Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY265096 Unique Reference Number 29 August 2008 Inspection date Maggie Thorp 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 registered in 2003. She lives in a three bedroom house in Finsbury Park in the London Borough of Islington. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding. Children also play in the fully enclosed garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight and to provide overnight care for two children. She currently has one baby on roll. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school. The family have fish as pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean environment with very good hygiene measures in place. The floors, surfaces and resources that children use are washed regularly and thoroughly. Children learn about how to be healthy through the guidance and good example of the childminder. She washes her own and children's hands after toileting or play outdoors and takes hand cleansing gel on picnics and outings for children to use. Children are also protected by the care

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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 she takes to ensure that food and babies' bottles are stored and prepared hygienically. Bedding for children is clean and each child has their own sheets, covers, towels and flannels.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well cared for if they are unwell or need medicines, and guidance is given to parents about when children who have been unwell can attend to avoid cross infection. However, the childminder has let her qualification in first aid lapse and whilst she has booked a course to rectify this, currently she does not have the most up-to-date knowledge of appropriate treatment if a child is hurt.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eat very well as they sit around the dining table enjoying meals together with the childminder's own children. Young children receive lots of support and encouragement and the childminder is careful to ensure their dietary needs and eating patterns are noted and children receive the appropriate food. The childminder is careful to record what babies have had to eat and drink, and confers with parents about the introduction of new foods.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children really enjoy the exercise and the opportunities they have to learn new physical skills when playing in the garden and visiting local groups and parks. They climb on apparatus at local drop in groups and the park, and play with wheeled toys, a slide and trampoline in the garden. Indoors, babies have plenty of space and encouragement from the childminder to learn to crawl and they gurgle with delight when playing bouncing games on the childminder's knee.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very welcoming, well maintained, child friendly environment. They have plenty of space, warmth and light in the living room, dining and kitchen areas. They also play in the bedrooms upstairs where there are lots of toys to choose from. Children have easy access to the toilet which is downstairs and to the garden. This is a small but secure area for play. The back gate is kept locked, the outdoor play space is checked and any hazards are removed before children use it.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have all the appropriate resources to enable them to eat, sleep and play in comfort. The baby chair is fixed to the table so babies can be part of mealtimes, stair gates are in place and a travel cot and lower bunk bed provides cosy sleeping arrangements for naps and children staying overnight. When going on local outings young children can ride in a double buggy. In addition, the childminder has a car and appropriate car seats for longer outings. They enjoy a wide choice of play materials which are well matched to children's stages of development. These are in good condition and accessible to children. Some are set out around the room and on the table. Others are in the bedrooms and children enjoy going up to choose what they want to play with.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in safety as the childminder is vigilant in checking that her home is free from potential hazards. She maintains good fire safety with smoke alarms on each floor, and she ensures that children only have access to toys suitable for their age and stage of development. An example of this is that she removes toys with small parts from her son's bedroom when young children use this for sleeping. Low cupboards have opening restrictors as do upstairs windows. Children are well supervised on outings and when attending local groups.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

In addition, children are safeguarded from abuse by the childminder's good knowledge and understanding of possible signs of abuse and of what to do if she has concerns about a child.

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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 She is clear about the importance of keeping careful records and passing on any concerns to the appropriate agencies.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, engaged and learning as they explore the many toys and activities suitable for their age and development that the childminder provides. These are set out on the floor for young children's easy access. Babies and older children enjoy exploring a wide range of textures as they play with toys made from wood and different types of fabric as well as plastic toys. In addition, they explore the textures of cornflour, paint, glue and dough.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's pretend play is fostered very well by the clothes in the dressing up box, a fort, a train set, toy animals, and a well equipped play kitchen and dolls. Children's creativity is encouraged by the art materials the childminder provides. These are set out on the dining room table out of reach of tiny babies. Children draw, paint and make models, sometimes using recycled materials. They also enjoy a wide range of other art activities at the local groups the childminder takes children to.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder enhances children's experiences and encourages their language skills by spending time playing with them. She organises herself well so that babies needing a cuddle can be held and played with whilst support is also given to older children. Babies are learning to communicate through the childminder chatting to them as they play, and as she changes nappies and prepares food.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children’s experiences are enhanced by the interesting outings and activities the childminder provides. The childminder plans these on a weekly basis. Something special is set out on the table each day and children go on trips to the park, the farm and to local groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's self esteem and sense of belonging is encouraged very well by the way the childminder works closely with parents and finds out about each child. Young children benefit from their home routine being known and followed at the childminder's house, and their need for familiar comfort objects and toys being recognised and catered for by the childminder. Children and parents are given plenty of time to get to know the childminder and children settle into her care well because this is done slowly.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder keeps parents well informed through a daily diary of what their children have been doing. She collects all the appropriate contact information. She supplies parents with contracts and has obtained their consent for outings and for children to receive medical treatment in an emergency. The childminder displays information about how to complain and talks at length with parents about her policies and procedures. However, she provides limited written information about her service that parents can take home and use as a reference point.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's own cultures and abilities are known and reflected, and they are learning to value those of others. This is through the range of books and toys provided, trips to the library and to local groups where children mix with those from many different cultures and ability. In addition, they participate in art activities planned to celebrate a variety of festivals.

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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 Children play very well in the childminder's care. Older children are learning the difference between right and wrong through a few simple rules the childminder has devised with children. She has good methods for setting limits and encouraging cooperation. A thinking step is used to help children take time out to reflect on more positive ways of behaving if they persist in doing something unhelpful. Babies inappropriate behaviour for example, trying to grab what another child has is managed well. The childminder is vigilant and quickly diverts their attention with another toy. The childminder encourages good behaviour by frequently praising children and they respond well to this.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are content, well looked after and they are learning as they play through the childminder's well organised care. The play materials and environment is well set out to encourage children's independence and provide a wide variety of choice. Their health and safety is fostered effectively except in relation to first aid as this is a priority for the childminder. The arrangements the childminder made to up date her first aid training failed so her qualification has lapsed. However, she was quick to find and book a place on another course, even though there were no places on local authority courses available.

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Organisation

Children’s welfare and individual needs are very well met by the childminder who has the appropriate records in place to support her understanding of each child. These are well maintained and readily accessible. However, she is less well organised in providing parents with comprehensive written information about her service. Children benefit from the commitment the childminder has to developing her child care knowledge and understanding through the additional training she is undertaking. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved provision for children by acting on the recommendation made. This recommendation was to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote positive images of disability. The childminder has done this by using the library and taking children to local groups. Children use books with positive images of disability and meet children from many different backgrounds and abilities.

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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. 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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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

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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): • develop more written information to enable parents to be better informed about the policies in place and the services offered • attend the planned first aid course to ensure that children will receive appropriate care if they have accidents

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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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