Wellington Lions Primary Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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140224 Unique Reference Number 02 July 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 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 1993. She lives with her two secondary school aged children in a first floor, two bedroom flat in Highgate in the London borough of Haringey. Children play in the living room. The childminder does not have a garden but takes children to local parks and play groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is registered to provide care for three children under eight years. At present, the childminder cares for two children under five years. Children currently attend on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health and well-being is effectively promoted. They enjoy daily opportunities to play and exercise in the fresh air as they develop physical skills, such as walking and climbing.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are fed according to their parents' wishes and the childminder has clear written information regarding children's dietary needs which she can easily reference to ensure that

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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 children are fed accordingly. Children enjoy a sociable snack time when they sit at the table with the childminder who chats with them as they eat their blueberries. The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of healthy eating, offering children nutritious home made food or alternatively parents may choose to provide food for their children. Children are offered drinks regularly throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well cared for in a hygienically clean home where appropriate routines support their general well-being. For example, nappy changing routines are clean and hygienic, children are laid on a disposable changing mat and they are encouraged to wash their hands once their nappy has been changed in order to promote their understanding of the importance of good personal hygiene. They have their own personal towel and bedding which reduces the risk of cross contamination. The procedure for the care of sick children further reduces the risk of cross infection as children who become ill are excluded from the childminder's care until they are non contagious.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel safe and secure in the childminder's home. The home has been reorganised to create a welcoming child friendly environment. Displays of children's art work and reference poster make the lounge attractive. Children's sense of belonging is strengthened as they have a designated draw for their personal possessions which they can access freely for themselves. Children clearly feel at home in the childminder's care and the gradual settling procedure has helped them to develop a secure bond with her and she delights in their company. Children enjoy independent access to a good range of age appropriate play materials which are stored in low level crates and baskets.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is given good consideration. The childminder has risk assessed all areas of her home and has deployed appropriate precautions. For example, she no longer uses the oven while children are present, although if the children are engaging in a cooking activity then the childminder ensures that the activity is well supervised. The visit from the fire officer and the childminder's subsequent response has made the home safer still. Smoke detectors are regularly tested and fire evacuations are practised and recorded monthly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has extended her knowledge of child protection procedures and holds a sound understanding of how to identify and report concerns. However, her knowledge of recording such concerns is less secure, although she is due to attend training to address this area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminder's increased knowledge of how children learn. Recent training that she has undertaken has strengthened her knowledge of the provision of age appropriate stimulating activities. She has a developing knowledge of the new Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum and is beginning to develop systems for observing children's development and planning for their next stages. For example, as babies become more mobile the childminder clears floor space to encourage this area of development, holding their hands as they proudly walk around the room. As their competence develops she helps them to extend their learning by supervising them as they practise climbing the stairs.

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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 Children enjoy using books independently and the childminder supports this interest by reading stories to them as they snuggle on to her lap. Children are developing sociable relationships with the childminder and they clearly enjoy each others' company. Their bond is strengthened because the childminder makes their care routines, such as bottle feeding a personal and positive experience. Children snuggle on her lap as the childminder chats and sooths the child who responds by holding her hand. Children are developing their language and communication skills well. They make sounds and gestures in response to the childminders questions and comments and babble happily as they use the toy phone.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are becoming competent learners as they empty and fill sorting boxes with some help and support from the childminder. They delight in their success as they activate the pop up toys for themselves. Daily outings to the One O' Clock Club, the library and the local parks extends children's experiences and offer them additional activities, such as creative art and role play. These regular outings effectively address the issue of limited space in the childminder home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are effectively met because the childminder knows them well. She records detailed information when the children start which she uses for reference as she plans for their individual needs. For example, she knows what children like to play with and what other languages they speak at home. The childminder has bought some new resources for children to play with, including books, puzzles and dolls which reflect positive images of cultural and social diversity, although these are not extensive, children are beginning to develop an appreciation for cultures other than their own.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved. The childminder creates a good sense of fun during the time she spends playing with the children, children laugh and giggle as they turn the pages of the story book and press the button that makes a 'hooting' noise. Her involvement offers the children a positive role model which encourages them to learn to play co operatively. Children are developing a positive self image as they delight in the praise that that the childminder offers them, consequently their self esteem is well fostered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive relationships that the childminder has developed with their parents. This effectively supports their continuity of care as information is freely exchanged. All of the relevant consent forms are completed and parents routinely sign the accident and medication records. Parents are well informed regarding the service they receive and they are required to sign all written policies and procedure to ensure they understand the impactions.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well cared for in an organised environment where daily routines flow smoothly, balancing children's care routines with good opportunities for children to play and learn.

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Organisation

The childminder has made significant improvements to the quality of the service that she provides. Her commitment to attending a variety of additional training and her newly acquired knowledge of the requirements of the National Standards has enhanced her practice effectively.

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Organisation

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

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the quality and standard of the care was judged inadequate. Actions were set requiring the childminder to improve her knowledge of the National Standards and make all records available for inspection. In addition she was required to improve her knowledge of child protection procedures and reduce the safety hazards in her home. She was also required to obtain written permission from parents for the administration of medication and keep records, signed by parents of medication administered.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children now benefit from the significant improvements to the care they receive. The childminder has worked hard to address the actions. Her home is now safe and all hazards have been addressed. All records are in place and she has developed a comprehensive knowledge of the National Standards. She has developed a sound understanding of child protection issues and additional training with strengthen this knowledge further.

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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 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): • enhance existing knowledge of the appropriate methods for recording child protection concerns • continue to develop inclusive practice in order to offer a range of opportunities for children to learn about diversity.

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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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