Al-Khair School Preparatory School

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 147184 Inspection date 23/03/2009 Inspector Siobhan O'Callaghan

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Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in December 1992. She lives with her husband and their two adult children in Finchley, North London. The home is close to local shops, schools and parks. The family live in a first floor duplex-maisonette which is accessed by 12 steps leading into the property. The childminder utilises all areas of the ground floor of her home for childminding purposes and the children have access to the upstairs bathroom and one bedroom, which is utilised for sleeping babies. The childminder uses the local parks and playground facilities to offer children outdoor play opportunities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register to provide care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time. She is currently caring for three children in the early years age group and three children in the later years age group. All children attend on a part time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. She attends local toddler groups and childminding support groups alongside running her own toddler group every Thursday. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder is a trained childminding mentor; this role involves her in supporting newly registered childminders.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides a welcoming and inclusive home environment for children where they are all supported to make good progress in their learning and development. Valuable partnerships with parents further supports the childminder in meeting the individual needs of children as their welfare and personal safety is given due emphasis. The childminder demonstrates a positive commitment to continuous improvement as she keeps her knowledge and skills within early years up-to-date. She has developed many worthwhile systems to self-evaluate her provision.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 improve information for parents by ensuring that have the registration details of the emergency back-up childminder  develop ways in which parents are supported and encouraged to contribute to their children’s assessment records.

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provision

The childminder is an experienced early years practitioner with a secure knowledge and understanding of how young children learn and develop. She has devised good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 quality documentation, policies and procedures to support the safe and efficient management of her childminding business. She maintains thorough risk assessments of her home to ensure that potential hazards to children are minimised. The childminder has in place detailed risk assessments for all the outings that children are involved in, she ensures that they are under her direct supervision at all times. The childminder has in place effective procedures for emergency back-up should she become unwell or need additional support. Parents are informed of the emergency childminders' names and contact details although as yet they do not have their Ofsted registration details which would enable them

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provision

to access their last report and make an informed choice about the emergency back-up provision. The childminder is able to protect children from harm or neglect as she a secure understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and of her responsibility to work in partnership with parents and outside agencies to keep children safe.

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provision

The childminder provides a warm, comfortable and child friendly home environment for children. She competently organises her resources to ensure that children can develop their independence and make choices about their play. She effectively manages her time and routines to support children's individual needs. This is further supported by her close working partnerships with parents which in turn enables her to discuss and follow children's established routines from home, thus, they receive secure and continuous care. The childminder provides parents with good quality information about the early years provision. Parents are well informed about their children’s achievements and progress as the childminder maintains detailed daily information sheets for each child to record all aspects of their welfare. Alongside these are bright assessment folders which are complimented by photographs of the children at play and displays of their artwork.

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provision

However, parents are yet to be involved in contributing towards their children's assessment records to ensure that this is a shared process. It is evident that parents are very happy with the care their children receive through their positive comments which have been shared in the childminder's compliments diary. Parents comments include: "The childminder provides a loving environment, secure, safe and welcoming" and "The childminder is sensitive to the needs of all children, she understands how a child's mind works and is intuitive about their needs. This means that children are happy and active and well cared for."

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a commitment to providing good quality care and education for children. She is keen to develop her knowledge and skills through attending relevant and valuable training opportunities. Since her last inspection she has effectively addressed the two recommendations raised around documentation. Her policies for safeguarding and sickness are now in place and are shared with parents before their children are cared for in the provision. She has begun to develop her practice through self-evaluation and with this has enthusiastically taken on board the new learning and development requirements within the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. She has developed systems to consistently plan and monitor children's learning to ensure that they are being challenged and stimulated. Thus, improvements have a positive impact on the overall quality of the early years provision and the outcomes for children.

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provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have good opportunities to learn and develop through well planned activities and experiences that interest them and thus motivate them to learn. The childminder continually monitors children's progress through her observations of their learning and linking these into the early years curriculum to ensure that they are receiving a balanced range of experiences. Her secure knowledge and understanding of the early learning goals and how to implement these within her daily routines and through children's self-initiated play supports her in promoting positive outcomes for children. For example, whilst children enjoy playing with the cars the childminder sensitively encourages them to observe their different colours, shapes and sizes. The children respond well to these challenges and are delighted to share their knowledge. They are developing problem solving skills as the childminder sits with them and supports them to build tracks for their trains.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are becoming increasingly independent as they move around and access their environment confidently. They are keen to try new experiences and attempt to complete puzzles on their own. They are delighted when they receive lots of praise from the childminder for doing so well.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have many opportunities to engage within a range of purposeful play and exploration both in and out of doors. They enjoy regular visits to local toddler groups where they meet and socialise with children of a similar age. Children visit the local library and soft play provisions where they can participate in both quiet and energetic sessions. The childminder plans a balance of adult-led and child-led activities which in turn supports children to learn to work cooperatively whilst also learning how to initiate their own ideas and thus become active learners. For example, young children are adamant that they are going to learn how to do up their own safety harness on their highchair. The childminder patiently allows the children to consolidate their learning as she sits and quietly supports and praises them as they continue to do the catch up several times. They are delighted with their achievements. Children happily share stories with the childminder, she

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

continually supports their language and communication as she encourages them to participate. She praises children's contributions to the stories as they mimic the sounds of the animals that they can see.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is successfully promoted through the childminder's effective policies and procedures which help to keep them safe and healthy. Children develop an understanding of dangers and how to stay safe as they learn how to cross the roads safely when they are out walking in the local community. The childminder teaches children about clear and safe boundaries so that they know what is and is not acceptable behaviour. Children learn to understand and adopt healthy habits, such as good hygiene practices through the childminder's positive role models. They have their own individual flannels which they can access in the bathroom. Children are presented with healthy food options which are currently provided by their parents. The childminder closely liaises with parents to discuss any food intolerances or allergies that may need to be monitored. Overall, children are extremely cooperative as they learn responsible behaviour; they help to tidy

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

resources and enjoy the independence of feeding themselves. Children receive warm and consistent praise which supports their self-esteem. They have a sense of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 belonging as the childminder displays photographs of them within her home and shares their bright photographic assessments with them and their parents. Children's home backgrounds are fully included within the setting alongside the opportunities to learn about other cultures and traditions which are explored within practical activities. Overall, the childminder is setting secure foundations for their future learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

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Detail of the complaint/s

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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