Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY218629 Unique Reference Number 02 May 2006 Inspection date Tina Kelly Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in July 2002. She lives with her partner and three children aged 10, 11 and 12 years old. They live in a house in the Cranbourne area of Potters Bar, close to the station and local amenities.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The children have free access to the ground floor with limited access to upstairs to use the family bathroom and where younger children may sleep. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has attended a wide range of courses, she holds the Herts Quality Standard accreditation. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and warm environment. They are encouraged to be independent with good support from their carer. Children know they must wash their hands after using the bathroom this means they are learning about simple routines that will keep them safe and developing their understanding of their own personal care. Children's well-being is monitored and maintained as good records are in place. Parents are informed of health and safety procedures and routines as they sign to acknowledge they are aware of the policies that keep their children healthy.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with home cooked meals and snacks that are prepared daily. The childminder has catered for a vegan family and is able to adapt favourite recipes to meet the needs of all children and the requirements of their parents. Children are introduced to a wide variety of different tastes and textures. They are learning to handle cutlery in a competent manner and to eat in a social and well supported environment. Fruit and healthy options are always on offer. Children are able to talk about their likes and dislikes as they learn about different foods that are good for them.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy physical exercise. They have opportunities to access a range of different activities throughout the week as they are taken to a nearby park each day and to the local toddler group. Children are able to develop their physical and co-ordination skills as they access a wide range of age appropriate apparatus and to run and play at the park.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is maintained as their carer has attended a hygiene course and holds a food handling certificate. A flexible daily routine ensures children are able to play and rest when they need to, their individual needs are well met.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a secure environment, their safety is of high priority. The childminder is aware of potential hazards and has appropriate measures in place to maintain the children's safety. Young children learn to keep themselves safe as they are reminded not to tread on toys and to put them away when they have finished playing.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have free access to a good selection of quality toys, they are stored at low level so children can make choices and develop their play safely. The childminder talks to the children about safety when out in the community. Children are learning how to cross roads and to hold hands. They are encouraged to press the button on the Pelican Crossing and to wait for the 'green man'. They are developing their understanding of general safety in the wider world. Children's safety is maintained around the family's three dogs and the cat as the childminder takes care to ensure the children can play and access all areas safely. She is aware of the hygiene issues, children are learning to take care of the pets and to wash their hands after handling them.

p.3

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 well-being is maintained as the childminder keeps appropriate records with regards to accidents and incidents. She has a good understanding of child protection issues having attended the advanced course on this important aspect of childcare. The relevant leaflets and contact numbers are readily available to ensure the children's welfare is safeguarded at all times.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children access a wide range of play and learning opportunities. They enjoy being taken to the park each morning where they often visit the small animal encounter area. Young children are taken to toddler groups where they are able to learn to share and play in a safe environment. All children have the opportunity to go to the library, they all have their own tickets so the experience can be shared with parents and the other members of their families.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

In the home the children have access to a good range of toys that develop all areas of their play and learning. Young children are well supported by their carer, their language is extended and developed as they sit with her to play with letters and numbers. These are lined up, the colours are identified and letters linked to their names are acknowledged and repeated. Children's achievements are praised, they are thanked for their assistance as they tidy away the toys.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are encouraged to be aware of the other children's needs and they co-operate and play well together. Children are confident and friendly, they are learning good social skills in a well managed environment. Children have a range of opportunities to develop their play and to extend their learning as the childminder has attended training on a range of early years subjects including: social interaction and developing self-esteem, equal opportunities and child development.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are equally valued and respected within the setting. The childminder is very aware of their different characters and needs of the children and adapts her routine and the activities to ensure they all have opportunities to play, learn and explore.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's understanding of the wider world is extended with resources and books that show different cultures and family settings. Children are starting to learn Spanish as this is the childminder's home language. They listen intently as she gives them simple instructions about getting ready to go out and they are learning to count. Children are beginning to recognise and learn to respect aspects of another culture.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The older children are included in the care of the younger children, they are considerate and are becoming aware of the needs of others. Children who need additional help are well supported as the childminder discusses all aspects of their care with their parents. She takes responsibility for some physiotherapy, she has information from specialists to ensure the children's individual needs are well met. The childminder has a good understanding of meeting the needs of all

p.4

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 children as she has attended courses on inclusive practice, special needs and child development for experienced practitioners.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Very good relationships have been developed with parents, this is helped by the comprehensive records and policies which are well presented and easily accessible. The 'Welcome Pack' is given to all families which ensures they are fully informed about daily routines and the range of activities that are offered to their children.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder plans the weeks outings and activities taking into account the children's various care arrangments and their individual needs. The flexible routines ensures they all have opportunities to go out to the park, play in the garden and have time to rest if they need to.

p.5

Organisation

Children's well-being is of high priority. The childminder has completed the Herts Quality Standards accreditation scheme, she has a very good understanding of the importance of keeping detailed records to ensure the children's personal care issues are met and to share the day to day experiences with their parents. A complaints procedure is in place, however the contact number is out of date and there is no information about the new procedure for providers to keep a record of complaints other than those reported to Ofsted.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder has a strong commitment to training, she has attended a very wide range of courses that have extended her knowledge and understanding of childcare, special needs, health and safety as well as some aspects of the business side of childminding. She is confident in speaking to parents about issues that are raised on a day to day basis to ensure they are fully aware of the routines and activities that are on offer to their children. Long term arrangments are in place, one child has been cared for over four years, other arrangments include the care of siblings.

p.5

Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection the childminder was required to inform Ofsted of the reference number of her partners CRB. She contacted Ofsted and the detail is recorded on file.

p.5

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.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • to review and update information for parents to include the new record of complaints procedure.

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.6

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

p.6