Newdale Primary School & Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 133300 Inspection date 17 February 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 satisfactory. 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 1994. She lives with her adult son and adult daughter in a 3 storey, 4 bedroom house in Islington. The property is close to Kings Cross tube station and it is within walking distance of local shops, parks and schools. The living room, kitchen/diner on the ground floor and one bedroom on the first floor are available for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for 5 children under 8 years. She is currently minding 4 children under 5 who attend on a part time basis.

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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 pet cats. The childminder attends a local drop-in group for children under 5 years on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are looked after in a clean and well-maintained environment where they are learning good hygiene practices. For example, they know they must wash their hands before eating and after going to the toilet, to stop germs from spreading. Children are well protected from the spread of infection and germs because the childminder follows effective procedures with regards to nappy changing and ensures good hygiene arrangements are in place for the care of the pet cats. Suitable procedures are in place to ensure children are protected from unnecessary illness, for instance children who are infectious do not attend. However, written parental consent for urgent medical treatment is not in place. Children's health and well being is safeguarded by the effective use of documentation to record accidents, medication and any health needs. Children have good opportunities to enjoy regular physical

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Helping children to be healthy

exercise and fresh air as they play in the garden with a selection of outdoor toys. They also walk to the local drop in groups where they can play in the outdoor play area with a selection of outdoor toys and fixed climbing equipment. The parents and the childminder work together to provide a balanced range of healthy food for the children to enjoy during the day. The childminder has a good understanding and awareness of children's dietary needs and of the relevant food groups children need. Each child's particular dietary needs and preferences are provided for well. The children enjoy choosing from a selection of fresh fruit at snack time, for instance they enjoy eating grapes and apples. Older children help themselves to fresh drinking water and the childminder regularly offers water to younger children who have not yet developed their self-help skills. This ensures children do not become thirsty and dehydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to areas of the home where they can play, rest and eat comfortably. They can move around easily throughout the whole of the ground floor of the premises. Children have easy access to a good range of toys and resources that have been carefully selected by the childminder to ensure that resources are safe, clean and age appropriate. Children's care needs are well supported by a good range of equipment in place to meet their individual needs, such as a cot, highchairs and buggies. Children's safety and security within the home and garden is satisfactory as the childminder has taken most of the necessary steps to identify and address risks to

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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 children. For example, safety gates are in place to prevent unsupervised access to various areas of the home. The childminder has taken some fire prevention measures, but the fire blanket is not fitted for use in the kitchen and one of the fire exit routes is not free from obstruction. Therefore, children's safety is not fully safeguarded. Children's welfare is adequately protected by the childminder who has a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She knows how to proceed if she has concerns about children in her care, but she is unclear of the procedures to take if an allegation of abuse is made against her or a member of her family.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy the company of the childminder as she provides them with a varied and stimulating range of age appropriate activities and offers them praise and encouragement. Children benefit from positive interaction and engagement with the childminder who is attentive towards the needs of the children. For example, the childminder spends time talking, listening and playing with the children. Children have opportunities to learn and develop both at home, and at local drop in groups, where they take part in a sufficient range of activities that promote their learning in all areas. For example, children enjoy imaginative play as they play with dolls, buggies and tea-sets. The childminder has a good range of resources to support children's play and learning and a wide selection of children's books. Children have good opportunities to develop their social skills. The childminder

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

regularly takes them to local drop in groups where they can participate in a good range of activities and they are able to mix and socialise with other children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about their community as they have routine visits to the local park, shops and drop in groups. Children are valued as individuals, they are beginning to learn about other cultures, traditions and beliefs as they take part in activities at the local drop in groups. The good range of resources, such as books, toys, dolls and puzzles helps children to develop a strong identity and to feel good about themselves, their family and others. The childminder has limited experience of working with children with special needs and is interested in keeping up to date on recent developments through further training. She would be committed to providing support for children who may have special educational needs and understands the need to work closely with parents and other professionals to ensure children receive the appropriate care and support. Children behave well as a result of the childminder developing effective strategies to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

manage their behaviour. This takes children's age and stage of development into

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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 account. Children's confidence and self esteem is fully promoted by the childminder who uses positive praise and encouragement to build on children's good behaviour. Partnership with parents is satisfactory. Parents are informed on a daily basis as to the activities their children have been engaged in and any other relevant information, for example their food intake and sleep patterns.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The setting is meeting the needs of the range of children for whom it provides care. The childminder has a sufficient understanding of the National Standards for childminding. She has a positive attitude to undertaking any improvements, in order to fully promote children's health, safety, care and learning needs. The childminder organises the space and resources sufficiently. Children can pick and choose from the available toys and initiate their own play. Children are given sufficient time and attention as the correct ratios are maintained. The childminder is keen to develop her knowledge and skills to benefit the children. For example, she has identified her future training needs which includes new information contained in the Birth to Three Matters framework. Children's needs are met well as most documentation and records required for the safe and effective care of children are in place. The childminder currently uses verbal

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Organisation

policies and procedures during discussion with parents. Information between parents and the childminder is shared on a daily basis, she ensures parents are kept well informed about the service and their children's development.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and ensure suitable equipment is available to meet the needs of younger children at mealtimes. Both recommendations have been implemented, which improves children's safety.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted have received two complaints. The first complaint related to Standard 1: Suitable Person, Standard 2: Organisation, Standard 6: Safety, and Standard 14: Documentation. The concerns raised alleged that the childminder was minding over her registered numbers, that Ofsted had not been informed of changes to the household and a safety issue. An Ofsted Childcare Inspector carried out an unannounced visit and found that the childminder occasionally exceeded the number of children specified in her conditions by one child aged under five years but was not exceeding the total number of

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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 children she is registered to care for. A letter was sent to the childminder warning her that the numbers of children being cared for at any one time must not exceed registration conditions. A compliance notice was served asking the childminder to comply with the regulation to keep all required records on 14 December 2004. It was also found that a frequent visitor to the household had not undergone appropriate checks. He is not resident at the premises and confirmed he is never present during the hours of childminding. However, the childminder agreed that she would send his completed forms for checks for his suitability to be in regular contact with the minded children. The childminder had failed to notify Ofsted of this significant change to her circumstances. The letter sent to childminder on 14 December 2004 warned her of

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Complaints since the last inspection

this breach in regulations. An inspection of the outdoor area was carried out and no safety issues identified. The childminder remained qualified for registration. The second complaint related to Standard 1: Suitable Person, Standard 2 Organisation, Standard 6: Safety and Standard 14: Documentation. The concerns raised were the same as in the previous complaint. An Ofsted Childcare Inspector carried out an unannounced visit. No evidence of over minding was found. The childminder remains qualified for registration

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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 satisfactory. 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): • improve record keeping by requesting written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and update the complaints log book by including all the required details. • improve fire safety precautions by ensuring that a fire blanket is accessible in the kitchen and that fire exit routes are kept free from obstruction.

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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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