Ferry Lane Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 102127 Inspection date 12 October 2005 Inspector Malini Parmar

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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 was registered in 1985. She lives in a house in Hampstead, London. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Children also have access to an upstairs room for sleeping. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding one child under 5 years for three full days a week. The childminder attends several groups for children aged under 5 years in the area. The family has a three cats.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They are encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times such as, before and after eating. The childminder engages even young children in good conversations to support their understanding of why they must wash their hands, to reduce the risk of illness. Children benefit from the positive steps taken to prevent the spread of infection, for example, they have their own bedding and hand towels. Children are protected from unnecessary illness as they do not attend if they have an infection. Their welfare is protected because the childminder has implemented sound procedures for accidents and medication and she holds a current first aid certificate. Children learn the importance of healthy eating as they are regularly provided with drinks and a good range of nutritious snacks. These comply with all special dietary

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Helping children to be healthy

requirements and parental wishes, for example children relish the "crunchy" chunks of fresh apple. Children are protected from contamination of food because perishable foods supplied in lunch boxes are stored appropriately. Children are able to rest, eat and sleep according to their individual needs to promote their well being. They have daily opportunities for fresh air and vigorous play to maintain good levels of exercise to support their health. They have lots of space to develop confidence in their movements and receive regular opportunities through trips to local amenities and play groups to obtain new physical skills. Young children benefit from the good support they receive to develop greater control and balance as they learn to walk and show off their new skills, for example when dancing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are settled and secure in a welcoming and well organised environment. They move freely and comfortably from room to room exploring new possibilities because all potential risks have been reduced. Children learn to keep themselves safe because they are consistently offered good explanations about how certain actions, such as running indoors, may injure them. There is a clear policy in place to follow, in the event an emergency evacuation is necessary and children receive regular opportunities to practice safe exists. Children benefit from the clear layout of resources which makes it easy for them to freely and independently select from a wide range of safe and developmentally appropriate toys and resources. There are good arrangements in place to ensure the toys offered to the children are clean, safe and of good condition. Children benefit from the wealth of appropriate equipment provided, such as a highchair, to ensure

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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's welfare is promoted and safeguarded because the childminder has most the required procedures and documentation to support this. Although, she has sought consent to seek medical advice and treatment in an emergency, this is not, as yet, securely in place. She has a firm knowledge of issues surrounding child protection to protect children from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and have a strong bond with the childminder. They form positive relationships with each other as they share their experiences and frequent laughter, for example, as they role play with "dollies and babies". They benefit from routines which are consistent with their routines at home and are beginning to socialise with other children through regular attendance at local play facilities. They experiment with paint, sand and water at these groups in the winter, and these opportunities are offered in the garden in warmer weather. Children eagerly explore a good range of stimulating books. They are learning to become skilful communicators as they listen and repeat, for example the sounds animals make. They benefit from the good use of language as the childminder continually talks to them. Children are learning to make connections as they distinguish from different toys and independently select their favourite one. They receive good levels

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

of involvement in their play to enable them to successfully experiment with a variety of resources, for example children delight as they are encouraged to "feed their baby and take her for a walk". They develop confidence and strengthen their independence as the childminder skilfully uses her thorough knowledge of their individual needs and personalities to support their play and development and provides play opportunities to match these. Children gain important skills, such as walking and eating independently, through high levels of support.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children share their thoughts, feelings and ideas freely in an environment which values their contributions. They are confident in the care and support they receive, as their individual circumstances and needs are known, and good routines followed to ensure they are met. Children's welfare and development are promoted through the effective partnership with parents. They benefit from the clear sharing of information and the childminder clarifies her service to parents at induction. She takes positive steps to ensure that parents are kept well informed about all relevant policies and procedures. Information about how children spend their day and development are exchanged on a daily basis. Children have useful opportunities to learn about differences and develop a positive view of the wider world. They regularly use a good range of resources to support their

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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 understanding of differences. This is reinforced through participating in useful activities that celebrate festivities from around the world and which are meaningful to the children. They learn about their local and wider community as they regularly visit places of interest, such as, popular temples', as well as routine outings to the library and local parks. Children behave well, they are valued and respond well to the childminder's firm expectations of their behaviour. They develop sound levels of self- esteem, assurance and confidence by being praised and encouraged, within a close secure relationship. They receive consistent explanations for both positive and undesirable behaviour, so that they develop a secure understanding of acceptable behaviour boundaries.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are confident and settled in a well organised environment. They freely select their own resources and form positive and secure relationships with the childminder. They benefit from clear flexible routines and the childminder's commitment to meeting their individual needs. The childminder has all necessary checks in place for herself and members of her family and required records to ensure appropriate care for the children attending. Some records, however, as yet lack the necessary detail. The certificate of registration is available for parents to view in a folder but, as yet, is not displayed. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to continually updating her own skills and knowledge, for example, she ensures her first aid certificate is always valid, and she is happy to attend training through the local networks. Children's welfare and development is securely promoted by the information shared with parents and the

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Organisation

childminder is flexible in meeting the needs of the children and their families. Overall, The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has a secure knowledge of meeting the needs of children with special educational needs.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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): • Ensure the certificate of registration is clearly displayed for all parents to view. • Ensure records, policies and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision are in place. Record children's attendance according to actual arrival and departure times, ensure all necessary permissions are in place and keep an accurate record of all visitors.

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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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