound understanding of child protection issues and reporting procedures. The childminder is updating her knowledge by attending a training course in the near future but currently does not have access to the latest publications. This means her policy and procedure has not been reviewed in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines, which compromises its effectiveness.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled because their individual needs are respected throughout the daily routines. They are encouraged to become independent and confident by following their interests and leading their own play and ideas. They are supported very well by the childminder who interacts positively with them to develop children's thinking, language and imagination. For example, children are absorbed in pretend play in which they feed their babies, make cups of tea and tasty stews for the childminder. Children confidently select their play materials and talk about what they are doing. Conversation skills are promoted. They are encouraged to recall

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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 past experiences and enjoy looking at photographs of themselves and their peers on outings. This helps them become skilful communicators.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All areas of children's development are supported by some interesting outings that meet the needs of children of different ages. For example, they visit the library, farm, museums and go swimming. They take part in a range of activities such as painting, sharing stories, dressing-up and making wooden spoon puppets. Children are therefore occupied and engaged in meaningful experiences throughout their time at the setting. Older children enjoy art and craft activities, using the computer and chilling out with a little television after school, with support offered to help with homework if required. Thus, a range of individual needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are respected as individuals and warmly treated as one of the family. They develop a strong sense of belonging through having their own special drawer where they can keep their possessions. They make personal scrap books and albums containing their drawings and photographs of their experiences that they proudly share with others. This helps them feel special and valued. Children develop an awareness of the needs of others through using resources and taking part in activities. For example, they look at books that show disabled children and help them understand emotions, such as anxiety about going to the dentist; they do craft activities to celebrate festivals such as Diwali and Chinese New Year. Children therefore learn to value differences and diversity. Children learn to respect others and behave responsibly because there are clear expectations for their behaviour. House rules are revisited regularly to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

remind children how to behave and appropriate strategies are used to promote positive behaviour. Children are praised for tidying up, for example, or given reward stickers that help develop their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the strong partnership with parents. This is evident by some highly complimentary references and feedback from parents. Effective arrangements ensure all aspects of children's care are shared with parents and carers and their wishes respected. For example, ongoing discussion takes place about issues such as managing behaviour and toilet training so the childminder can provide care consistent to that provided by parents. This contributes to children feeling secure in the setting. All the necessary records are maintained and shared with parents and the childminder demonstrates how she would successfully meet the needs of children who may have learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder understands her responsibility for supervising children and in ensuring that adults on the premises are vetted. She keeps accurate records of children's attendance that shows she maintains the required adult-to-child ratio as set out on her certificate of registration. Children benefit from the childminder's well-organised planning of routines. Time, space and resources are used effectively to provide children with positive experiences and to meet their needs effectively.

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Organisation

Most records, policies and procedures are appropriate and presented in a generally well-organised portfolio and filing system, which shows regard for confidentiality. Records are agreed and shared with parents and meet the required regulations. The childminder ensures that training

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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 requirements are met and shows a high regard for the children in her care. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was unable to provide evidence of children's record of attendance. This has since improved as the childminder keeps a register of children's attendance that shows their precise time of arrival and departure each day, which is accurate and up-to-date.

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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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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): • make poisonous plants in the garden safe or inaccessible to children • review the safeguarding children policy to reflect the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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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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