Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY101461 Unique Reference Number 12 March 2008 Inspection date Asia Islam 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 2002. She lives with her husband and their three children in the London Borough of Enfield. The ground floor areas of the premises, the first floor master bedroom and a bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years. There are three children under five years on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder regularly takes the children out to visit the local facilities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to wash hands at the appropriate times, this helps to reduce cross infection. A poster depicting hand washing is also displayed to extend children's understanding about hygiene practice. The premises is maintained to an excellent standard of hygiene. Effective

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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 systems are in place to support children's emergency health care, for example, the childminder holds a valid first aid certificate. Records of any accidents and medicines administered are maintained with the necessary details.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's parents provide packed lunches and the childminder serves the meals as agreed with the parents. Fruit is offered to children during snack time, this supports their healthy eating habits. Drinking water is provided to children during the session but it is not always easily accessible to support their independence.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical development is promoted through regular outings to local facilities and daily access to the garden. A selection of outdoor resources is available in the garden, these include balls, bats, bicycles and a slide for children's energetic play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play comfortably in a spacious and well maintained environment. The extended play area has displays of children's artwork and child orientated posters, this makes the area very bright and welcoming. The necessary safety and security measures are in place to reduce risks within the premises, both inside and outside. For example, hazardous areas are made out of bounds to children, with safety gates. Fire evacuation is regularly practised with the children to support their understanding of fire safety. Their collection arrangements are agreed with the parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a wide range of toys and equipment that are suitable for different ages and stages of development. These are in good and safe condition for children's play. The childminder regularly checks and cleans the toys and equipment to ensure children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a secure understanding of the procedures to follow for any child protection concerns. She is also aware of the importance of keeping records with the necessary details.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and happy in the care of the childminder. They interact very confidently with each other and the adults. Both the childminder and her assistant offer children support in problem solving and learning letters and numbers. Children show interest and they engage with the available play resources. They are encouraged to choose books, puzzles and paints during these activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Although children benefit from a balanced range of activities and resources provided over the week, they generally have access to one activity at a time, this means they do not always have a wide range from which to choose and initiate their own play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is aware of the Birth to three matters framework and the Foundation Stage for supporting children's development and learning. She uses these very loosely to guide the planning of activities for children.

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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's understanding of differences is supported as they have access to a range of resources that includes positive images of gender, culture and disability. The childminder also celebrates community festivals such as Eid with the children to support their awareness of the wider community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have equal access to the play resources and they are treated with equal concern by the childminder. Although the childminder lacks experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities, she shows a commitment to adapt activities when necessary to meet individual's needs. She also welcomes children from all backgrounds and abilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved most of the time. Occasionally they become excited and the childminder offers them guidance to calm down. She also offers them praise for their good behaviour to help them understand right from wrong. Children positively respond to the childminder's guidance and play well together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from consistent care as the childminder regularly exchanges information about their progress and events with parents. Most of the setting's policies and procedures are displayed for parents to ensure they are well informed about the childminder's business. For example, about equal opportunities and children's daily routines. The childminder has a written complaints procedure in place to share with parents but she has not developed a logging system for this purpose.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children's care, play and learning needs are well promoted because the childminder has a secure understanding of most areas of children's developmental needs. The practice of allowing children to initiate their own play is not always effectively encouraged. The childminder has undergone the necessary vetting procedures for working with children and she has ensured that her assistant is also suitable.

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Organisation

Children benefit from a well organised environment, which ensures children's safety and comfort. The childminder offers children a balanced range of activities over the week to support children's play and learning. She ensures the resources and activities provided are of interest and support children's play and learning. The required records for children are in place with the necessary details, these help to promote their welfare and interest.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to make the premises safe and to provide appropriate equipment and play resources to meet the changing developmental needs of children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The necessary precautions are now in place to ensure children's safety. A wide range of toys and equipment are available to meet children's changing developmental needs.

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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

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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): • ensure drinking water is easily accessible to children • effectively organise resources and activities to help children initiate their own play

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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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