Moorgate

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 131369 Inspection date 21 December 2005 Inspector Alison Jane Kaplonek

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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 has been registered since 1998. She is registered to provide care for six children under the age of eight years of age, at any one time. At present the childminder cares for nine children on a part time basis, six of whom are under five years of age. The childminder lives with her partner and three school age children in a house in Bevois Town, within walking distance of local shops and schools. The whole of the house is used for childminding, except the master bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. It is a non-smoking household.

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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 family have some pets. The childminder takes children to the library and toddler group on a regular basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming family environment. They are encouraged to take care of their personal needs themselves for example when using the upstairs toilet to wash their hands, although they do not have access to individual hand towels. The childminder has a good understanding of the need for children to take regular exercise and children are taken out every day for a walk either to the local common or to school. They also have access to a garden for outside play where they can enjoy physical activities in safety. Children are provided with nutritious snacks, such as fruit or carrot sticks and regular access to drinking water. They are encouraged to eat healthily and there is close liaison with parents to ensure that the lunch boxes they provide contain the appropriate food. Children benefit from the use of appropriate record keeping, such as records of any

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Helping children to be healthy

accidents or medication administered, and these are shared with parents. There are emergency treatment consent forms, but not for all children. Although the childminder has completed first aid training in the past, it is not always maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe environment where equipment and resources are in a good condition and are easily accessible. They are protected from any harmful substances, medicines or equipment by careful supervision on the part of the childminder. She carries out regular visual risk assessments on the premises and equipment. Children are always closely supervised when in the kitchen, upstairs or playing in the garden and when walking home from school. Children use good quality toys and equipment which are appropriate for their age and stage of development. They all have easy access to these, enabling them to make choices within a safe environment. They learn to take care of resources and are often involved in tidying up or checking for broken toys. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and discusses any concerns which arise with the parents. She knows who to contact for support.

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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 have access to a good range of interesting activities and resources both inside the house and outside in the garden. They are able to make independent choices and influence their own learning and enjoyment. Children make positive relationships with each other and the childminder. They confidently request certain activities or resources, for example they use Christmas stencils and coloured pens to make pictures for their parents. They show an interest in what they do, ask questions and interact well together, sharing and behaving well. Younger children enjoy learning from and playing with the older children. The childminder is aware of the differing needs of the children in her care and provides activities which are appropriate to the stage of development of each child. She takes them out regularly to toddler groups, to the library or park.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are all looked after in a caring environment where their needs are well met. They are all fully involved in the life and routines of the provision, often helping to tidy away resources or to pack up their lunch boxes. They are provided with a good range of resources and activities which help them understand their own needs and those of others, such as books or small world figures. Children are clear about the house rules and the boundaries set and as a consequence they behave well. Older children are talked to about their actions and the consequences are explained to them. Younger children settle well and are developing their sense of belonging. They talk with the childminder about their families and events in their lives. The childminder values all the children in her care and allows them to make choices and decisions. She understands the need to share information with parents and to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

talk through any issues which may arise. She has good relationships with parents, enabling children to feel secure whilst in her care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are well settled in this family environment. They are supervised at all times and never left with an unvetted adult. Arrangements are in place in the case of an emergency. The space available and the deployment of the childminders time are organised well to ensure that the needs of the children are met. Children's health and safety are assured because of the continual vigilance of the childminder, although some documentation and training issues require attention.

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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 Good essential records, are in place such as a record of accidents, a daily register and details of any religious or dietary needs. This provides children with good continuity of care and ensures that they feel settled and secure. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children who they provide for.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve hygiene practices by providing bedding for each child, and to encourage children to wash their hands before eating. She was also asked to maintain an incident book and to make safe the plastic tub which collects water in the garden. Children are now provided with individual bedding and encouraged to wash hands before eating. An incident record is now maintained and the plastic tub in the garden has been removed.

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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

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 that all children are protected from the spread of infection by the provision of individual towels for use after hand washing. • ensure first aid training is up to date. • obtain written permission from all parents to seek emergency treatment or advice.

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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 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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