Childminder in Camden

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

160297 Unique Reference Number 10 March 2008 Inspection date Audrey Opal Ufot 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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in August 2001. She lives with her adult child and two children ages 14 years and 10 years in Kentish Town in the London borough of Camden. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children under eight at any one time and is currently minding three children part-time. There were no children present at the inspection. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler groups.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming child-focused environment where there are good procedures to keep children healthy. The childminder demonstrates an understanding of how children's health is promoted. For example, she has systems in place to gather information from parents regarding dietary requirements and allergies. The childminder describes how children would learn about their personal hygiene through their normal daily routines. For example, she ensures children wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet and when they come in from outside play.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from cross infection and appropriate procedures are in place if a child became unwell. The childminder demonstrated that in the event of an accident children receive appropriate first aid because she has kept up-to-date with first aid training. She also has a first aid box in place which is suitably stocked. There are methods in place to record medication, accidents, incidents and injuries.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

From discussion, the childminder demonstrates sound understanding of healthy eating, including the need to have drinking water accessible at all times. The childminder talks about varied activities to promote children's good physical health. This includes regular visits to the local park. The childminder is aware that good physical play encourages children to develop physical co-ordination and confidence. Planned routine visits to local drop-in groups, ensures children can socialise and extend their physical skills.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrated through discussion that she ensures all required safety equipment is in place and in good working order; this ensures that children are safe and secure and are able to move around freely and independently. The childminder showed that she has a variety of toys, play materials and equipment that is safe and appropriate for children's ages and stages of development.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates that she takes good practical precautions and sets realistic safety boundaries with children. She carries out regular safety checks in her home in order to minimise hazards. There is public liability insurance in place and parents’ written consent is obtained so that children can go on outings. An emergency evacuation plan is devised. However, this is not practised with the children and the fire blanket is not positioned appropriately in the kitchen. As a result, children’s safety is comprised in the event of a fire. The childminder transports children to and from school in her motor vehicle and the required insurance documents are in place.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm and their welfare is sufficiently promoted because the childminder demonstrated that she has a sound understanding of her role in child protection. She is able to put appropriate procedures into practice if concerned about a child's welfare.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Through discussion the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how children learn and develop. She states that at times, she plans activities for the children to undertake that they will enjoy. At other times the play is spontaneous with the children deciding what they would like to play with. She describes a consistent routine that children are familiar with, which means that they feel confident in their environment.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder talks about encouraging children's development through choosing from a range of toys, books and activities. She understands the need to ensure toys and resources are rotated to maintain the children's interest and enhance their curiosity for learning. She knows how to develop children's interest in the outdoor environment and the importance of providing children with regular opportunities to socialise.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder showed a sound knowledge of behaviour management, giving good examples of how she would approach a variety of situations for children of different ages.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder talks about how children learn about the world around them through the local community for example, by providing outings to local play groups, parks and the library. However, toy resources do not reflect images of disability. There are however, a good selection of books, dressing-up clothes and puzzles offering positive images of differing cultures. Through discussion the childminder reports that parents value the care their children receive. The childminder makes herself available to talk with parents in the mornings.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. There were no children present during the inspection. Through discussion, the childminder has shown that she remains suitably qualified to work as a childminder. This caring child-focused environment will encourage children to feel at home and at ease. The parents' views will be valued and the childminder shares with parents children’s daily achievements.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder's home is arranged appropriately allowing children sufficient space for play. The childminder states that she plans her day around the children's needs, allowing time for play, sleep, meal times; and taking and collecting children to and from school. All of the required documents are in place and contribute to children's well-being. Overall, children's health and safety is satisfactorily met, although procedures are not securely in place in the event of a fire.

p.4

Organisation

Overall, evidence suggests that the provision would meet the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection four recommendations were made: Three of the recommendations have been addressed and one is partly met as follows:

p.4

Improvements 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 The childminder was required to develop knowledge and understanding of behaviour management issues. The childminder has now updated her knowledge regarding behaviour management issues. She gave good examples of positive behaviour management that she uses. For example, she distracts children to other activities to prevent incidents happening. To ensure children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote positive images of different cultures and disability. There is now a good selection of toys and play materials that offer positive images of different cultures.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

To ensure that children's daily record of attendance is kept at all times. The childminder now keeps accurate records of children's daily attendance. To ensure toys are appropriately organised so that children can freely access a wide range to support their play. The childminder has re-organised the ground floor of her home so that children can now choose from a broad range of age appropriate toys and play materials. This has enhanced the children's play activities. As a result, of the above mentioned improvements children’s safety, play opportunities and welfare is promoted and safeguarded. However, there were no toy resources which reflect images of disability.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required Ofsted or the provider to take action.

p.5

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.

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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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): • ensure fire blanket is re-positioned in the kitchen • ensure emergency evacuation procedures is practised with children • ensure toy resources include and reflect positive images of disability.

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