Lift Greensward

Inspection report for early years provision

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135652 Unique Reference Number 14 March 2008 Inspection date Jane Davenport 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 satisfactory. 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 1992. She minds from her daughter's house, which is situated in the Bush Hill Park area of the London borough of Enfield. Household members at the premises are her daughter, her daughter's partner and her two grandchildren, who are 10 and four years old. The whole of the ground floor of the premises and the back bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder's daughter works with her as a joint childminder.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for six children under eight years, and is currently minding four children on a full and part time basis. She walks to local schools to take and collect children and helps to run a local carer and toddler group. There are a pet dog and a cat at the setting.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a clean, well-organised setting, where they learn the importance of good personal hygiene through practice and clear explanations. Tissues and wipes are readily available and children are reminded to flush the toilet after use, and wash and dry their hands thoroughly. This is effectively reinforced with the use of an appropriately sited notice in the bathroom. Nappy changing procedures are effective in helping prevent the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of first aid procedures and a valid first aid certificate, which means that she can give appropriate care if there is an accident. Accidents are recorded appropriately in the childminder's accident book and entries are countersigned by parents; although the medication record is generally kept up-to-date, the childminder does not consistently obtain the parents' written consent for medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents provide meals and snacks for babies and very young children, and the childminder follows their instructions regarding the storage and preparation of these. Meals provided by the childminder include healthy options such as salads, fresh fruit and yoghurt. Fresh drinking water is available at all times and older children confidently help themselves; this encourages them to think about their personal needs. Children occasionally eat out with the childminder and are encouraged to choose a healthy packed lunch on these occasions.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The environment provided is warm, welcoming and child friendly, and children are relaxed and at home at the setting. They move around and use the space confidently, helping themselves to the games and activities they enjoy. The resources for play, sleeping and eating are all in good condition so children use these in comfort and safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe by most aspects of the childminder's care. A careful check of the setting is made to ensure children are not exposed to hazards. A fire blanket is in place in the kitchen, smoke alarms are maintained in working order and stair gates are provided. The childminder has considered how she would evacuate the premises in the event of an emergency and this has been successfully consolidated in writing, however, it has not yet been regularly practised with the children who attend. The childminder has developed written systems for parental permission for outings, taking photographs and applying sun cream.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well safeguarded from possible abuse as the childminder has a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and how to record any concerns that she may have about a child's welfare in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well settled at the provision; they relate well to the childminder and to one another and are confident and sociable. The child centred environment is warm, cosy and welcoming, and children are encouraged to make themselves comfortable and 'at home'. In addition, 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 have many opportunities to socialise and take part in creative activities during regular trips to local toddler groups.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are learning to become independent as they choose between a variety of toys, books and activities. They spend their time purposefully and are actively engaged and interested in the activities provided. For example, they concentrate very well at an arts and craft activity making cards for Easter. They take pride in neatly colouring, gluing and sticking on shapes, write their name and an Easter message, and receive praise and encouragement for their efforts.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children use their imagination well and are provided with the props they need for role play and dressing up. They enjoy making themselves a 'den' under the table and play imaginatively with the pots, pans and play food. The childminder's flexible approach allows for children to pursue their own games and play independently when they wish.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of equalities issues. Children have access to some resources and activities, such as world religions posters and flags and discussion of the different religious and cultural festivals, which help them to develop their knowledge and understanding of the wider community. Children's questions regarding diversity are answered positively and supported by the acquisition of appropriate books and information.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Although the childminder is not presently caring for children with learning or physical disabilities, she has a positive and sensitive attitude to ensure inclusion for all children and ongoing support for their families.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour management strategies are appropriate and help children understand right from wrong. They generally behave well, learning to share and take turns, for example, as they play simple computer games together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A good partnership with parents contributes to children's well-being while at the setting; relevant information is made readily available to parents and a good two-way flow of information ensures continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children receive good support from the childminder; she interacts positively with them, helping them feel secure and she has built strong supportive relationships with both children and parents, which adds to children's sense of self confidence.

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Organisation

Record keeping is satisfactory. Registers are up-to-date and contain children's hours of attendance. The childminder keeps detailed information on children. This enables her to cater for their individual needs well and deal promptly with situations such as contacting parents, should there be an emergency. She has suitable procedures in place to ensure information is effectively shared with parents and that confidentiality is maintained.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, four actions were set; these were to plan and provide a suitable range of toys and activities for children, based on their individual needs and appropriate for their stage of development. To provide a complaints procedure and system for recording complaints. To obtain written permission and keep a written record, signed by parents, of medicines given to children and to develop knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities, and provide a range of positive representation of gender, culture and disabilities within play resources and equipment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has added to her toys and equipment, ensuring that the range she has is appropriate and suitable for the ages of children she looks after and includes some positive representation of gender, culture and differing abilities. She has a written complaints procedure that is made available for parents and a system for recording complaints; she generally obtains written parental consent prior to administering medication and keeps a written record of this. On one occasion, she overlooked obtaining prior written consent and this has resulted in a recommendation being set from this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The improvements made have had a generally positive effect on the care provided for children.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • obtain written permission from parents on each occasion before administering medication to children • regularly practise the emergency evacuation procedure with the children who attend

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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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