Axe Valley Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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144392 Unique Reference Number 26 March 2008 Inspection date Elenora Griffin 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 1994. She lives with her husband and one grown child in the London Borough of Hackney. The kitchen, living room, toilet and one bedroom in the childminder's house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children on various days and two children after school. The childminder lives within walking distance of Stoke Newington High Road and walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local toddler groups and parks on a daily basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy being cared for in a clean and welcoming environment. They are protected from cross infection through the childminder's clear sick child policy. Children are beginning to learn how to keep themselves healthy as they use disposable wipes for their hands and to clean their

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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 noses. However, the messages that children receive that help them to learn about personal hygiene through the daily routine are not always consistent. For example, children do not always wash their hands before eating snacks. Children are well cared for if they are ill or have an accident. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate, has easy access to a fully stocked first box and has consent for seeking emergency medical treatment. Children enjoy continuity of care because any accidents are clearly recorded and shared with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about healthy eating and nutrition because they receive regular snacks and meals that the childminder ensures are low in sugar, fat, salt and additives. Children enjoy snacking on fresh and dried fruit and help themselves to fresh drinking water. The childminder helps young children to start to understand what food is good for them and encourages them to make healthy choices. For example, to drink water instead of juice and to have savoury instead of sweet biscuits. Children reap the benefits of daily outings to parks and local toddler groups. These places offer children a wide range of opportunities to develop their physical skills through access to equipment such as climbing frames, bikes and cars.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy being cared for in a homely environment in which they can move about freely and safely. They make choices about what they want to do as they independently access boxes of toys and resources. Children benefit from being able to access a good range of toys and resources that are clean and well maintained. The organisation of space provides areas where children can spread out with activities and children are able to rest and relax in comfort in the childminder's living room. Children are learning how to keep themselves safe under the childminder's guidance. For example, young children learn how to stay safe on the stairs as the childminder encourages them to climb down legs first, on their fronts.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for safely because of the childminder's careful supervision and consistent reinforcement of the rules and boundaries that keep them safe. Children's safety is promoted through the effective implementation of policies and procedures. For example, the childminder has a clear emergency evacuation procedure, has completed a general risk assessment for her home and has developed well thought out policies for health and safety. Children are safeguarded from harm and neglect because the childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse, shares her child protection policy with parents and regularly updates her training.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. They actively explore the toys and resources that are readily available and are confident to ask for what they cannot get for themselves. For example, to ask for snacks, for stories to be read and to move toys between rooms. The childminder has a lovely rapport with children. She actively engages with them in their play and they develop close, positive relationships. Consequently, children develop as sense of trust and feel valued. The childminder gets to know children well and uses her sound knowledge and understanding of child development to provide appropriate activities and experiences to support their development. She takes advantage of learning opportunities as she plays with children. For example, supporting their language skills as she encourages them to join in with nursery rhymes and points out the colours of blocks as they build towers.

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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 Children benefit from accessing the good range of toys, activities and resources that the childminder provides in her home. Children's experiences are enhanced through the daily outings that they make to various toddler groups in the local community and local parks. At these groups children have opportunities to participate in group activities such as circle and snack time, and to develop their social skills within larger groups of children. There are also various art and craft activities, messy play and outdoor play equipment available for children to use. Within the childminder's home children enjoy cuddling in with the childminder to read books. They enjoy looking at books and playing with dolls that they put nappies on and carefully wrap in blankets. Nurtured by the childminder children are becoming increasingly independent and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

confident in their play and interactions with others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are made to feel welcome and valued in the childminder's home. Whilst children are in her care the childminder devotes her attention to them, interacting with all of the children and supporting their development. Children access an appropriate range of toys and resources that help them to learn about diversity, and daily walks around the local community develop children's knowledge and understanding of the world around them. The childminder has clearly defined policies and procedures in place to ensure that children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities receive the support that they require. The childminder strives to ensure that all children are able to achieve their potential through her ongoing commitment to working closely with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children make good progress because the childminder develops positive relationships with parents. Families are well supported right from the start as the childminder adapts her settling in procedures to meet the needs of the child and the child's family. Feedback from parents through questionnaires is very positive. Children enjoy continuity of care because the childminder shares information effectively with parents though daily chats. Through close partnership with parents the childminder is able to provide consistency for children which enables her to effectively support them. For example, the childminder works closely with parents to support toilet training and when dealing with any challenging behaviour. Children's positive behaviour is effectively promoted by the childminder who sets clear and consistent boundaries for children, and who uses effective strategies to manage children's behaviour. Children receive lots of praise

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and encouragement and they are well-behaved children who play harmoniously together.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well cared for in a welcoming and homely environment. The childminder has a clear ethos and is committed to providing a safe and happy place for children where they can learn, grow and have fun. Children benefit from the development of comprehensive policies and procedures which the childminder shares with parents when they first start. Children's records and consents from parents enable the childminder to meet children's needs effectively on a daily basis. Children continue to receive good care because the childminder continues to attend training courses in order to improve and develop her practice. The childminder organises her time and resources well to ensure that children have an interesting and stimulating day. Consequently, children are happy, confident and make good progress.

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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 the childminder was asked to ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are readily accessible. The childminder has all required records in place and these are readily available for inspection.

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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 that the messages children receive that encourage them to learn about personal hygiene through the daily routine are consistent.

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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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