Walker, Ann Marie

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY304535 Inspection date 09 November 2005 Inspector Gabrielle Pollock

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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 satisfactory. 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 2005. She lives with her adult son and two younger children aged 13 and 10 in Tottenham in the London borough of Haringey. The sitting-room, kitchen and children's bedroom of the childminder's first floor flat floor are used for childminding. She takes children to the local carer and toddler group, parks and library. There are currently three children on roll.

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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 The childminder supports children for whom English is an additional language. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean environment where the risk of cross-infection is minimised by appropriate hygiene practices such as hand washing, and good nappy changing procedures. Children are becoming independent and learning about hygiene through everyday routines for example washing their own hands with support or wiping or sweeping up after themselves. Children's continuity of care is supported well by the childminder as she has details of their individual health and dietary needs. The childminder is first aid trained and she is aware of procedures to follow should a child become ill in her care. Systems are in place for the recording of accidents and these are shared with parents. Children are generally well nourished because the childminder respects parental wishes and meets any dietary needs. She appropriately stores and serves the food provided by parents. However children's understanding of the benefits of a healthy

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Helping children to be healthy

diet are limited as the childminder does not promote water effectively and children are not encouraged to make choices from a variety of healthy options. Warm, trusting relationships ensure young children feel secure. The childminder follows children's individual routines for eating and sleeping. This ensures continuity of care and contributes to emotional wellbeing. Young children engage in a range of indoor physical activities, for example, dancing to music. Their physical skills are further developed through use of equipment at local carer and toddler groups and they have opportunities of fresh air on trips to the park.

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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 generally safe and secure home where most risks are identified and minimised, however fire equipment was not appropriately maintained, resulting in children’s safety being compromised. Children are able to move around freely and safely as a result of good supervision levels being implemented. However lack of age appropriate accessible toys or equipment for younger children limits their ability to choose their own play materials and develop independence at mealtimes.

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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 Children are further protected as the childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and is clear on the procedures to follow should she be concerned.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. An established stable routine helps children to feel a sense of security and settle quickly in the care of the childminder. Children receive good support and comfort from the childminder as she spends time playing and talking to them about what they are doing, for example when completing a puzzle or dancing to music. This helps them to feel happy in her care. They are making satisfactory progress because the childminder provides a number of interesting activities outside the home, for example the park, local drop-ins or the library which develops their socialising and extends their play experiences. However children are not given sufficient challenges and limited opportunities are available to explore imaginative, construction or natural resources within the home, which limits their learning, exploration of the world around them and different textures. Children's self-esteem is good as the childminder praises their efforts and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a sound understanding of equality issues. Children are treated with equal concern and are given individual attention according to their needs, for example, when settling to sleep and their dietary requirements. Children are valued and respected as individuals and their needs are met well as the childminder works closely with parents to ensure their normal daily routines of eating, sleeping and playing are followed. Children play happily alongside each other because of the childminder's positive attitude towards inclusion. Group games and sharing are positively encouraged and children with special needs are welcomed. Children behave well because the childminder has a gentle and consistent approach to behaviour management that takes account of their age and stage of development. Children learn to respect each other as the childminder encourages them through

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Helping children make a positive contribution

examples of positive behaviour and giving praise.

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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 Children receive good support from the childminder. She interacts positively with them and knows them well, helping them feel secure and confident. Not all required documentation is in place and it's lack of organisation does not ensure confidentiality. This compromises children's safety and wellbeing. Children's consistency of care is supported because parents and childminder regularly discuss information about the children's day. The childminder is developing her knowledge and understanding of good childcare practice by attending relevant training courses. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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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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 satisfactory. 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 healthy food options for children • ensure that suitable dining furniture is available to meet the needs of all children and improve the organisation of resources to increase opportunities for children to explore and make independent choices • improve the maintenance of fire safety equipment

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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 • develop a suitable range of activities for younger children, for example by using the Birth to three framework. • devise a system for the recording of complaints; keep a written record, signed by parents, of medicines given to children; request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment; obtain consents for outings and use of transport and maintain all records to ensure confidentiality.

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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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