The Gateway Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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133114 Unique Reference Number 25 April 2008 Inspection date Kay Williams 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 1995. She lives with her husband and three adult children. They live in Archway which is located within the London borough of Islington The kitchen/diner, lounge and hallway are the main areas of the childminder’s home that are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding two children under the age of five.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends local toddler groups and takes children to the park. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a hygienically clean environment. Children learn about the importance of good personal hygiene because the childminder encourages them to wash their hands after

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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 they use the toilet. They use paper towels to dry their hands and this helps to reduce the risk of cross-infection. Children are further protected from the risk of cross infection because the childminder has suitable procedures in place to care for children who become ill. In the event of an accident children would receive appropriate medical treatment because the childminder holds a current first aid qualification and has written permission from parents for children to receive emergency medical treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder takes the children for walks each day and they often visit the local parks where they are able to play and exercise in the fresh air. The childminders garden is only used during the summer months.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are fed according to their individual dietary needs. The childminder has sound knowledge of the importance of healthy eating and the children enjoy their snack of yoghurt and a banana.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are appropriately safeguarded as the childminder has sufficient knowledge of child protection issues. She is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and of her responsibility to report concerns to Social Services and to Ofsted. However, she is less confident about the appropriate action that she should take if an allegation is made against her.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are able to move freely and safely around the childminders home. They are comfortable in her care and enjoy the cuddles and affection that she offers them. She has taken appropriate precautions to ensure their safety, for example, the stairs are secured with a safety gate and the radiators are covered. During outings younger children are strapped safely into a buggy or safety reins are used if the child is old enough to walk. Equipment and resources are clean and well maintained. Children move confidently between the few activities that are available to them, although there are limited opportunities for them to select resources for themselves.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy the childminders company and she offers them good amounts of attention. Children who are upset because they want to visit the park are soon comforted by the childminder. She offers them a snack as they snuggle into her lap and before long they are confident to get down and initiate their own play. The resources and play materials available are satisfactory. Children can play freely with the toys that are available to them. They drive their cars around the helter-skelter and make shapes with the play dough. There are however, too few opportunities for children to select resources for themselves other than what the childminder has already set out for them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is attentive of the children's play and supports their learning by encouraging them to name the colours of the beads on the abacus. She also offers to read them a story. Together they enjoy a little singing and dancing to the music that the childminder play for them and they are learning the words to the song 'the wheels on the bus'. They particularly enjoy the opportunity to turn the volume up and down. Children become excited as the childminder announces plans to visit the park in the afternoon.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children individual needs are appropriately met. The childminder knows the children well because she has clear line of communication with their parents. The childminder values diversity and treats all children with equal concern, although she does not record sufficient details regarding children's culture, language and religion. The childminder has had experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities in the past and works closely with parents and other professionals to support children's wellbeing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are generally well behaved. The childminder has a calm and gentle rapport with the children and they respond well to her. She praises the efforts of younger children as they learn to develop their independence by successfully peeling their own banana.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are happy with the service that they receive, many having written to express their gratitude. They are reasonably well informed regarding the service they receive. For example, they are advised of their right to complain and are offered the Ofsted telephone number. However, the childminder is less secure in her knowledge regarding the way in which she should respond to complaints, the timescales that she must adhere to and her responsibility for sharing complaints with other parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are suitably cared for in a homely environment where routines focus around their needs.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to her role and overall, she has a satisfactory understanding of her responsibilities. She has made most of the necessary improvements since her recent inspection and is aware of the areas that she needs to continue to develop. To this end she has attended training via the local authority and has developed her systems for maintaining accurate records of attendance. Her certificate of registration is displayed and accident and medical records are signed by parents. However, there are less effective systems in place with regards to responding to and the recording of complaints, implementing child protection procedures and recording children's individual needs.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the quality and standards of care was judged as inadequate.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was given notice to improve her practice. Consequently, she has made the following improvements to her service. Records of attendance are now accurately recorded. She is now aware of her responsibility to notify Ofsted of infectious diseases and has sought written permission from parent to obtain emergency medical treatment for the children in her care. She has improved and extended the range of activities and resources available to the children to a satisfactory standard, although this continues to be an area for development. She has developed her understanding of child protection issues but needs to continue to extend this knowledge.

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Improvements 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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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 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): • continue to develop child protection knowledge, especially regarding the correct procedure to follow if an allegation is made against the childminder • continue to develop the resources and activities that are available for the children and offer more opportunities for them to help themselves to toys and play materials • record more detailed information regarding children's individual needs including children's culture, language and religion • develop a greater understanding of the correct process for dealing with complaints and update the system for recording complaints in order to share this information with parents.

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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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