Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY347093 Unique Reference Number 03 June 2008 Inspection date Kelly Eyre 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 was registered in 2007. She lives with her partner, one adult child and two younger children aged four and three in Enfield, Middlesex. The whole of the first floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there are two second floor bedrooms available for children to have undisturbed rest. Children have access to the fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five during the day. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group. The family has one dog and goldfish.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's physical development is promoted because they participate in a wide variety of activities. They are offered regular opportunities for outdoor exercise and fresh air through

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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 the use of local parks and the garden. For example, they are able to develop skills such as balance, control and co-ordination as they push and pull toys, run, skip and crawl. They are able to develop skills in finer movements and hand-eye co-ordination through their participation in a wide variety of activities and play opportunities. For example, young children manipulate shapes to fit them into a shape sorter and turn knobs and buttons on activity toys.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is well promoted because there are good daily hygiene procedures. For example, the changing mat is thoroughly cleaned between each use and children wash their hands before snacks and meals. They are gaining a good understanding of the relevance of these practices through discussions with the childminder. A range of practical policies, including information about the exclusion of children who are unwell, further promotes children's good health and help to minimise the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are met as the childminder keeps a clear record of any issues such as allergies and special diets. Their health and development are promoted as the childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating. Sample menu plans demonstrate that children are consistently offered a balanced range of healthy and nutritious foods. Children's overall health and physical development are further promoted because the childminder keeps clear records of all health needs, records accidents and medication accurately and ensures that she keeps up to date with first aid training.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children's safety is consistently promoted to an exceptionally high standard because the childminder has an excellent understanding of this area. Risks of accidental injury are minimised or removed because she is extremely vigilant and has paid attention to every area of her work. For example, children practise the emergency evacuation procedure regularly and there are additional procedures in place to cover other emergencies such as accidents, sand-pit safety and national emergencies. This area is further supported because the childminder has completed comprehensive risk assessments on all areas and regularly reviews these and all safety policies. Children are gaining an excellent understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe. They consistently practise safety issues, such as road safety, and the childminder reinforces their understanding in this area by using creative activity packs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a stimulating, welcoming environment. There are displays of their work and a multitude of highly appropriate posters and displays, textured items to explore, mirrors and other stimulatory resources. They have access to an extensive range of high quality equipment and play resources which is appropriate to their ages and stages of development. This is exceptionally well organised and stored in containers which are readily accessible and labelled with both pictures and words, thus promoting children's independent choice about their play and activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is very well promoted because the childminder has a comprehensive understanding of issues relating to safeguarding children. She has attended recent training in order to keep up to date with all current procedures and practice. All paperwork and records are in place to enable her to record, report and monitor any issues. Information is provided for parents so that they are fully aware of the childminder's responsibilities in this area.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and settled, happily choosing toys and organising their play and activities. They feel welcome and have secure relationships with the childminder because she shows them that she genuinely enjoys their company, joining in with their play and discussions. This area is further supported by good settling-in procedures, ensuring that the childminder is aware of children's normal routines, behaviour, likes and dislikes and can, therefore, provide appropriate care and activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's individual development is promoted because the childminder carries out comprehensive assessments of their activities and progress. These are linked to the areas of learning and to the 'Birth to three matters' framework, with the next developmental steps planned and incorporated into future activity plans. Children's development and confidence are further promoted because the childminder makes good decisions about when to intervene in their play. For example, young children are allowed plenty of time to explore a farm animal activity centre before the childminder shows them how to turn the knobs and encourages them to make the sounds of the animals as they pop up.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's overall development is promoted because the childminder plans in advance to ensure that they are offered a consistent routine and a wide range of play opportunities and activities. For example, children enjoy attending toddler group, playing in the garden, participating in craft activities and visiting local wildlife parks, indoor play areas and the farm. Their learning is extended because the childminder has attended additional training and has put together written guidance to support learning through play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminder's good relationships with parents. Practical written information and good settling-in procedures ensure that they are clear about the childminder's practice and her policies and procedures. They are kept well informed of their children's progress and activities through daily discussions with the childminder. Although there are no children currently attending who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities, the childminder has some practical experience in this area and would work closely with parents. She is therefore able to provide appropriate care which takes account of children's needs and developmental stages and includes them in all activities and daily routines.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individuality is respected and their self-esteem promoted because the childminder has a good understanding of the concept of equal opportunities. She ensures that she is aware of children's varying needs and is able to meet these consistently. Children's behaviour is good and they listen carefully to the childminder. They are offered clear explanations, enabling them to think about their behaviour and start to take responsibility for this. Daily practice in this area is further supported by practical house rules and a comprehensive behaviour management policy, ensuring a consistent approach.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are offered some opportunities to build up their awareness of other lifestyles and the diversities of society. They enjoy looking at books and discussing different cultures and traditions. They also have daily access to play items such as role play resources, which give positive images and information about other ways of life. However, their understanding of this area is not fully promoted as they are not consistently offered associated activities. They are

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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 building up their knowledge about their community through the use of local facilities such as the toddler group, shops and the park.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Overall, children's needs are met. They benefit from the childminder's positive attitude to attending further training and to regularly reviewing her work, enabling her to make sure that she is up to date with current policy and is able to provide appropriate care for all children. Childminding practice is further supported by the daily implementation of clear policies, ensuring that children are offered consistent care and that parents are aware of expectations and of the childminder's daily procedures and routines.

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Organisation

Children's ongoing safety and welfare are consistently promoted because the childminder ensures that they are protected and are only cared for by herself. This area is further promoted because the childminder has gathered information relating to the National Standards and uses this as a way of reviewing her continuing suitability. Records and paperwork are very well organised and are stored confidentially. This is further supported by a confidentiality policy, ensuring that children are protected and parents are aware of records kept and their right to access these.

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Organisation

The childminder pays close attention to the organisation of all areas of her work, thus enhancing children's daily care. This attention to detail helps to ensure that children are always offered a balanced range of opportunities. For example, they have time to participate in structured activities, to choose their own activities and play independently and to play with their peers at toddler group.

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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 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): • continue to develop an appropriate range of activities which promotes equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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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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