Queensway Community Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 105772 Inspection date 13 January 2006 Inspector Marcia Robinson

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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 works with her husband who is a full time registered childminder and mother who works as their assistant. The co-childminders live with their 10-year-old son in a 2 bedroom basement flat in the Ladbroke Grove area of the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Children have access to the front and back reception, kitchen, hallway, one bedroom and a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children when working

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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 alone and 9 children whenever she is working with a co-childminder and assistant. Together they have 5 children aged under 5 years on roll. They are members of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a clean and tidy environment where good cleaning and hygiene routines are practiced by the childminder. This ensures that children's health is not at risk from contamination and cross infection. Children are learning the importance of maintaining good personal hygiene, for example they wash their hands appropriately and enjoy brushing their teeth after lunch. Children are protected from illness and infection as the childminder has an up to date first aid certificate. She also has good procedures in place for accidents, medication and sick children which ensures children's health care needs are met effectively. Children develop a very good understanding of healthy eating as the childminder enjoys planning healthy menus that are freshly prepared and very well balanced. The children choose from a selection of fresh fruit, such as bananas, apples and grapes

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Helping children to be healthy

at snack time. Children are offered a choice of drinks, including water, diluted juice and milk throughout the day. Each child's particular dietary needs and preferences are well catered for. Children have daily opportunities to take part in physical activities, which help them to exercise and develop control over their bodies. Outdoor play in the garden and regular trips to the local parks and indoor play centre gives children plenty of opportunities to enjoy fresh air and improve their physical skills. For example, when the childminder takes the children to the indoor play centre, they have fun, playing in the soft play area and with a selection of climbing apparatus.

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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 environment where they can move around in comfort and ease. The childminder has adapted and organised her home effectively with the needs of children in mind. For example, children have designated areas for play and rest which allows them to move around the childminder's home easily and play safely on the premises. Children have access to a range of well maintained toys, furniture and equipment that meet their daily care needs, such as several highchairs, buggies and a travel cot. Children are safely cared for through the careful attention the childminder gives to preventing accidents. For example, she positions a safety gate at the entrance of the kitchen doorway whilst she is cooking and has removed all dangerous items out of children's reach. Children are familiar with the fire drill procedure. The childminder

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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 ensures it is practised with the children on a regular basis to ensure children are fully protected in the event of a fire. Children's welfare is safeguarded and their wellbeing promoted as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues. She knows how to proceed if she has concerns about children in her care, which ensures that children are not at risk and that they are protected well from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from daily outings to local parent and toddler groups and to places of interest such as the local shops and library, which promotes children's social skills. The children are able to enjoy looking at books and they can learn about their local community. The childminder attends the local parents and toddler groups with the children and whilst there ensures children are supported and actively learning through play. Although the childminder has not completed training in the Birth to Three Matters framework, she makes use of the guidance pack to provide positive learning experiences for children under three years. The children enjoy a good range of planned and well considered activities at home that are stimulating and that help children make progress in all areas of learning and development. For example, children are developing their creative skills as they are involved in singing, dancing,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

painting, drawing and role play. They are increasing their vocabulary as the childminder asks them questions and encourages them to talk. However, she is continuing to develop the provision of books for the younger children. The children show interest in toys and activities provided and are developing good self help skills, as they choose their toys independently and lead their own learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children develop a strong sense of self esteem and appreciation of each other as the childminder promotes this aspect of her provision exceptionally well. For example, the childminder has introduced a weekly 'international day' with stories, food and costumes from various countries from around the world. Parents are also encouraged to take part and bring in dishes from their own cultural background. This means that children are learning about their own and other people's cultures and traditions. Although the childminder has not had experience of caring for children with special needs she believes in an inclusive environment. Children behave very well and are happy and secure in the childminder's care. She uses a positive range of age-appropriate behaviour management strategies, such as simple explanations and lots of praise and encouragement. These methods are discussed and shared with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

parents which promotes a consistent approach.

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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 Children's needs are very well met through the sharing of excellent written information about the service provided and children's individual needs. The childminder works in a positive and productive manner with parents, maintaining long term and consistent relationships. Children experience consistent care due to the substantial level of communication that takes place between the childminder and their parents. The childminder exchanges information with parents through daily chats and memos. She also uses a daily diary system and shares written reports about children's progress and achievements. This information is shared with parents at six monthly review meetings. This ensures that parents are kept well informed about their child's care, learning and development in all areas.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The setting is meeting the needs of the range of children for whom it provides care. Children's welfare, care and development are very well met as the childminder has extremely good knowledge and understanding of the National Standards for childminding. They work well together as a team, because they have clear roles and responsibilities in place. The childminder has completed training in developing childminding practice. She is interested in enhancing her childcare knowledge with training on the Birth to Three Matters and extending childminding practice in order to benefit the children. The childminder works well with her co-childminder and assistant. They are extremely well organised, warm and affectionate towards the children who in turn are at ease in this caring environment. The layout of the childminding home helps to promote children's independence, and they can initiate their own play. Parents views

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Organisation

are valued and the system in place to share information contribute to the children's sense of confidence and well-being. Children's needs are exceptionally well met as all the documentation and records required for the safe and effective care of children are in place. This contributes to the welfare needs of the children. Relevant information is shared with parents and records are regularly updated. This ensures that children's needs are being met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to provide a range of toys and resources to encourage children's imaginative development and to provide a suitable and sufficient range of toys for babies. Children now have access to a good range of toys and resources that encourage their imaginative development and a suitable and sufficient range of toys are now available for babies. This promotes positive outcomes for children enjoying and achieving.

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Improvements 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

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Complaints since the last inspection

In October 2004 Ofsted received a complaint relating to National Standards 1: Suitable Person, National Standard 2: Organisation and National Standard 11: Behaviour. The concerns raised related to the quality of care children were receiving. Ofsted carried out an investigation on 15 November 2004. No evidence was found that the provider was not complying with the National Standards. No further action was taken and the provider remained qualified for 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): • further enhance your knowledge and understanding of the Birth to Three Matters framework in order to continue to promote positive outcomes for children from birth to three years. • provide a wider range of books, particularly for children under five years.

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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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