Early Years Assessment Service and Centre Co Manford Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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133216 Unique Reference Number 10 March 2008 Inspection date Liz Corr 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 and two school-age daughters. They live in a three bedroom maisonette in a converted house in the N5 area of the London borough of Islington. Children have access to the living room, bedroom and kitchen on the ground floor and bathroom facilities on the lower ground floor. A garden is available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently providing care for three children under five years. She holds a level 3 NVQ qualification in childcare and is a member of the National Childminding Association and her local childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from the positive measures in place to ensure their physical, nutritional and health needs are promoted. The home is clean, bright and well maintained. Children are

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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 encouraged to wash their hands regularly throughout the day and the childminder uses individual hand towels to prevent the risk of cross infection. However, systems to ensure that older children have individual bed linen are not fully developed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is protected by a clear sickness procedure which is both discussed and available in writing for parents. Children are kept at home when they are ill. The childminder has completed a suitable course in first aid and emergency care for children. Consequently, they are well cared for if they become unwell or have an accident at the setting. Their health is promoted as the childminder has devised good systems for recording accidents that have taken place both in the childminders and parents' care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are well recorded. Freshly cooked meals, healthy snacks and regular drinks are provided throughout the day. Children enjoy regular opportunities for energetic play, fresh air and exercise during trips to local parks and drop-in groups. They enjoy singing action rhymes where they move and use their whole body. Their need for appropriate rest and sleep is built into the daily routine. This helps to promote a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a welcoming and comfortable environment. They are generally kept safe and secure because the childminder has a proactive attitude to risk assessment in order to minimise hazards. She has a daily check list for promoting safety in the home. However, some areas have not been fully risk assessed. For example, the stair case to the lower floor and storage of an electrical item in the living room are not fully secure. Children benefit from suitable furniture which help them to eat and sleep in comfort. However, there are occasions when children are seated in adult chairs at snack time, this do not promote their safety or comfort. Most toys and equipment are stored in suitable containers and sorted into type, with the exception of one selection of play equipment which is stored in a plastic carrier bag and compromises children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s safety is promoted by the use of appropriate fire equipment such as, a fire blanket and smoke detectors which are regularly checked to ensure they are in good working order. An emergency evacuation procedure has been devised and is practised regularly with the children to increase their awareness of how to keep themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted because the childminder has a very good understanding of the signs and signals of abuse. She has effective policies in place for reporting concerns about a child or, if an allegation is made against her or her family.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled because the childminder knows them well. Warm and caring relationships between the childminder and children are evident. This helps them feel settled and to enjoy and achieve. A well established routine provides children with a wide range of experiences outside the home as they attend a variety of organised local drop-in groups. The childminder plans activities using monthly themes this includes, activities to develop children's understanding of numbers, shapes and letters. They celebrate special days and festivals including, Saint Patrick's Day, Chinese New Year and Mother's Day. Children access a range of toys and equipment in the childminder's home including a selection of natural materials to help develop

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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 their curiosity and stimulate their senses. However, the supply of equipment available has not been organised to provide children with an effective range of choices.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy creative activities in the home. One child enjoys sitting with the childminder and making a collage from coloured circles. The child is supported as they try to stick the paper with glue and is praised for their achievements. The childminder talks about colour and shapes throughout the activity. Their understanding of shape is further promoted as childminder sings the song, the wheels on the bus and explains that the wheels are the same shape as the circles on the collage. Children enjoy sitting closely with the childminder as she reads them the story of the hungry caterpillar which is part of their monthly theme. The childminder has introduced a system for recording their progress and includes photographs and examples of their creative activities which are shared with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children access play equipment and activities which help promote a positive image of themselves and the wider world. Children who speak English as an additional language are supported as parents are asked to provide key words in their home language. The childminder promotes an inclusive environment as she provides additional resources such as, dual language books to share with all the children. The childminder is aware of children's individual needs as she collects useful information about them at the beginning of the placement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are happy and content, relating well to the childminder. She manages their behaviour according to their understanding and stage of development. For example, through distraction, discussion and rewards. Parents are fully involved informed if there are any behavioural concerns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are provided with clear information about the service at the beginning of the childminding contract. The childminder provides verbal feedback and a daily diary for babies detailing their progress. The childminder has began to keep records of children's progress which are shared with parents. A clear complaints procedure is in place for parents including, details of the regulator if they are unhappy with the outcome. This has a positive impact on the children’s overall well-being and development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has an effective understanding of the National Standards for childminding. She organises her time well so children have a varied experience of home based and group activities. This helps to promote their social skills and overall development. She has provided a generally safe environment for children particularly with regard to fire safety and child protection awareness. However, some areas for improvement have been identified. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards making the necessary improvements.

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Organisation

The childminder has developed strong support systems including, her local Early Years department and her childminding network. She has continued to update her knowledge through further training. Consequently, she is well informed of new developments in childminding.

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Organisation

Documentation relating to childminding is mostly well maintained. A range of effective policies and procedures are in place to support her work as a childminder. She has began to record children's progress using photographs and examples of their art work and these are shared

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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 with parents. Permissions from parents are recorded for photographs, emergency medical advice or treatment and outings. These are kept on file for each child. However, these were not available for one child.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted have received one complaint. This was in relation to National Standard 1: Suitable Person, National Standard 3: Care Learning and Play, National Standard 11: Behaviour, National Standard 12: Working in Partnership with Parents, National Standard 13: Child Protection and National Standard 14: Documentation. Concerns were raised regarding behaviour management and supervision of minded children. Ofsted carried out an investigation and an unannounced visit was made to the provider. Evidence was found that National Standard 12, National Standard 13 and National Standard 14 had been breached. As a result of the visit a new condition was imposed, restricting the childminder from leaving minded children with an assistant without prior permission from parents, in future. Ofsted was satisfied that the provider remains qualified for registration.

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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): • improve safety by preventing access to the ground floor stairs, electrical equipment in the living room and plastic bags. Ensure that children sit comfortably in suitable furniture at meal times

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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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