Childminder in Enfield

Inspection report for early years provision

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135509 Unique Reference Number 08 February 2008 Inspection date Malini Parmar 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 has been registered since 1995. She is registered to work with her husband also a registered childminder. The childminder works from her home in Winchmore Hill in the London borough of Enfield, close to shops and other amenities. Minded children have access to the ground floor of the premises, which consist of a large playroom, kitchen/dining room, ground floor toilet and large secure rear garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years if working alone, but can when working with a co-minder, care for up to a maximum seven children under the age of eight years. There are currently eight children on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder ensures good attention to children's hygiene, eating and exercise to promote their all round well being. As a result, children develop good habits to promote their health through the routine.

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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 Children consistently handle clean toys, resources and equipment as the childminder has a robust system in place to ensure this. The childminder has solid systems in place to prevent the spread of infections. As a result, children each have their own bedding, hand towels and equipment such as cots. The childminder is currently reviewing these system to ensure good practise is followed at all times. She sets a positive example of good hygiene practise as she frequently washes her own hands during the preparation of meals. Children benefit from the childminder's considerate conversation during nappy changing to promote their emotional health. The childminder takes care to wear disposable gloves and conscientiously cleans the changing mat during these times. Children engage in useful personal care routines, which

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Helping children to be healthy

includes washing hands at appropriate times. The childminder is currently evolving her practise to make sure the routine remains robust. Children are assured of receiving solid care and treatment in they have an accident because the childminder ensures her training in first aid is always up to date. In addition she has sought training in the administration of specialist treatment and is able to renew this if required. Children's welfare is protected by the secure systems in place for the reporting of accidents and administration of medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children help themselves to a drink at all times to ensure they remain hydrated. The childminder has considered the arrangements for this carefully to ensure children are able to identify their drinking cup with ease to prevent cross contamination. Young children are gently prompted to remind them to take a drink to enable them to learn to recognise when they need a drink. Children clearly enjoy the freshly cooked meals prepared using fresh ingredients by the childminder. Meals are nutritionally balanced and children are able to eat in a relaxed environment at their own pace. The childminder devises good menus to reflect healthy options from around the world and taking into account children's individual dietary needs and parental requests. Fruit is offered at every meal as well as at snack times and is popular with the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Good attention is given to children's physical development to make sure they have opportunities to expend their energy appropriately and engage in vigorous play. Children can play in the garden, use bikes, scooters and balancing equipment. Regular walks and trips to the very local park take place and indoors children are offered activities according to their age. Young children enjoy dancing and are learning to gain more control over their movements through the equipment available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in a warm child focussed environment which the childminder and co childminder have created. They independently access a wide range of good toys and resources because these are attractively offered. Space is organised effectively because the childminder has skilfully considered the needs of the children attending. As a result, young children have plenty of space to allow them to build confidence in their movements. Children particularly enjoy using the comfortable book area to relax and have quiet play as they need.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe and secure as the childminder has successfully implemented good safety procedures. Children are supervised at all times. Many positive steps have been taken to reduce any potential dangers which the childminder has identified. As a result, children cannot harm themselves in the hallway as a stair gate prevents unsupervised access. The childminder helps children to learn how to keep themselves safe as she reminds them to use toys safely. Children respond positively as they remember not to open the book flap to closely to their face in case it scratches. Attention to fire safety is given good priority, equipment such as smoke alarms are checked at regular intervals to ensure they work effectively. Children practise regular

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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 evacuation to make sure they successfully learn how to cope in the event of an emergency. In addition the childminder clearly documents the details of the evacuation and makes assessments of these to identify areas of improvement. Children handle safe toys and equipment. As well as daily checks, the childminder uses a systematic approach when checking toys and equipment documenting her assessment to include dates and any risks identified with actions needed. This assessment is currently evolving to ensure it includes all new outdoor equipment which the older children may use. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities in protecting children from harm. She is very clear about the necessary procedure to take if she has concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children have a wonderful time at the setting because the childminder has a clear understanding of their needs and is skilled at meeting them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Exciting and stimulating activities are planned by the childminder who ensures that children experience practical play. Children explore their senses in many different ways. They are thrilled to discover the 'cold ice' has melted and become 'water'. The childminder skilfully models learning as she encourages children to discover what has happened. Children delight as they swirl the water around extending their vocabulary to include words such as 'faster'. Young children particularly enjoy the stimulating items in the treasure basket. They discover different smells, textures and shapes as the childminder carefully frames questions to enhance their experience. Children quickly become fascinated by the sweet smell of the scented soap and compare this to the wax candle. Children are encouraged to talk about what they are doing the childminder uses questions exceptionally to develop their learning and further their enjoyment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Each child is respected and recognised as an individual and they respond to this, developing self-confidence and independence. Children explore different items and activities on offer at their own pace because resources are offered skilfully to encourage them to help themselves. This ensures children build excellent levels of concentration and are able to persevere in their chosen tasks. Children delight as they successfully open 'boxes' to find the hidden treasure. The childminder and her co childminder work together very effectively to ensure they spend their time engaged with the children in their play and care. As a result, children receive high levels of involvement in their play to extend their learning further. The childminder skilfully introduces new concepts to children and makes timely interventions allowing them to explore at their own pace. As a result, children confidently learn the terms 'open and close' whilst

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

exploring the features of a popular book. Children develop excellent bonds with the childminder and eagerly try new activities within a warm secure relationship. Children develop a wide range of self help skills from the excellent opportunities available. Even very young children are beginning to learn to feed themselves under the skilful and sensitive guidance of the childminder. They learn to listen and respond positively to changes in the routine taking pride in their environment as they eagerly help to tidy away their toys. They enthusiastically join in with songs and rhymes and learn to express themselves. They respond very well to the high expectations of the childminder who ensures they have fun in her care.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and confidently express their ideas within a secure relationships. As a result they approach the childminder comfortably for support and express their needs and concerns without hesitation because they are always listened to. Much information is gathered by the childminder who has a very secure knowledge of the individual needs and personalities of the children to guide her care. Effective steps are taken to support the children's knowledge of the wider world. Books, imaginary play and other resources integral to the choices offered prompt children's interest and curiosity of the wider world. The childminder skilfully builds on these to further extend children's knowledge. She plans the menu to ensure it is always reflective of the wider world. As a result, one of the ways children celebrate Chinese New year is by eating a 'stir fry'. Dual language books and a list of pertinent words support the needs of children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

who are bilingual. The childminder encourages the use of many languages and as well as using dictionaries to support the care of children she is working towards building her own.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children generally behave well. The childminder helps children to build their confidence and self esteem as she provides good levels of praise and encouragement. Children respond positively to the high expectations of their behaviour and clear boundaries set. Children are encouraged to be considerate and kind towards one another as they learn to share resources and wait for their turn. The childminder skilfully tackles any unwanted behaviour in a calm and sensitive manner by making sure children make eye contact and listen to her clear explanations of why certain actions may not be acceptable. This helps children begin to learn to manage their own behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's sense of security is promoted well through the good information which is shared between their parents and childminder regarding their routine, and activities. The childminder and her co childminder work well together to ensure effective relationships with parents to ensure a two way exchange of information for the care of children. The very well organised and maintained folder for parents informs them about the childminder's policies, and procedures and sets out clear agreements for the care for their children. As well as daily verbal feedback the parents receive records in the form of a daily dairy detailing how their child spent their time with the childminder. Parents have access to the regulator's details should they wish to raise any concerns and the childminder has a clear procedure to follow in this instance. The childminder is currently developing a more secure awareness of her duty in this area.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

Children are confident and settled in a well organised environment. The childminder works very well with her co childminder to ensure good experiences for the children in her care. Although both share the responsibility for ensuring the necessary documentation is in place. The childminder takes responsibility to share policies and procedures and introduce their care initially to parents. All the required records and majority of the necessary consents are sought to promote the care and welfare of the children. The childminder has overlooked the necessity to ensure clear consent is sought to safeguard children in an emergency should treatment be required. Documentation is stored confidentially and care of the children is enhanced by the clear policies and procedures set out by the childminder for the continuity of children's care. The childminder maintains a professional approach to her co childminder by ensuring her

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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 knowledge and skills are refreshed by attending a variety of courses offered by the Local Authority. She is currently considering obtaining a professional qualification in childcare to further enhance the care of children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was set two recommendations to improve her practise. She agreed to increase resources which present positive images of society and maintain a daily record of attendance.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made good progress in addressing both these areas. Documentation and record keeping have been improved as the children's attendance is marked daily showing the hours of attendance very clearly. Children now have increased chances to use resources which present positive images of society such as puzzles, books and posters.

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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): • continue to enhance the arrangements to prevent the spread of infections by ensuring systems in place are consistently followed to remain robust • make sure all necessary consents are sought to ensure the children's health in an emergency situation.

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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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