St Peter's CofE Primary 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 133265 Inspection date 23/02/2009 Inspector Liz Corr

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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 2000. She lives with her husband, who is also registered as her assistant, and her two children, aged nine and 13 years. They live in a four-bedroom house in the N7 area of the London Borough of Islington, close to parks and local drop-in groups. Children access the play room, kitchen and toilet on the ground floor and the living room and spare bedroom on the first floor. A fully enclosed garden is also available to children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of an approved childminding network.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and secure in the care of the childminder. They receive a good balance of home based and group activities. The childminder is developing her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage to monitor the children's achievements. Some training has been undertaken since the last inspection and the childminder has developed support systems through her local childminding network. Effective arrangements for sharing information with parents on a daily basis help to ensure children receive consistent care.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve documentation systems by providing confidential recording systems for complaints and ensuring that permission is provided for all children for emergency medical treatment and advice  continue to develop knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance to record children's starting points, plan, monitor and assess their progress, provide suitable activities and resources to promote their development, and fully develop partnership working  improve safety by updating the child protection procedure with the latest guidance, risk assessing outings and ensuring that strip lighting bulbs are appropriately covered  develop a culture of reflective practice and self-evaluation. To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 review the organisation of the premises to ensure that space requirements are met and children are 20/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 appropriately supervised (Organisation)

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provision

Most required documentation and policies are in place. Individual records are kept for each child to enable the childminder to meet their individual needs. However, the childminder has not requested written permission from all parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and the child protection procedure has not been updated with the latest guidance. The childminder has addressed areas of improvement from the last inspection. Improvements have been made for recording children's attendance and an increase in her range of resources to promote inclusion. However, the childminder has not developed secure systems to self-evaluate her practice to identify further improvements. The childminder has access to secure support systems through her local childminding network and attends regular training sessions to update her childcare knowledge.

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provision

The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues and is aware of the importance of reporting any concerns. Although she has a child protection procedure in place, this is not in line with the current regulatory framework. The childminder has an effective risk assessment in place for her home to minimise risks to children. However, the strip light in the play room is not appropriately covered. Safety gates and fire safety equipment are in place, including a fire blanket and smoke alarms. Children are learning to keep safe as they regularly practise the emergency evacuation procedure. In addition the childminder has sought advice from the local fire service to further promote fire safety. The childminder is aware of potential hazards on outings, however, she has not developed a full risk assessment for each outing.

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provision

The childminder interacts well with the children, playing at their level and responding to their needs. Young children access a playroom on the ground floor. Although the room has been made welcoming with an appropriate supply of play materials, it does not meet the space requirements for the numbers of children registered. Consequently, children have limited space to explore and play freely in this area of the home.

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provision

The childminder has a good working relationship with parents. She communicates with them in a variety of ways to keep them updated of their child's progress. For example, through telephone calls, text messages and emails. Parents are provided with a daily diary which records useful information about their child's day. Feedback forms and thank-you cards confirm they are pleased with the care their children receive. Parents are provided with clear information about the complaints procedure. However, systems for confidential recording of complaints have not been devised. 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

The childminder has established warm and caring relationships with the children. They are happy and confident in her care. They enjoy making choices from the appropriate selection of play equipment. Their enjoyment is enhanced as the childminder sits at their level and shows interest in their play. When young children point to the animals in the posters on the wall, the childminder repeats the names of the animals and talks about the noises they make. Children enjoy repeating the noises with her. The childminder knows the children well and quickly understands their gestures when they want something out of reach. She supports their evolving language as she verbally acknowledges what they are asking for. Young babies are provided with a range of resources to help them explore and develop their curiosity. However, this has not been fully developed for all children under three years. The childminder is developing her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Stage. Children are provided with an appropriate range of activities to help them make progress towards the early learning goals. Details are recorded of their individual health and background details, however, the childminder is not recording their developmental starting points. Parents are regularly provided with evidence of children's progress through artwork and photographs of their achievements. The childminder is developing her systems for observing and assessing children's development. However, she has not developed systems for encouraging parents to continue children's learning at home and for sharing information with professionals at other settings children attend.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have a good balance of home based and group activities. They regularly attend a variety of drop-in groups, including the local library and the city farm. The childminder has some strategies in place to promote inclusion as she provides a welcoming environment for all children. They learn about the wider world during cultural celebrations at local drop-in groups and access a selection of play materials with positive images of diversity. Children who speak English as an additional language receive some support as the childminder encourages parents to provide a basic list of words in their home language.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's good health is promoted as they play in a clean environment and are protected from the risk of cross-infection. The childminder promotes hygienic practises for nappy changing and hand washing. Dietary needs are recorded at the beginning of their placement and are adhered to. Regular outings to parks provide children with fresh air and exercise. A sickness procedure is shared with parents to ensure children are cared for at home if they are unwell. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate which means children receive appropriate treatment if they have an accident or become unwell at the setting. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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 since the last inspection.

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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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