Clayfield House

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 133119 Inspection date 20/01/2009 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 in a two bedroom maisonette arranged over two floors in a terraced house in the N7 area of the London borough of Islington. The premises are within easy walking distance of Holloway road , Drayton Park and Arsenal train stations. The entrance to the premises is at street level with stairs leading to the first and second floors. All areas of the home are used for childminding with exception of the childminder's bedroom. There are local parks, playgrounds, drop in groups and a library within walking distance.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for no more than five children under eight years of age. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder currently has four children in the early years age group on roll. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children feel very secure in the childminder's care because she gets to know them well as individuals. Strong partnerships have been developed with parents which means there is a good exchange of information on a daily basis. Children are provided with a welcoming environment and receive positive interaction from the childminder. They benefit from a balance of home based and organised group activities to local facilities. The childminder has begun to develop systems to assess and evaluate children's learning although this is not fully operational.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop procedures to ensure that risk assessments are fully implemented both indoors and outdoors  continue to develop systems to plan, monitor and assess children's progress, extend choices of play equipment and fully develop partnership working

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provision

The childminder has a caring but professional approach to childminding. She is kept updated with recent developments in child care by ensuring that she regularly attends courses and workshops, often in the evenings. Although the childminder has not developed formal systems for evaluating her service to identify improvements, the quality of care is likely to continue to improve, as she is aware of the strengths and areas for improvement for her service. Good support systems have been developed through her local childminding network and she is committed to regularly updating her knowledge through further training. She has organised places on further training including a refresher course for child protection. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has well organised record keeping systems to support her service, including a set of comprehensive policies and procedures. These include an

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provision

emergency evacuation procedure, how to make a complaint and a health and safety policy. All necessary documentation is readily available for inspection. Consequently she has written permission for emergency medical treatment for each child and records of how to support each child's individual needs which helps to promote their welfare.

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provision

Children's safety is generally well promoted as effective policies help to promote children's safety within the home. However, the childminder has not developed a formal risk assessment for activities outside the home. Appropriate safety equipment is in place such as safety gates and fire safety equipment. A fire blanket is available in the kitchen and smoke detectors are located on both floors and regularly checked. Children are able to eat comfortably in the kitchen using booster seats, therefore children of all ages can sit together at the table. Locks on cupboards ensure that children are unable to access any dangerous items. Older children are escorted to the bathroom upstairs however, the landing outside the bathroom has not been fully risk assessed and some sockets are uncovered and wires for the computer have not been placed out of reach. Children are learning how to keep safe as they have begun to practise the emergency evacuation

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provision

procedure. Children are protected from harm and abuse because the childminder has a good understanding of what to do if she has concerns about a child.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is currently developing systems for assessing children's progress towards the early learning goals. She knows the children well and is aware of their interests but has not developed formal systems to plan for each child's individual development. Records are in place to record children's starting points. The children have a secure routine as the childminder accesses local facilities to provide a balance of home-based and group activities. The childminder shows interest in the progress of children who attend other settings but has not developed partnerships with other agencies to fully support their development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They are provided with a good selection of play materials and activities inside the home. The childminder balances their day by ensuring they take part in a variety of group activities. They attend music sessions at the local library and drop-in sessions at the local city farm where they sometimes have opportunities to feed the animals. Overall, children access a good range of play materials, an appropriate selection is made available in the play area. The childminder sensitively monitors their play and changes the equipment regularly. However, this means younger children are unable to make wider choices and initiate their own activities as a large selection of equipment is stored in a cupboard. Older children ask the childminder when they would like different activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from the childminder's interest in their play. One child happily This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 completes their favourite puzzles while the childminder sits next to them. The child is comfortable with her and places the more difficult pieces in her hand while working out where the more familiar pieces fit. The child's learning is supported as the childminder reminds them of the colours of fruits and shapes. They are praised as they fit the pieces together and recognise the colours. This helps to promote their self esteem. Children are learning about numbers and letters of the alphabet in everyday activities. The childminder encourages them to count the numbers on the side of the talking bus from one to ten. They enjoy pressing the different buttons on the top of the bus which repeat the names of the shapes. Children's early reading is promoted as they easily access a wide selection of books which are

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

attractively displayed. Older children are supported with their homework as the childminder listens to them read. The childminder is very aware of each child's interests and provides a secure environment where children can repeat their activities until they feel confident to move on. She understands at times, some times children may want to return to activities they may have grown out of, especially if they are feeling sensitive.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has developed an inclusive environment for all families. She is currently developing individual books for each child which have photos of their families and their life outside her setting. She has collected useful information about each child so she can effectively meet their individual needs. The childminder has developed strong relationships with parents and has provided long term care known for some families by caring for younger siblings. Her service is flexible as she drops off and collects some children from other settings. She has also arranged over-night care in emergency situations. Consequently, she aims to meet the varying needs of all families.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health is promoted well by the childminder. They receive a balanced diet including good supplies of fruits and vegetables. Healthy snacks include rice cakes and fruits. Children easily access fresh drinking water as their individual drinks are stored at their level to keep them hydrated. They have opportunities to exercise indoors as they have regular dancing sessions and have access to physical play equipment at their drop-in sessions. 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 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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