Childminder in Brent

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY270854 Inspection date 19 April 2005 Inspector Helen Maria Steven

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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 January 2004. She lives with her husband and 6 year old daughter in a 3 bed roomed house arranged over 3 floors. A ground floor open planned playroom is the main area of the home used for childminding, there is a fully enclosed garden available. The home is situated in West Hampstead, which is a mainly residential area and is culturally diverse. There are local parks, playgrounds, drop in groups and library within walking distance, which the childminder uses as part of her childminding day. The family have a fish in a secure tank and a rabbit that lives outside.

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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 childminder is registered to care for 5 children under 8 and currently has 4 children on the register all of whom attend part-time. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are involved in everyday routines that contribute to their good health. They are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Parents and the childminder provide a balance of food for the children to enjoy during the minded day, the children are able to access drinking water at any time. The childminder takes account of parents wishes and provides foods that meet the children's individual dietary needs. Daily activities include local outings to parks, playgrounds and drop in groups to enable the children to participate in physical and outdoor play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children make use of a dedicated playroom on the ground floor of the premises, the carpet and tiled area give the children the opportunity to explore different textures. Currently the bathroom is on the top floor of the premises which means that younger children cannot use it independently. Younger children cannot move around the premises free from hazard, for example there isn't a barrier preventing them from accessing the stairs. Older children have access to the top floor, where they are able to play without direct supervision, however they are exposed to the hazard of windows that are shut but not locked. If the windows are open there is no restrictor to prevent the children from falling. The childminder talks to the children, offers guidance and leads by example when out of the house to ensure that children are aware of safety considerations. She has a current First Aid certificate and has a basic knowledge of child protection issues to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

safeguard children's welfare, however she is less secure in recording her concerns and to whom she reports concerns. Children make choices and select activities from a basic range of good quality toys and equipment. The childminder rotates and carefully selects toys for younger children to ensure they are safe and age appropriate.

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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 The provision is satisfactory. Children are well settled and feel at home. The younger children who are sometimes cared for alone, socialise with others through regular attendance at local drop in groups. Children are encouraged to develop independence and to make choices. There are some resources that encourage children to use their senses, for example toys that are made from natural materials and resources that make sounds. Older children enjoy a wide range of role-play materials and all children have access to creative and malleable resources. The younger children obtain great delight from the musical mat, dancing and moving across the pictures to create different sounds. Children's attention is sometimes distracted from their play by the TV, which is on in the background and only switched off whilst the children sleep.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder talks to the older children about varying cultures and follows on topics covered at school to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity, but this good practice is not reflected in resources for the children to play with. Children's individual needs are known to the childminder, she has a good relationship with parents to ensure that children feel secure and their regular daily routine is continued. Children's behaviour is managed by a variety of strategies depending on the child's age and understanding. Children with special needs are not currently able to access this childminder's service as she believes that she will need specialist training to care for children with specific needs. The childminder is not proactive in finding out about support available to enable her to care for children with special needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at home as the childminder is well organised and generally older children can organise their own play. Children's daily routines are supported to meet their individual needs which makes them feels secure. The required record keeping that is needed to ensure the welfare of minded children is not all in place. There is no record of children's daily attendance, no records of accidents and no system for recording the administration of medication. Daily

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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 feedback to parents is all verbal and no written policies reflecting the childminders practice are in place. Overall, children needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the first inspection since 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): • ensure the safety of minded children by making the windows, stairs, low cupboards containing hazardous materials and the stagnant water in the garden safe or inaccessible for minded children. • develop systems for recording children's daily attendance, accidents and administration of medicine. • develop knowledge and understanding of providing a service for children with special needs.

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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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