Abbeys Middle School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 128327 Inspection date 19 September 2005 Inspector Mary Holt

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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 has been registered since 1983. She lives with her adult family in a terrace house situated in a residential area of the London Borough of Redbridge. The premises are within easy access of local schools, public transport, shops, parks and local community resources. All areas of the property are used for childminding .There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family do not have any pets. The childminder is registered to care for 6 children aged under 8 years at any one

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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 time. She is currently caring for three children; two three-year-olds and a seven year old. All children are cared for on a part-time basis during term time, and on a full time basis during school holidays. The two three-year-old children were present during the inspection visit.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, warm and welcoming childminding home. Their good health is promoted well, for example, medication is stored safely and the childminder has a good up to date knowledge of first aid. The home is maintained to a good standard of hygiene and cleanliness. Children are learning about the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They use the toilet independently, they are encouraged to flush the toilet and wash their hands immediately afterwards. Individual towels are provided for hand drying to help minimise the risk of cross infection. Children are provided with a healthy, well balanced diet that includes snacks of fresh fruit and a variety of low fat/sugar snacks. Older children confidently ask for drinks when they are thirsty and younger children are provided with drinks of milk, water and low sugar juices frequently during the day. The childminder discusses diets with

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Helping children to be healthy

parents and is happy to cater for children's special dietary needs if required. A good range of indoor and outdoor activities are provided and organised for children, these contribute to their physical good health. They walk to the school each day, have regular access to the climbing frame, slide and other outdoor equipment provided at local parks and in the childminder's own back garden. Children are able to have a quiet rest or sleep according to their individual needs; younger children are provided with individual sheets and a blanket, older children have the opportunity to rest at the end of their school day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a secure, mostly safe and child centred environment. Space within the childminder's home is well organised. Children have ample room to play, a quiet place to rest and a comfortable area to enjoy their meals. Daily checks of the garden are undertaken by the childminder and very good supervision of children helps to ensure that they are normally protected from harm. However, it was discovered that the fire blanket was not wall mounted and a smoke alarm is not available on the first floor of the premises as required. The childminder stated that these issues will be rectified immediately. Children have access to a wide range of safe and suitable furniture, toys and

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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 equipment. These items are age appropriate and well organised, for example, small toys are kept out of the reach of young children and the childminder checks her toys frequently to ensure they remain in good condition. Appropriate safety equipment is provided to keep children safe, this includes a stair gate at the foot of the stairs and the front door remains locked to ensure that children are unable to open the door unsupervised. Children are developing an understanding of how to keep themselves safe. The childminder ensures they understand why it is important not to run indoors and the dangers of going into the kitchen when she is cooking. Children are kept safe on outings. They always hold the childminder's hand when out walking and know they must always use appropriate seating aids or restraints when travelling in the car.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Suitable child protection procedures are in place to protect children and make sure that concerns about a child would be dealt with appropriately. The childminder has copies of the local authority child protection procedures and has a good knowledge and understanding of her role and responsibilities. She stated that she would not hesitate to implement these procedures if she was concerned about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled gradually into the childminder’s care to ensure they and their family get to know the childminder well before the placement begins. When the children arrive in the morning they are greeted warmly by the childminder, settle quickly and confidently begin to play. Children's confidence and self esteem is built by the childminder who knows them well and treats them with respect. Children have access to a wide range of good quality play equipment, including toys and books that help them learn about the wider world. The childminder rotates her play equipment regularly to ensure children remain interested and stimulated. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child development. She plans and provides a varied range of interesting indoor and outdoor activities to help children learn and have fun. Children have good opportunities to be creative. They

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

use their imaginations well through role play as they dress up and care for the dolls. Children enjoy regular art and craft activities, regular opportunities for children to enjoy books and stories are good.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their individual needs are well met as they follow their routine established at the childminders home and decide what they would like to eat and drink at snack time. They make themselves at home and confidently choose toys and equipment. Children are learning to share, take turns and co-operate with others. The

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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 childminder is a good role model, she treats children with respect and manages their behaviour in a calm, patient and positive manner. Children are helped to feel good about themselves, the childminder uses praise frequently to reward positive behaviour such as sharing the available activities and taking turns with the garden equipment. Children explore their local community as they enjoy outings to the local park, shops and library. They have good opportunities to learn about the wider world. Children play with a good range of play materials and books designed to increase their awareness of diversity, including dolls, play people and dressing up cloths. A good, effective partnership between the childminder and parents ensures children's care is appropriate and consistent. The childminder shares information and discusses

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the children's progress with parents on a daily basis.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are confident, happy and feel at home in the warm and welcoming childminding environment. The childminder has a great deal of experience, children benefit from her good knowledge of child development. The childminder has a good understanding of the National Standards for Childminding and is clear about her role and responsibility to protect children and provide good quality care. Children also benefit from the childminder's safely managed childminding service and her commitment to further developing her childcare knowledge and skills. All the required documentation is efficiently maintained, well organised, up to date and stored securely. The childminder has a selection of useful information that she shares with parents. This ensures that parents are well informed about her childminding practices. Overall, the needs of all children attending are met well.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The following recommendations were made at the last inspection: To accurately record children's time of arrival and departure, the daily attendance register now records the time of children's arrival and departure in the daily attendance register To use written agreements with parents, written contracts have now been devised and used as a working document between the childminder and parents. Contracts are reviewed on a regular basis.

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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): • improve fire safety precautions by fitting and maintaining a smoke alarm on the first floor, and by ensuring that a fire blanket, which conforms to BS EN standards, is accessible in the kitchen (in this instance the fire blanket is wall mount).

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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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