Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY356158 Unique Reference Number 13 August 2008 Inspection date Julia Louise Crowley 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 was registered in 2007. She lives with her two children aged 13 and five years old in Tottenham in the London Borough of Haringey. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children over five, before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean home where routine practices adequately contribute to the children's general health. For example, the childminder ensures that the area where the children

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 play is sufficiently risk assessed and cleaned prior to the arrival of the children. Children understand the importance of good hygiene and minded children wash their hands automatically before and after meals and after outdoor play.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected in the event of an accident or illness, because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a secure knowledge of appropriate treatment. Additionally, documentation to support the child's care, for example medication and accident records, and consent for emergency treatment, is in place. Children benefit from a generally healthy diet however this could be extended to offer the children more variety and healthy options. Children are encouraged to drink plenty of water throughout the day.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have adequate opportunities to develop their physical skills when they visit the local park and in the garden. For example, children play team games with bat and balls, climb on the climbing frame and operate large mobile toys. Children's small motor skills are developed through activities such as threading, model making and jewellery design.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play happily in a welcoming environment. Children use an adequate range of toys and resources that are stimulating and suitable for their ages and stages of development.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Potentially hazardous items are accessible to the children in the bathroom however overall the premises are safe and free from hazards. Children are also gently reminded to adhere to ground rules within the childminder's home and follow simple road safety when they are on trips reinforcing ways that they can keep themselves safe. The childminder has devised systems that further promote the children's safety, such as sound collection procedures and an emergency evacuation drill. However, she has not practised the drill with the children, meaning they are not familiar with the procedure to follow if they have to leave the home in an emergency.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's wellbeing is promoted as the childminder is confident of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what action to take if she has concerns about a child in her care. She has a clear policy in place that informs parents of her responsibilities to prioritise the children's welfare, enabling her to act in the child’s best interests if she has concerns about their care.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are relaxed and settled in the childminder's home. The childminder spends time with parents initially to gather information so that the children’s needs are catered for. Children form warm relationships with the childminder and enjoy her friendly, relaxed manner. They are comfortable in her home and confidently select toys for themselves and choose the activities that they wish to take part in. They enjoy the freedom they receive to explore and develop their own games and are well supported by the childminder to extend their play.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have accessibility to a sufficient range of resources. For example, older children play with board games and creative materials, and watch a small amount of television, after school. Children develop confidence and self esteem because the childminder offers adequate praise and encouragement. For example, the childminder spends time after school praising their drawings, reading and helping them with their spellings.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are suitably recorded. The childminder demonstrates a reasonable awareness of equal opportunities issues ensuring the children are included and their individual needs met. Children's knowledge and understanding of differences within their wider society is promoted through access to resources such as puzzles, books, and small world toys.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses appropriate strategies for managing children's behaviour and helping children to understand right from wrong. Children behave well and are learning to play co-operatively and to take turns. They respond well to the childminder's calm manner when reminding them of the behaviour boundaries within the home.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder helps children to settle by asking parents for appropriate information concerning their child’s routine and individual needs. This guarantees that she has a sound knowledge of the each child’s individual needs and this contributes to the children’s wellbeing while in her care. Daily feedback about their child’s day keeps parents adequately informed and helps to provide children with continuity of care.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are relaxed and confident in the childminder's care.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder ensures that her first aid training is kept current. Children benefit from the childminder’s appropriate vetting procedures and her safely managed documentation.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder has compiled an adequate file of useful information to share with parents. It ensures parents are sufficiently informed about her childminding service. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

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

p.4

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): • promote healthy eating through providing a range of healthy food options for children • ensure that risk assessment is completed and implemented effectively in the bathroom and devise, and regularly practise, a suitable emergency evacuation procedure

p.5

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

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.5