Roman Way Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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147008 Unique Reference Number 26 September 2005 Inspection date Gulnaz Hassan 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 1987. She lives with her husband and two adult daughters in the London Borough of Barnet. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding eight children, under five, all on a part-time basis. The childminder runs a local parent and toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with special needs. She is a member of an approved childminding network and she is an area co-ordinator for childminders. The childminder has completed the Developing Childminding Practice course.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a clean and tidy environment. Children learn about good hygiene practices as the childminder gives good explanations to children about why it is important to wash their hands before having something to eat. Children's welfare in the event of an accident or sudden illness is ensured as the childminder has developed good procedures to follow. Children's physical health needs are met well. Children enjoy lots of physical activity and play at local parks and in the garden where the childminder has a variety of outdoor play equipment for children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy eating healthy nutritious meals that ensure that their individual dietary and cultural needs are met. Children are developing good eating habits as the childminder talks to children about eating healthily whilst she ensures that snacks and other meals meet their growing needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy playing and learning comfortably as the childminder has maximised her space creatively and is using her home to its full potential to accommodate the needs of individual children. Children are relaxed, happy and warmly welcomed by the childminder who offers a warm and caring environment for children. Children use a wide range of good quality toys and resources appropriate to their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well cared for in a safe and secure environment. The premises are very secure and there are good procedures in place, such as risk assessments for the home and when going out that help to minimise risks to children. Children practise the emergency evacuation procedures on a regular basis with the childminder. This helps them become familiar with the routine in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and their well-being promoted as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and knows how to proceed if she has concerns about children in her care. This ensures that children are not at risk and that they are protected well from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and happy to attend because the childminder gives them her time and attention and she offers children a secure routine where their individuality and personal needs are valued. Children are confident within the environment and benefit from good relationships with the 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 Children show good interest in the wide range of developmentally appropriate play equipment, which are very well varied, of good quality and help to maintain their interests. Children's language and communication skills are supported well through talking, singing and playing. Children enjoy looking at books with the childminder and are learning to handle books independently. Children are taken out on trips within the local community and to local toddler groups where children are given opportunities to join in and contribute to group play in order to further develop their social skills. The childminder is keen to obtain the Birth to Three Matters framework in order to improve children's achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are developing a strong sense of belonging and good self-esteem, they are learning about their own and others needs through the childminder who respects children's individual needs. Children have access to a small range of resources that reflect positive images of most aspects of society. This means children are learning to acknowledge and accept differences in themselves and each other. The childminder ensures that she knows about children's needs with regard to religion and culture so she can meet children's needs and help them acknowledge their own culture and see it as important.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with special needs are cared for exceedingly well. The childminders considerable observation, monitoring and recording skills have been valuable in recognising significant health conditions in children, this has enabled children to receive help and care from other agencies.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and they are encouraged to be polite and considerate to each other. The childminder has developed very good strategies that help children to avoid conflict and help them to understand right from wrong. Children learn important social skills such as sharing, taking turns and listening to each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit well from good partnerships between the childminder and their parents. Extremely good levels of communication encourage trust and positive relationships, ensuring that children feel settled and secure. Diaries for children record progress and development and ensure that children are being cared for consistently according to parents wishes. Daily two-way feedback between parents and the childminder and weekly activity reports further ensure that children are receiving continuity of care and give parents an insight into their children's care and activities in the setting. Written information about the childminding service is available to parents in the form of a regularly updated booklet.

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Organisation

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

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Organisation

Children benefit from a very well-organised environment where they receive good support for their care and learning needs from the childminder who helps children to feel secure and confident. Children's care and learning needs are met very well by the childminder who ensures

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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 that she attends training and a variety of child care courses regularly so that she remains informed of current child care practice.

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Organisation

Children's needs are met exceptionally well as documentation and records required for the safe and effective care of children are detailed and extensive, contributing to the welfare of the children. Relevant information is shared with parents and records are regularly updated to ensure that children's needs are being met. A very good selection of policies and procedures is available and these are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made mostly good improvements to the provision since the last inspection. The childminder was asked to make sure that children have access to toys and resources that reflect positive images of disability, to ensure that records of medicines administered to children include parents signature, to provide a smoke alarm and to provide children with opportunities to use their own initiative and express their creativity freely.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has taken positive steps obtain parental signatures for records of medication administered and to fit a smoke alarm. Children have good opportunities to develop their creativity and use their own initiative. The childminder is continuing to develop her resources to reflect positive images of disability.

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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 resources that reflect positive images of disability and 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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