Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY223243 Unique Reference Number 01 May 2008 Inspection date Carolyn Mary Hasler Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2003. She is registered to provide care for five children under eight years; of these one may be between one and five years.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She lives with her husband and three children; aged 18 months, 14 and 12 years. The premises comprise of an end of terrace house situated in the Bush Hill Park area of the London borough of Enfield. All areas of the property are used for childminding purposes, apart from the master bedroom. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. There is currently one child on roll, who attends on a part time basis

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of how to promote children's health. There are systems in place to gather information from parents regarding children's medical

p.2

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 needs, special requirements and allergies. The childminder talks about how children have access to fresh air and exercise which promotes their physical fitness. She holds a first aid certificate and is able to describe how she acts in the best interest of children when they become sick or injured. The childminder is knowledgeable about the records she needs to keep with regard to children's health. For example, recording accidents, administration of medication and incidents of concern.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of healthy eating, including the need for children to have access to fresh drinking water at all times. Through discussion she describes how she works closely with parents to ensure children receive a mixture of fresh ingredients and convenience foods.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder describes how she welcomes children into her home by being friendly and showing them the play equipment. They have access to the whole of her house but mainly play on the ground floor within the lounge area or the play room at the back of the house. This area can only be used in the summer as it gets draughty in the colder months. The lounge and play room have comfortable places to sit and rest or to move around actively. There are good sources of natural light from bay windows at the front of the house and corrugated plastic sheeting which acts as a roof to the play room. The windows open to allow ventilation. Her home is centrally heated which is thermostatically controlled. The kitchen, toilet and bathroom are situated on the ground floor, this offers children quick and easy access to facilities. Resting children have access to the first floor, they can also use this area to play with supervision. In

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

addition children have access to the rear garden in fine weather. All in all the premises are conducive to playing and learning.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a variety of play resources. Toys, play equipment, nursery furniture and aids are age appropriate and support the needs of current children; they are of good quality and well maintained. The childminder generally understands the importance of providing children with equipment that helps them be independent.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of how to provide a safe environment for children to play in. Generally the premises are safe. However, children could access the washing powder stored at low level and there is no fire evacuation procedure in place to guide children out of the premises in the event of a fire. She talks about ensuring that children are closely supervised at all times and how children are learning to cross the road safely while out, promoting children's safety.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Through discussion the childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of child protection issues, she is aware of the different organisations which she needs to discuss her concerns with. If allegations are made against her or her family, she is clear how to proceed. However, she was less confident on issues relating to when it is appropriate to share concerns with parents and keeping records. There was a lack of appropriate procedures to support and guide the childminder with safeguarding concerns.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder talks about how she promotes children's confidence and independence by storing toys and play equipment in a manner which encourages children to help themselves. They are sufficient in quantity and easily accessible in low level filing cabinets. However, unless children are very familiar with what is in the cabinets; they can not tell what is stored within as there is no indication on the front of the cupboards. She talks about the creative activities which children enjoy such as painting and drawing; they also enjoy role model equipment such as dressing up. She uses both English and Bengali to talk to children which fosters their language development. The impact of these activities on children is not clear as there are no records of what children can do.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Through discussion the childminder demonstrates an appropriate knowledge and awareness of the importance of treating each child with equal respect and concern. She explains that children who use her service are from a variety of different back grounds but they are all expected to care for their environment and equally for each other. They have a small variety of play resources which encourages them to build awareness of others who have different lifestyles and experiences to them.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is aware that some children may have learning difficulties or disabilities. However, she is anxious about engaging in a care arrangement which involves catering for special requirements, her understanding of the issues involved are limited.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shows a willingness to work with children to support their development of social skills, helping them to manage their own behaviour. She explains that they are learning to share and take turns, be kind and play nicely, she offers them encouragement and praises their achievements. There are house rules and the childminder explains she is consistent in the way she manages difficult behaviour. If children squabble between themselves, she sees her role as a mediator, helping children to negotiate and make compromises.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of the need to develop a strong partnership with parents, taking into account their differing needs. She explains how new children are helped to separate from parents sensitively, offering them time to adjust and build trusting relationships before care arrangements commence. Through documentation the childminder demonstrates how she establishes a working relationship with parents, she sets time aside during the day to share information on the child. Although the childminder was able to explain how she would respond to verbal complaints from parents, she has limited knowledge on how to proceed with a written complaint.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is aware of her duty to ensure that other people living and working on the premises are suitable to be in contact with children and has ensured that they have undergone vetting procedures. She is working within the constraints of her registration certificate which she displays on the wall for parents to see. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of the National Standards and keeps herself up to date by attending a variety of short courses

p.4

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 which enhances her knowledge of current childcare issues. She organises space and resources to best meet the needs of the children.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder demonstrates a sound awareness of regulations and the documentation she needs to keep to underpin her services.

p.5

Organisation

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

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to meet several actions related to children's health and welfare. She was asked to keep a written record, signed by parents, of medicines given to children and obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children. In addition she was asked to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder met these actions. This means that children's health and welfare is safeguarded.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Lastly the childminder was asked to ensure records show children’s hours of attendance. This was also met and ensures that children are accounted for at all times while in the childminder's care and records can be accurately checked by Ofsted.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • improve children's safety by providing a fire evacuation procedure and recording evacuation practices and ensuring that the garden has been risk assessed • further develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues by obtaining a copy of how to safeguard children from the local authority • develop knowledge and understanding about special needs • develop knowledge and understanding of the regulation related to complaints

p.5

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 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

p.5

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

p.6