Childminder in Islington

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY301745 Inspection date 25 January 2006 Inspector Gulnaz Hassan

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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 2005. She lives with her son aged 21 months in a two bedroom flat in the London Borough of Islington. All areas of the flat are used for childminding. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding one child over 5 after school. The childminder visits the local park and attends the local sports centre with minded children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 satisfactory. Children are well cared for in a clean and tidy environment where they benefit from good hygiene practices. Explanations help children understand that washing hands before eating reduces the risk of passing on germs and becoming ill. Children's welfare in the event of sickness or accidents is not entirely assured as the childminder does not have written permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment or advice. Children have a good choice of nutritious, healthy and freshly prepared snacks that ensure that their individual dietary and health needs are being met. Children are developing good eating habits as the childminder has a very good understanding of healthy eating for young children and she enjoys planning healthy menus for children. Children have good daily opportunities to enjoy a range of physical activities either outdoors at the park or at the local sports centre where children participate in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a spacious and welcoming environment that the childminder has adapted and organised effectively with the needs of children in mind. This allows children to move around, rest and play safely and confidently on the premises. Children have access to a wide range of good quality toys and resources that are appropriate to their age and stage of development and that promote their learning in all areas. However, resources reflecting positive images that promote children's understanding of the wider community are limited. Children are looked after using a good range of child size furniture, such as booster seats and equipment that meets their daily care needs well. Children benefit from a good range of safety measures and equipment, such as safety gates that the childminder has implemented to protect children from avoidable accidents. The childminder has developed effective emergency evacuation

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

procedures that ensure the safety of children when a quick exit is required. Children's welfare is protected well as the childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what action to take if there are concerns about children in her care. This ensures that the childminder can quickly recognise when a child is in danger and can act in the child’s best interest.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a secure and caring environment where the relationship between the childminder and the children is established and exceptionally affectionate. Minded children relate very well to the childminder and her child, children enjoy playing with each other and older children act responsibly towards younger children. Children enjoy a good range of activities at home that are stimulating and that help children make progress in all areas of learning and development. A good balance of adult and child initiated games at home, help children to make progress in areas such as language and speech development, shape and size, reading and creative play. Children benefit from outings to the park, where they enjoy fresh air and extend their physical development by playing outdoors. Children also visit local parent and toddler groups with the childminder who actively engages with them whilst they participate in

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities, such as creative art, that extend and challenge their abilities further.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn to accept differences through discussion, however the range of activities and resources that develop children's understanding of diversity and positive images of the wider community, such as disability, are limited. Children are treated with respect and lots of praise and encouragement to promote their self-esteem. The childminder has a good understanding of special needs and has recently gained valuable experience in this area. Children's behaviour is very good and children of different ages play together very well, older children enjoy caring for and engaging with the younger children. Younger children are learning to behave positively, to share and to take turns through the good examples set by the older children. The childminder uses praise and encouragement to promote positive behaviour and uses methods of distraction and simple explanations that are appropriate to the age and understanding of the children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from positive relationships between the childminder and their parents as the childminder ensures that parent's wishes about children's care are respected. This enables children's individual needs regarding routines and special after school activities to be met well. Children's continuity of care is ensured as their daily routine, care and progress is shared with parents through daily verbal feedback. This sharing of information between the childminder and parents enhances children’s care, learning and development.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides. Children benefit from a well-organised environment where they receive good support from the childminder to help them feel secure and confident. The daily attendance register lacks sufficient detail with regard to time keeping and is presently maintained in an informal manner. Children's needs are met well as most of the documentation and records required for the safe and effective care of children are in place, contributing to the welfare of the children. Relevant information is shared with parents and records are regularly updated to ensure that children's needs are being met.

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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 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): • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • ensure that the daily attendance register contains details of the times for arrival and departure of children

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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 • ensure that resources and play equipment reflect positive images

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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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