Albert Village Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 143608 Inspection date 28 October 2005 Inspector Martha Naa Ahimah Darkwah

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1996. She lives with her husband and one child aged ten years in Shepherds Bush in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for minding and one bedroom is used for sleeping purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five all day and one child over five before and after school.

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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 The family have no pets. The childminder walks to local schools to drop off and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a National Vocation Qualification level three in childcare and education.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are protected from infection because the childminder follows an agreed sickness policy with parents ensuring that children who are unwell do not attend. Children's health and wellbeing is assured by the clear and appropriate hygiene procedures the childminder uses in her daily routine. Children are taught to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. Their health is safeguarded as they play, eat and rest in a clean environment due to the good standards of cleanliness maintained by the childminder in the home. Children's health is assured in most aspects by clear record keeping and a safe working knowledge of first aid and emergency procedures, however, the childminder does not have written consent from parents for giving medication. Additionally, children's health is compromised because the childminder has no written consent for seeking emergency medical treatment or advice for minded children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy freshly prepared food including fruits and vegetables that meet their dietary needs. Children are given varied and nutritious meals and snacks. They are learning about healthy eating from discussions with the childminder. Subsequently this enables them to make suitable choices. they have easy access to drinks at any time and can choose healthy snacks. Children have fun with plenty of opportunities for fresh air and exercise as they take daily walks to the park, local pre-school and library. They enjoy the company of other children, learn to share and play harmoniously together. They have regular access to outdoor play to enhance their physical development. For example children explore the outdoors and gain confidence in using climbing equipment and rides in the park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to sufficient toys and resources to play with which stimulate and attract them. They are gaining independence because some of their toys are arranged on low level stackable boxes and baskets for free choice and easy access. Children are cared for in a clean, tidy home environment with sufficient space for them to move about freely. Children's safety is mostly maintained in the childminder's home. For example the front and back door is secure and safety gates prevent

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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 children's access to the hallway, stairs and the kitchen. However, children have access to a trolley in the lounge area, which contains a breakable tea set and china. Toys are stored in this area and the childminder has not taken sufficient steps to restrict young children's access to it. Children's safety in relation to child protection matters is secure because the childminder is well informed and has sufficient knowledge and understanding of reporting procedures. She had knowledge of the Area Child Protection Committee procedures and the contact numbers for making a referral when the need arises.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children are enjoying and achieving because the childminder actively promotes their learning. They regularly enjoy interesting outings and visits to playgroups, the park and to a Disney theatre show. They experience play and interaction with other adults and children at these settings which helps to develop their social skills. They are gaining a knowledge of the wider world and their speech is developing well because the childminder teaches them new words in relation to what they see when they are out walking and through planned activities. Children learn new words from sharing books and from talking and playing with the childminder. For example, they confidently name words on flash cards and are beginning to use mathematical language associated with the words and pictures. However they have limited opportunities to engage in role play activities and messy creative play. Young

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children do not fully benefit from extended activities because the Birth to Three Matters framework is not used. Children benefit from the childminders conscientious approach to further training which helps her to offer them a worthwhile choice of activities to help them extend their knowledge and skills. For example she has attended a story telling workshop and uses the skills effectively to improve story time with the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from the continuity of care provided by the childminder. This is supported by the frequent exchange of information between the parents and the childminder. Information is regularly shared about the children's food and drink, their development and activities they enjoy. Children enjoy a stable routine, all aspects of which are discussed and agreed with parents. Most parental consents, details of the expectations between the childminder and the parents and what the childminder provides for children, are included in contract documents. The children are generally well behaved, calm and happy in the childminder's care. They are learning what is right and wrong through firm but kind direction from the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 childminder who discusses the techniques used with parents to ensure that children benefit from a consistent approach. The childminder is adequately meeting the needs of all children. They are becoming familiar with people from diverse backgrounds as they play with some books, puzzles and toys and socialise with many children and adults at playgroups, school and on outings. However there is limited provision for children to learn about religious festivals and practices and religion.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are provided with activities that aid their development. This is because the childminder has a positive attitude to training and development which has helped her to develop and extend her work with children. Most of the documents including insurance and attendance records are in place and they are kept up to date which contributes to children's general welfare. However, there is no written parental consents for the giving of medication and for seeking emergency medical treatment or advice if necessary. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to extend toys and resources promoting culture, gender, ethnicity and disability. Children have assess to some of the toys and resources such as books and dolls that the childminder has purchased. They also benefit from regular trips to the library to chose culturally diverse books. For example, during trips to the local market, the childminder uses this as learning opportunities to highlight to children various foods and artefacts from different parts of the world.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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

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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 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 parental consents for the giving of medication and for seeking emergency medical treatment or advice if necessary • increase the knowledge and understanding of the needs of children under 3-years-of-age, for example by using the Birth to Three Matters framework.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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