Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY270937 Unique Reference Number 07 February 2008 Inspection date Cheryl Langley 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 registered in November 2003. She lives with her husband and three children aged 11, seven and three years in the London Borough of Enfield. The whole of the ground floor and a first floor bedroom and bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding four children at various times. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy as the childminder has good routines and systems in place to keep the environment clean and act in the children's best interests if they require medical attention. For example, the first aid box is kept up to date, parental consent is acquired to administer medication or seek emergency treatment and advice and appropriate health and hygiene guidelines are adhered to. Through the examples set by the childminder children learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care such as washing their hands at appropriate times

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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 stop the spread of infection. Children learn about keeping their bodies healthy through discussion, role play, educational videos and interesting books.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They know which type of food is good to eat. Children have access to drinks throughout the day and eat fresh fruit and vegetables. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and works with them closely. Children have nutritious snacks and meals that appeal to them as well as meeting their dietary needs. An interest and knowledge of food is promoted through role play and discussions at meal times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their health and physical development. They play in the garden and visit local parks regularly to benefit from the fresh air. Children learn to balance and co-ordinate their bodies. They gain confidence to move around the furniture, pulling themselves up and pushing toys along. More able children are adept at negotiating space and using programmable toys. Children use tools, utensils and mark-making equipment. They create collage pictures and drawings to put on display. Children build bricks to make towers, setting them with care, one upon the other.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are beginning to learn to protect themselves, however this is limited. They practise the fire drill and the childminder uses sensitive reminders so that they use furniture and climbing apparatus safely, taking care of others. Children follow codes to cross the road without coming to harm, waiting for the green man.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is a high priority. They are cared for in a home where checks are carried out regularly to minimise any potential risks. As a result, children move around safely, freely and independently to choose their play from an excellent range of stimulating toys and resources. Policies, procedures and relevant documents are in place which support the children's safety such as parental consent to attend outings, risk assessments, an emergency evacuation plan and current public liability cover.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded. The childminder has a good understanding of the signs to look for which may give her cause for concern and the procedures to follow to protect a child who may be at risk. She has a good understanding of child protection issues and has attended training in this area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children use their natural curiosity as learners to explore and investigate the exciting range of toys they choose from freely. They have fun finding the animals in the pop-up toys, listen to sounds and use their imaginations to make containers into hats. They receive a high level of support to engage in their play. The childminder asks them questions to make them think and develop their knowledge and skills. For example, 'shall we use the red bricks' as they build a tower together.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have an understanding of mathematical language, they know the difference between the 'big' and 'small' chair. Their language and communication is developed by listening to stories, sharing books and singing simple rhymes and songs, such as 'Row, row, row, your boat'.

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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 Children begin to solve problems, using trial and error to fit shapes into an inset puzzle. They learn to recognise number symbols on their toys and count as they climb up and down the stairs or sing nursery rhymes. Children balance bricks to form 'tall' towers and knock them 'down'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children become aware of the natural environment. They feed the ducks on the pond and plant sunflowers to see how high they will grow. From a range of educational and stimulating posters they learn about telling the time and the difference between night and day. Children express themselves creatively. They draw musical instruments, trains, animals and make collage pictures to put on display in the childminder's home. Children clap in time to music as they sing. They use their imaginations to act out their experiences. For example, they prepare play food and tea for the childminder and operate cars and a garage. Children are motivated and interested in a broad range of purposeful and developmentally-appropriate indoor and outdoor activities. These provide good levels of challenge appropriate to their age and stage of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder provides a wonderful array of meaningful resources and planned activities to promote a positive view of the wider world. Books, play figures, dolls and activities to celebrate a variety of cultures and religions increases children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. The children enjoy celebrating Chinese New Year and Pancake Day. They made a Chinese dragon and drew pictures of the rat and pancakes with fruit fillings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children receive a high level of support. They are valued and respected. The childminder takes an interest in them, listening, talking and joining in with their play. She uses appropriate strategies to manage behaviour and encourage harmonious relationships. As a result children behave very well. They understand right and wrong and are learning to be polite and considerate to others. The childminder provides a range of opportunities for the children to socialise to develop these skills further. Realistic challenges are set and children are regularly praised for their achievements. This promotes their confidence and self-esteem. They feel relaxed, secure and able to make independent choices and try new experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from a very strong partnership between the childminder and parents. They exchange information regularly. This ensures the children's individual needs are consistently well met. Parents receive excellent information about the provision and the childminder's policies and procedures. Contracts are reviewed regularly and parents are encouraged to give feedback about the care their children receive. Both written and verbal details keep parents well informed of how their child's needs are being met and their developmental progress. Parents have provided positive and complimentary comments. For example, 'children are very happy and settled' and 'the balance of the day is very well structured with lots of variety'.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children's needs are met through effective organisation and very good communication with parents. Space and equipment is prepared so that children can access resources easily. They are continually engaged and stimulated from the excellent range of toys and resources freely available to them. A balance of child-led activities and organised play ensure children have different enjoyable and interesting experiences whilst they are with the childminder. They benefit from routines which make them feel secure and relaxed. Children play, eat, sleep and rest as they need to.

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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 Documentation is stored securely and information shared appropriately with parents. Confidentiality is adhered to, to respect the parents and children. Comprehensive policies and procedures are in place to support the provision, keeping children safe, healthy and safeguarding their welfare. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge and experience which she continues to update with relevant training. She has gained the Extending Childminding Practice Level 3 Certificate and has a current first aid qualification. Overall, the needs of the children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to develop her knowledge and understanding of children with learning and or physical disabilities, and to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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Improvements since the last inspection

An excellent range of resources and planned activities promote the children's knowledge and understanding of wider society. They celebrate various festivals and anniversaries from a wide range of cultures and religions. Children play with toys and share books that depict positive images of gender, different ethnic backgrounds and varying abilities. The childminder has attended training and obtained various resources to support children with learning and or physical disabilities. For example, she has attended training in Makaton Sign Language.

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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): • develop children's awareness of safety issues through planned activities and routines.

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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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