Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY342866 Unique Reference Number 30 May 2008 Inspection date Arda Halls 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged two and six years in a one bedroom flat in the NW1 area of the London Borough of Camden. The lounge and bedroom are the main areas used for childminding. There is no access to an outdoor space for children to play, but children are regularly taken to the local parks. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children at any one time and is currently minding three children, each on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local drop-in groups and is a member of a local childminder support group. The family have no pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health and hygiene is promoted as the childminder sustains a satisfactory level of cleanliness throughout her home. Children coming in from school learn about personal hygiene as the childminder encourages them to change their clothes and wash themselves before playing. However, children do not wash their hands before eating which means they are not learning

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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 good habits to keep clean. Children are protected from unnecessary illness as they do not attend if they have an infection. Nappy changing takes place on a changing mat in the sitting room. The childminder does not use disposable gloves and does not clean the mat after use. This is not good practice and compromises children's health and well being. Children are safeguarded by the childminder's sound understanding of emergency first aid. A suitably stocked first aid box is in place and the childminder has an up to date first aid certificate. Medical information and consent for medical advice or treatment is in place in the event of an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in a range of daily outdoor play activities such as walking to school and playing in the park. This provides children with fresh air and exercise which promotes their well-being and helps them to acquire good physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy nutritious meals and snacks which establishes healthy eating habits from an early age. Their dietary requirements are taken into account which ensures that their individual food preferences are met. All arrangements are discussed with parents and the information is recorded. Children are aware that they can ask for drinks of water, fresh juice or diluted drinks at anytime.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming family home in an environment that is sufficiently maintained. There is a satisfactory use of space to help children to explore independently and to rest, eat and play comfortably. Children are gaining independence as they choose toys from easily accessible toy boxes available on the floor.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Toys and equipment are clean and sufficiently maintained to meet the children's individual needs. Equipment available includes a double pushchair, travel cot, potties and safety gates. Toys are purchased for their safety and suitability for children's ages. Children are safeguarded as the childminder checks the toys and equipment on a regular basis to reduce any hazards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a child focused environment where risks are identified and reduced to safeguard the children, for example safety gates are in place at the entrance to the kitchen and there is no low level glass accessible to children. Appropriate emergency escape plans have been devised to ensure children are taken out quickly in an emergency. Children are learning about keeping themselves safe, for example they examine the harness on the highchair and know it must be fastened when they sit in the chair. However, not all safety issues are addressed as electric sockets are not all protected and hazardous cleaning substances are at floor level in the bathroom.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is protected through the childminder’s sound understanding of her role and responsibility in child protection. She is aware of the indicators of abuse and of the importance of recording any concerns or incidents. Children are protected by the childminder's awareness of who to contact in the event of a concern or an allegation of abuse.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy playing games, singing and dancing round with the childminder. They laugh and smile as the songs progress. They choose to play with the dolls and carry them around the room in a baby carrier. They sit at a small table and chairs and examine the puzzle pieces. They are

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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 guided to place the puzzle pieces into the tray and they talk about the pictures of planes and buses on the puzzle. They listen to the childminder who sings about the wheels of the bus. Children smile as the childminder praises their efforts to complete the puzzle. They clap hands as the puzzle is complete which gives the children a sense of achievement.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children also like to play with large puzzles depicting different farm animals. They know the sounds the animals make and they enjoy this play very much. The learning is reinforced as the game is repeated. Occasionally children sit on ride-on toys and sing to themselves as they play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are encouraged to tidy up to prepare for sleeping. They are asked if they want to play with building materials and make a house. They watch the minder fitting the pieces together. They watch and they copy what they see. They talk together about the play figures in the house and they relate this to members of the family and where they are, sometimes pretending that they are calling 'mummy' on the telephone. Children are checked periodically to see if they are cold and offered a blanket around their shoulders. They talk about the colours of the building materials as they listen to children's songs. Children are encouraged again to tidy up to prepare for sleeping. At times, children are moved on too rapidly to play with one activity after another. There is no time for children to consolidate their learning as they play. They are not able to progress at their own pace.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy sharing a bedtime story when they are tired. They sing the songs in the book and they smile. They enjoy stories about 'getting to work'. Stories are read to the children with enthusiasm which helps keep them interested. Children concentrate and enjoy this time together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy at the childminder's home. They are familiar with the daily routine which enables them to feel safe and secure. For example, the childminder takes great care as she encourages children to have a sleep, making them comfortable and watching to see if they are ready to sleep. Children enjoy a story when they do not sleep which means they have sufficient rest while listening. A daily log is kept of children's routines to ensure that parents are updated on the children's day with the childminder. Children have access to all the toys and equipment with the childminder and are taken to the library and childminder drop-in centres where they can access a variety of books and toys. However there are few resources in the home to promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Through discussion the childminder indicates that she would make children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities welcome in her home as she has a positive attitude towards this area of childcare. However, at the time of inspection the childminder has no experience in looking after children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved on the day of inspection. The children are praised and encouraged in their daily activities, for example they are praised for their puzzle making. This helps them develop a positive self-image of themselves. Through discussion it is apparent that the childminder does not have sufficient awareness of appropriate strategies to manage older children's behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder establishes sound working relationships with parents to ensure the well-being of children. She completes and shares information such as contracts. She records appropriate information such as the personal contact details of parents complete with emergency telephone

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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 numbers. Consent information is in place to allow children to be taken outside of the home and for advice or treatment in the event of an emergency. The childminder is aware of recording complaints and is systematic in recording and addressing parents' concerns.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder states that there have been no changes to the household since her registration as a childminder.

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Organisation

Through discussion the childminder discloses that she has left an unregistered person in charge of minded children in an emergency. This is a breach of regulations.

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Organisation

The certificate of registration is clearly displayed for parents to see. The childminder organises the day to include a variety of play activities and physical exercise. This helps to ensure the children's overall developmental progress. The childminder has a basic awareness of children's individual needs and discusses the care of children with their parents. She explains how she cares for children giving them a baby massage at the end of the day. Lists of activities are written up into timetables and displayed for parents to view. The childminder explains how the timetable is altered according to the weather and school holidays as some facilities that are visited are closed at holiday times.

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Organisation

Most of the required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being is in place. Children's names and hours of attendance are generally recorded. However, on the day of inspection the last two days attendance have not been recorded.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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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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 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): • ensure good hygiene practices are in place regarding hand washing and nappy changing • make electric sockets and hazardous cleaning materials inaccessible to children • promote child centred play with children • ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice • develop appropriate strategies to manage children's behaviour • ensure there is a named and suitable person who is able to take charge in an emergency • ensure children's times of arrival and departure are recorded every day

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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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