Childminder in Barnet

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY222632 Inspection date 08 February 2006 Inspector Deborah Wilkinson

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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder who was registered in November 2002, lives with her husband and 6 children aged between 3 and 16 in the Golders Green area of the London Borough of Barnet. The house is situated in a residential area and is close to local amenities. The childminding takes place downstairs where children use the dedicated playroom. There is a rear garden which is used for outdoor play. When working with an assistant, the childminder is registered to care for 5 children

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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 under 5 years of these, none may be under 1 year. All the children attend Monday to Friday morning for a maximum of three hours. Currently there are five children on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are healthy and well looked after. They are learning the importance of good hygiene practice when they wash their hands and are encouraged to throw their used tissues in the bin. The childminder has routines in place to help prevent the spread of infection which include not looking after children who are unwell. Older children use the easily accessible toilet facilities and there is a separate area for changing nappies. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and there is a first aid box easily accessible. Children are active and their physical skills are developing well. In good weather they play in the garden where they use large play equipment. There are also daily opportunities for exercise when they play circle games inside or bounce on the small trampoline. Children sit together with the adults to have their mid morning snack and later on enjoy a sociable time when they eat their packed lunch.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children's safety is compromised as persons who have not been checked for their suitability to work with the childminder have access to the children. Children have adequate space to play in the dedicated playroom and sit comfortably at a small table to do some of their activities. They enjoy looking at the display of posters and a large collage of a tree and talk about the changing seasons. The rear garden is reached through the play room and there is easy access to the kitchen and integral toilet. Generally children are safe and secure in the home as the childminder has an awareness of practical safety issues. She checks the room and toys daily and uses safety equipment including gates to prevent children accessing the kitchen or stairs. However children are not given consistent guidelines about using the trampoline one at a time. Children use a range of equipment some of which is organised so that they can

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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 The childminder has a cleaning routine for the toys and checks regularly that they are in good condition. Children's welfare is protected as the childminder is aware of the signs of possible abuse and knows the correct procedure to follow should she have any concerns..

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are happy and enjoy the morning which is divided into sessions to provide opportunities for free play and group activities. Together they put together the railway tracks and guide the trains around these. Two children push the dolls prams while another goes pretend shopping for the childminder. They use stickers to decorate their pictures of fruit, listen to a story, enjoy singing and dancing to music and when waiting for their parents to arrive sit in a bus made from their chairs. The adults are very involved with the children sitting with them either at the tables or on the floor. They encourage them in their play and offer support. The childminder talks with the children about what they are doing, together they look at the trees in the garden and discuss how these will change with the seasons. The childminder is calm and the children respond well to her gentle approach. She is

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

also enthusiastic gathering a child into her arms and dancing with her to the music, the other children smile, clap and join in.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children come into the house confidently. They are greeted by the childminder who welcomes them in, she asks them how they are, she admires one child's pretty dress and another's hairstyle. The children who attend are Jewish and the philosophy is to help them learn about Judaism through activities linked to the festivals and prayers. All children have equal access to the resources and the registration forms completed ensures the childminder has a sound knowledge of their individual needs. There are some resources which reflect the wider community and other cultures. Children are learning to consider others and to share. They have positive role models in the childminder and her assistant who speak to them politely, listen to their comments and praise them for their efforts. The childminder takes time to explain to them if their behaviour is unacceptable and involves them in other activities. When

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Helping children make a positive contribution

asked to clear up the children respond and are thanked for their help. Children are happy and content because the childminder and the assistant working with her meet their individual needs helped by the information provided by parents. They observe positive relationships when the childminder talks to their parents and gives them feedback at the end of the daily session.

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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 inadequate. The childminder has failed to comply with the regulation in regard to ensuring the suitability of all adults over 16 who work with the children. While most of the required records are in place and a registration form is completed for each child, information with regard to staff's experience is not recorded and parents have not given their written consent for the childminder to obtain medical treatment in the case of an emergency. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The organisation of the premises provides the children with adequate space to move and play comfortably and the way in which the childminder plans her daily sessions ensures the children enjoy a variety of activities.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children benefit from the positive two way communication between the childminder and their parents. Although there is no written information about the service all aspects are discussed thoroughly and an occasional news letter is provided. The childminder understands the need to provide parents with the contact details for Ofsted if they have a complaint about her practice that she cannot resolve. The children also benefit from the improved fire safety precautions as a working smoke alarm is now in place on the first floor of the house.

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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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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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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care, the registered person must take the following actions: • have effective procedures in place for checking that any assistant is suitable to work with children • ensure that all the required records relating to childminding activities are in place and available for inspection at all times These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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