Stamford Welland Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 137600 Inspection date 31 October 2005 Inspector Bharti Vakil

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1983. She lives with her husband and school aged two children in Neasden in the London Borough of Brent. The ground floor used for childminding includes the through lounge, the toilet and the conservatory; the kitchen is inaccessible to children. One bedroom on the first floor is used with supervision, two other bedrooms and the bathroom are inaccessible to children. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She may work with an assistant. The registration does not include overnight care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Currently there are five children on roll. During the inspection three children were present of whom two are under 3 years old. The family has two dogs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is well promoted as the childminder sustains good levels of hygiene. They learn about the importance of covering their mouths when coughing, washing their hands before meals and after using the toilet. Children are protected from unnecessary illness as they do not attend if they have an infection. Their welfare is protected because the childminder has implemented sound procedures for accidents and medication. However, the medication record lacks some required details. Children benefit from regular outdoor exercise as they enjoy playing in the garden. For example, they thoroughly enjoy playing with pull along and push along toys and riding trikes, which helps improve their physical skills. They have fun at the local park and toddler groups as they have opportunities to explore a wider range of physical activities. This helps children to gain control over their bodies and develop balance.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of freshly prepared and nutritionally balanced snacks and meals, which are provided to meet their individual dietary requirements. They are fed in warm and relaxed surroundings where they are able to sit and eat comfortably. Children are able to access drinking water at any time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a bright, warm and welcoming home. They are relaxed as space has been organised to meet their individual needs appropriately. They are able to explore and move around safely because the childminder has minimised potential risks. The childminder offers clear explanations about keeping safe. Children are learning to take responsibility of keeping safe indoors as well as on the regular outings. Children independently select from a wide range of toys and resources, which are well organised and stored at low level. This encourages children's interest to play and learn. Children have suitable access to furniture and equipment to meet their needs. For example, a travel cot is provided if a young child needs a rest and at meal times a high chair is available for use. The childminder has the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, the childminder has a

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

sound understanding of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child, in

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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 line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy very warm and secure relationship with the childminder, which enables them to extend their learning in a supportive and caring environment. They are very curious and play enthusiastically with the wide range of activities offered. The childminder is aware of children's likes and dislikes and spends plenty of quality time talking and responding extremely well to the children's individual needs. Children develop their vocabulary as the childminder asks them questions and encourages conversation. This also helps them to think and make sense of the world they live in. Children enjoy listening attentively to a range of stories and looking at books. They thoroughly enjoy singing action rhymes. For example, the children giggle as they sing 'ten little monkeys jumping on the bed' and are delighted as they imitate actions of the childminder singing along 'wheels on the bus go round and round'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They are developing good hand eye coordination as they practise their early writing skills when they draw, paint and chalk. Children learn about shape and space as they play with shape sorters and fit puzzles. They compare the childminder's big hand with their small as they trace around their hands. This enables children to develop their mathematical skills. Children are learning about their environment as they feed the ducks, visit the garden centre to watch the turtles and talk about being kind to animals. Children are in awe of seeing a spider on the ceiling as the childminder is spontaneous in encouraging observation, expressions and acceptance. The childminder takes opportunity to extend children's learning by drawing their attention to the TV programme about spiders which was coincidently on at the same time. As a result children watch it with great attention and interest. The children enjoy regular trips to child friendly settings such as the library, local

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

parks and toddler groups. This provides many good learning experiences for them. They are making good progress in all areas of their development as the childminder has a very good understanding of how children learn and develop through play and having fun. Children involve the childminder in their play and they receive lots of warm, individual attention. This enables them to successfully extend their learning experiences, in a supportive stimulating environment. Children's feeling of being secure is enhanced as the childminder provides the daily routine that is familiar. This provides a stable environment that helps children to look forward to their day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very comfortable and content because they are valued and respected as

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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 individuals. The childminder meets the needs of children by seeking information from the children and their parents about the child's likes and dislikes and getting to know the child. The daily exchange of information with parents about their children's routine, activities and achievements ensures to help children receive consistent care and make progress. There is no system in place to maintain a complaints record in line with the revised criteria to the National Standards for childminding. Children's awareness of diversity is increasing as they enjoy easy access to a good selection of books and play materials promoting positive images of the diversity. Children have good opportunities to learn about the world they live in as they celebrate festival and sample food from different cultures. Children's emotional

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Helping children make a positive contribution

well-being is supported effectively, giving them confidence and security due to childminder's good understanding of their personal preferences. Children are learning right from wrong and they are well behaved as the childminder uses age appropriate management behaviour strategies which are consistently applied. They are encouraged to share and to have regard for one another. Children are learning what is and is not acceptable and parents are well informed about the childminder's written behaviour management policy.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare, care and development are very well met as the childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of caring for young children. She is well organised, warm and affectionate towards the children who are relaxed and very happy in her care. The childminder is keen to develop her knowledge and skills to benefit the children, for example by attending Birth to Three Matters framework training and validating her first aid certificate. All relevant paperwork is maintained. Children's overall care, learning and welfare are enhanced by the information shared between parents and the childminder. As a result they are happy and feel safe and secure. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to send back completed health declaration to Ofsted. The childminder addressed this and she remains suitably qualified to work with children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The childminder is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they

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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 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): • ensure the medication entries include the required details including the dosage and times • ensure there is a system in place to investigate complaints and maintain a record in order to share it with parents

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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