Northern Counties College

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 131946 Inspection date 13 January 2006 Inspector Christine Stimson

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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 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 has been registered since 1995. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and 12 years, in a house within walking distance of local shops, bus routes and parks. It is situated close to Norbiton station, which is in the London borough of Kingston. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three part time children. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends a parent toddler group on a

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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 regular basis. The family have five guinea pigs which are kept in the garden, an a tank of tropical fish kept in the house. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health and welfare is given high priority by the childminder, who ensures children play in a clean well maintained environment. They learn from an early age the importance of good personal hygiene through organised daily routines. For example, children are encouraged to be independent by taking themselves to the toilet and washing their hands when they have finished. They each have their own individual towel kept at child height, which gives them a sense of belonging and encourages good hygiene practice. The childminder has devised a sick child policy that she shares with parents. This, along with well kept accident and medication records and a qualification in first aid, supports children's health and well being. Children receive a wide range of food whilst in the childminder's care, some of which is organically grown by the childminder on her allotment. They receive healthy and

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Helping children to be healthy

nutritious meals each day. For example, today the children ate a lunch of salmon, pasta and vegetables, followed by a yoghurt and some fruit. The meal was accompanied by a drink of water. The childminder maintains a daily diary for each child in her care containing details of the food children have eaten during the day. This supports the health of the children who attend. The childminder ensures children play outside most days, either in the park or in her garden. She takes them to a local playground where they play on appropriate equipment suitable for their age and stage of development. She also takes children to a toddler group once a week where they have opportunities to play on sit and ride cars, developing confidence and skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a secure environment where they can move around safely and where priority is given to their personal safety. The childminder takes precautions to prevent accidents, for example all kitchen cupboards have child locks and all accessible sockets have covers. Children learn how to evacuate the premises quickly and safely following the evacuation procedure the childminder has put in place. A fire blanket hangs in the in the kitchen and smoke alarms are maintained in working order. This supports children's safety and well being.

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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 are able to play in a secure garden where sheds are locked and fencing is secure. The childminder takes children on outings, where they are taught how to keep safe whilst out walking and learn how to cross roads safely. Both indoors and out in the garden children have access to a range of toys and resources. These are well maintained and suitable for their age and stage of development. Children's well being is supported as the childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues. This ensures that concerns the childminder may have about a child are dealt with in an appropriate manner.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children respond enthusiastically to the activities that are provided by the childminder each day. Emphasis is put on children developing the breadth of their skills. For example, building log cabins from a construction kit and dressing up to re-enact stories. Children attend a regular toddler group where they socialise with other children and learn to take turns. The childminder encourages children's independence by allowing them time to put on their own coats and shoes. Their physical skills are extended by playing ball games in the garden and by regular trips to local playgrounds to use age appropriate apparatus. Children enjoy listening to stories read by the childminder and learn about the meaning of words through her expressive reading. They spend time talking about things they see in books. For example, the childminder asked a child to count how many items were hanging on a washing line in the book they were reading. Children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

are able to access toys kept at child height and engage in self chosen activities which enables them to explore and investigate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have regular opportunities to learn about the world they live in through outings and activities that introduce them to other cultures. For example, by attending a regular toddler group where they socialise with the local children. Their appreciation of other cultures and disability is enhanced by a variety of books, puzzles and play figures that are part of their everyday play. All children in the childminder's care have their individual needs met, as the childminder is experienced enough to be able to adapt activities to meet the needs of the children attending. The childminder enables children to develop a sense of belonging whilst in her care. For example, responding to a child who wants to cuddle up and look at a book. The childminder has developed strategies to deal with inappropriate behaviour, using

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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 distraction or a firmer tone of voice and by reinforcing positive behaviour. For example, rewarding children with stickers for showing kindness to others. Partnership with parents is good. The childminder keeps parents informed of their child's day through a diary system and by talking to them individually at the end of each day. She has provided each parent with a complaints procedure, but has no record book where she can note any concerns they may have.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from being cared for by an experienced childminder who organises her home and outdoor area in such a way that children have plenty of room to play. They receive sufficient support to help them feel safe and secure, but are also allowed time to play using their imaginations and selecting toys of their choice. The childminder plans the week well allowing time for socialising, outings and free play indoors or in the garden. All regulatory documentation for the safe and effective management of children is in place, but the childminder does not display her registration certificate for parents to see. Relevant information is kept on the children in her care and this is maintained in a confidential and secure manner. Since the last inspection the childminder has had an extension added to her home. However, she failed to inform Ofsted that she was having building work done and this

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Organisation

is a requirement under the National Standards. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection four recommendations were made. The childminder was asked to devise a sick child policy, ensure the hearth in the lounge did not cause harm to children, keep accurate attendance records and provide children with resources that promote equality of opportunity. Since then good progress has been made. A sick child policy is now shared with parents and this ensures parents do not bring their children to the setting when they are ill. This supports the health of all the other children attending. The hearth of the fire place in the front lounge is now protected by soft cushions to stop children hurting themselves. The childminder's attendance register now shows details of the time children arrive and depart and resources have increased that reflect people from different cultures and of all abilities. This helps children to learn about the wider community.

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Complaints 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 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 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): • maintain a complaint record • ensure Ofsted are kept informed of significant events.

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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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