Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY365491 Unique Reference Number 08 July 2008 Inspection date Anahita Aderianwalla 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 husband, two adult and two school age children. They live in a terraced house in the N8 area of the London borough of Haringey. The whole of the ground floor and two bedrooms on the upper floors are used for childminding. A garden is available for outdoor play and the family have a pet dog. The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years and is currently minding eight children on a part time basis throughout the week. The childminder takes children on outings to local shops, the park and library.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about the importance of hygiene, as they are encouraged to wash their hands with liquid soap before eating, after going to the toilet and after art and craft activities. All children have individual towels that they dry their hands with, ensuring they are protected from cross infection. The childminder is a positive role model, as she uses spray disinfectant to clean items and areas, such as the toys and small child sized table after a cooking activity. Children

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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 receive appropriate and consistent care if they are unwell or injured, from a caring childminder. She has completed a first aid training course and a first aid box is regularly checked to ensure that the contents of it are replaced when needed. There is an effective sickness exclusion policy in place, to help to prevent the spread of infection. Good systems are in place to record medication administered and accidents that occur, which require counter-signatures and dates by the childminder and parents. The childminder has gained written permissions from parents for emergency treatment to be administered. However, she has not obtained permission to provide emergency medical treatment for one child in her care and this does not ensure all that children receive appropriate treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

There is an enclosed garden with a patio and grassed area, which enables children to receive plenty of fresh air and physical exercise. Resources and activities available to them include a large pop up tent, hoops, bikes, bat and balls. Children thoroughly enjoy exercise outside. For example, they squeal with delight as they do roly polys and star jumps on a soft mat, while being fully supported by the childminder. The childminder also takes the children for trips out to town, to a café or the park, library and for walks around the local area.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to eat a healthy diet, as the childminder prepares healthy fruit snacks and lunches with fresh vegetables. Fresh drinking water is available throughout the day to ensure that children are hydrated. The childminder is aware of children's dietary requirements, including any allergies, as she discusses these with parents on induction to ensure that all children's preferences and health and cultural needs are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home is clean, warm and child-friendly. It is well ventilated, whilst also being at an appropriate temperature. All parents and children are greeted at the door and children quickly settle into the routine of the day. Children have sufficient space to move around safely, as they play either within the house or in the enclosed garden area. Children have access to toys and equipment that are suitable for their age and stage of development. They are in excellent condition, posing no safety risk to them. The childminder has put adequate precautions in place to minimise safety risks to children. For example, a fire blanket and smoke alarms are in place in case of an emergency, and dangerous substances are stored out of children's reach. The childminder ensures that written permissions for outings are gained from parents beforehand.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibility to safeguard children from harm. She knows the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child or receives allegations against herself.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive in an environment that offers flexible care tailored to their personal needs. Stimulating and varied activities, both inside and outside the home, are provided that help the children develop and progress in all areas. They learn a great deal about the world around them and enjoy acting out everyday activities with each other, such as going shopping. Children are encouraged to set up their own activities by the extremely attentive and supportive childminder.

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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 The children have access to a vast array of regularly rotated toys and activities from which they can freely choose. The childminder offers children many activities to fully stimulate their inquisitive minds. For example, children make banana muffins, create very impressive displays of their own work on themes, such as spring and growing things. The childminder's daily plan is particularly flexible to allow all activities to be child lead and to allow spontaneous play to develop every day. The childminder encourages strong relationships between the children in her care. Children are allowed to fully immerse themselves in an excellent range of creative tasks, including messy play, painting and collage making. Children talk confidently about topics that involve learning about life cycles. For example, the childminder has a water tray in the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

garden with tadpoles and frogs, which the children have thoroughly enjoyed investigating.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder arranges a number of well prepared outings to increase the already strong range of experiences for children. On visits to the park the childminder will take a picnic, balls and games to make the day an outdoor treat. Children are inquisitive and the childminder indulges their natural curiosity through an intuitive range of questions and varied discussions. Quiet times are included in their busy day, when they can rest and relax looking at books or listening to stories, before engaging in further, more energetic, activities. The childminder is extremely skilled at developing individual children's knowledge and understanding through discussions, play and effectively meeting their individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individuality and diversity are respected. The childminder ensures that their needs are met in an inclusive environment. She discusses similarities and differences with the children in her care, emphasising the need to treat everyone with equal concern. They learn to value individual and cultural differences through additional aids, such as books about race or disability. Children are nurtured in a loving environment. The child present during the inspection was observed to be settled and content, enjoying a warm relationship with the childminder and responding to her gentle manner and copious praise for all their efforts. Children learn about right and wrong, responding well to directions from the childminder, as she clearly explains, for example, how to treat and respect toys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are included in their children's development, as the childminder operates an open communication system, including providing parents with daily verbal and written feedback. This includes information on activities a child has participated in, rest and meals eaten. Before children start, the childminder discusses her policies and procedures with parents, as well as parents providing the childminder with information on the child's individual needs, such as any allergies, particular likes and dislikes, which are written on child information sheets.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are no children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities on roll, but good systems are in place to allow all children to be included and supported.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a qualified and experienced childminder, who is committed to constantly improving her practice, by attending relevant training courses. Children's care is underpinned by all the required documentation, as well as written policies and procedures being in place, which are shared effectively with parents, to ensure that children's care is always consistent.

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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 Space and resources are carefully organised, to provide a safe, attractive and child-friendly environment, and a wide range of interesting activities. Activities are regularly rotated to provide children with a variety. Ratio requirements are met for the number of children registered for. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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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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): • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment for all children

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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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