Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY229480 Unique Reference Number 27 February 2006 Inspection date Catherine Greene Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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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.

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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 2002. She is registered with her husband as assistant to care for 6 children under 8; of these, not more than 3 may be under 5 years and of these, not more than 1 may be under 1 year. At present the childminder has 8 children under 8 years on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She lives with her husband, 11 year old daughter and 8 year old son.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

They live in a 3 bedroom terraced house in Hornsey within walking distance of Campsbourne School and playcentre. The areas used for childminding are the living room, 2 bedrooms, kitchen and ground floor toilet. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends local drop in groups on a regular 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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are nurtured well and cared for in a clean and well-maintained home. The childminder has a thorough understanding of how to promote children's health and well-being. Her good overall hygiene practice with children ensures their daily needs are well-managed. Children are becoming independent and she is teaching them and supporting their development. She talks to them and praises their efforts when washing their hands after playing and before eating. The childminder has a clear policy regarding the care of sick children. This involves advising parents to keep their children at home when they are sick. If a child falls sick in her care, she is sensitive and caring. She ensures that they are comfortable whilst waiting for their parents to arrive.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eat healthy and nutritious food. The childminder has a good understanding of the benefits of healthy eating and promotes this well together with the parents. She consults closely with parents about children's diets and provides healthy snacks of fresh fruit and promotes drinking water. Children's special dietary and health needs are catered for in a sensitive way, to ensure they remain healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Safety is well-promoted inside the childminder's well-maintained and secure home. Children are able to move around comfortably and freely as space is organised with their needs in mind.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of good practical safety precautions and is pro-active in protecting children from harm. This includes talking to children and parents about safety and firm arrangements for the safe arrival and collection of children. She is sensitive to the individual needs of families using her service and will make every effort to accommodate them. She meets this in various ways including having an arrangement to drop one child home and accommodate the parents busy schedule.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate. She has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and plans to repeat child protection training in the near future. This will further develop her knowledge and level of confidence in child protection procedure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a good range of well-maintained toys and equipment which are safe for children of all ages to enjoy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are content, happily settled and they respond excitedly to a wide range of activities. They enjoy creative play exploring paint and other materials and role-play. They take their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 imaginations outside to the garden where they play with sand and water and pitch tents for imaginary games. They enjoy gardening and planting their own bulbs in pots.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children develop good self-esteem because the childminder is aware and responds to their emotional needs very well. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how children learn through play. Activities based on Birth to three matters framework guide children's learning through play very effectively. Children are supported well during times of change and are secure in the childminder's care. This enables them to move confidently on to the next stage of development. The childminder's good nurturing skills help children feel secure and valued. Older children are given support and the space to complete their homework in a productive environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Activities are well-balanced and include many opportunities for children to socialise with others at local playgroups and with friends. Children also enjoy a good range of physical play opportunities in the garden and at local parks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children feel a strong sense of belonging as part of an extended family. Their individual needs are met very successfully by the childminder. Parents are fully included in the setting and encouraged to contribute their ideas and knowledge. Their feedback about the service provided is extremely positive.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are inspired to find out about the local community as they join in on different celebrations and during outings and trips to places of cultural significance. Each child is valued and respected as an individual and the childminder knows the children's individual personalities well. They are encouraged to develop their own interests and are not restricted. Children are able to gain a real sense of achievement as the childminder makes every effort to help them reach their full potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop close relationships with each other and behaviour is very positive because of the childminder's incentive system giving children lots of affection and praise.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder is a National Childminding Association member, documentation relating to childminding activities are professional and well-maintained.

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Organisation

The childminder is well-informed about child development, childminding standards and relevant health and safety publications. The childminder has a very good standard of records on the children in her care. This includes detailed information on the children's needs, their development and significant milestones. Parents are kept informed verbally and in writing on a daily basis. A photographic record is kept on children's progress in individual scrap books.

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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 The childminder provides a relaxed and comfortable setting for children where space and equipment are planned to accommodate children of all ages.

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Organisation

The childminder has demonstrated a commitment to further developing her childcare skills by attending regular training. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 Ofsted has received two complaints.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The first complaint related to National Standard 1: Suitable person; National Standard 6: Safety. The concerns raised were about supervision and transportation of children. Ofsted investigated these concerns. Evidence was found that National Standards had been breached. Actions were set and consequently met by the childminder.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The second complaint related to National Standard 1: Suitable Person; National Standard 2: Organisation; and National Standard 6: Safety. Concerns were raised about adult/children ratios and transportation of children. Ofsted carried out an unannounced inspection and found the childminder not in breach of the above National Standards with no further action required. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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Complaints 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): • develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues.

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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 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

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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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