Harefield Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 128091 Inspection date 22 March 2006 Inspector Mary Holt

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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 August 2000, she lives with her daughter aged 2-years- old. The family live in a 2 bedroom terrace house situated in a residential area of Ilford which is within the London Borough of Redbridge. The home is within easy access to public transport, local shops, schools and community resources. All areas of the property are used for childminding, there is also a fully enclosed garden available to the rear of the property for outside play.

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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 provide care for 3 children under 8-years-old, at present she cares for 2 children under 5 and 1 aged between 5 and 8-years-old on a part-time basis. The family have a pet cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, warm and welcoming home. All areas of their health is promoted well and the first aid box is fully stocked with the required items. The childminder also has an up-to-date knowledge of first aid. Children are developing an understanding of good hygiene and personal care. From an early age, they learn the importance of personal hygiene through daily routines, such as hand washing before eating and after using the toilet. However, children are not provided with individual means of hand drying to reduce the risk of possible cross-infection. Children are provided with a good range of meals that include healthy options, such as fruit and vegetables. Children are offered regular drinks throughout the day, particularly in warm weather. Younger children are provided with beakers of water or low sugar juices throughout the day. The childminder discusses and agrees

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Helping children to be healthy

children's diets with parents and is happy to cater for children's specific dietary needs if required. A good range of indoor and outdoor activities are available for children, these contribute to their good physical health. They walk to and from school every day, visit the local park and have regular access to the outdoor equipment provided in the childminder's garden. Children are able to have a quiet rest or sleep according to their individual needs. The childminder is able to provide individual sheets and blankets for younger children. Children are also able to rest on the sofa or enjoy a quiet activity, such as reading a book or watching a children's television programme.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a secure and child centred environment. Space within the childminder's home is well-organised. Children have ample room to play, a quiet place to rest and a comfortable area to enjoy their meals. Daily checks of the house and garden are made by the childminder and very good supervision of children helps to ensure they are protected from harm. Children have access to a wide range of safe and suitable furniture, toys and equipment. These items are age appropriate and well-organised, for example, small toys are kept out of the reach of young children. The childminder checks her toys

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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 frequently to ensure they remain in good condition. Appropriate safety equipment is provided to keep children safe, this includes a stair gate at the foot of the stairs and the door of the kitchen, a fire blanket in the kitchen and smoke alarms are in place on each level of the house. Children are developing an understanding of how to keep themselves safe. They know why it is important not to run up and down the stairs and children are kept safe when on outings. Younger children are encouraged to hold the childminder's hand when out walking. The childminder is developing the children's knowledge of road safety by talking to them about potential dangers and encouraging them to look out for cars as they cross the road. Current copies of the local authority child protection procedures are in place to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

protect children and any concerns about a child would be dealt with immediately. The childminder demonstrated a clear understanding of her role and responsibilities to protect children in her care and stated that she would not hesitate to seek support if she was concerned about a child. However, she was unsure of what procedure to follow if she needed to make a child protection referral.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled gradually into the childminder’s care to ensure they and their family get to know her well before the childminding placement begins. When the children arrive in the morning they are greeted warmly by the childminder, settle quickly and confidently begin to play. Children's confidence and self-esteem is built by the childminder who knows them well and treats them with respect. Children have easy access to a good range of play materials and equipment; which include items that reflect diversity and people with additional needs. This increases the children's opportunities to learn about the wider community. The childminder rotates her play equipment regularly to ensure children remain stimulated. Children have good opportunities to be creative. They use their imaginations well through their play as they make good use of the resources available. Children enjoy regular art and craft activities. Regular opportunities are also made available for

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children to enjoy books and stories. Children also enjoy a range of interesting indoor and outdoor activities that encourages their all round development and helps them to learn whilst having fun.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are welcomed, valued and respected as individuals. Children's individual needs are well met as they follow the care routines established at home. Children decide what drinks and snacks they would like and confidently choose toys and equipment.

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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 are learning to share the childminder's attention, take turns and to co-operate with others. The childminder is a good role model, she treats children with respect and manages children's behaviour in a calm, realistic and positive manner. Children are helped to feel good about themselves as the childminder uses praise frequently to reward positive behaviour, such as their efforts and for being patient. Younger children benefit from a warm, secure relationship with the childminder. Children explore their local community as they visit the local park, library, Parent and Toddler Group and the shops. Children have access to a selection of play materials and activities to help them develop their knowledge and understanding of other cultures and lifestyles. There are also resources available to them from the local

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Helping children make a positive contribution

library that reflect positive images of people with additional needs. An effective partnership between the childminder and parents ensures children's care is consistent. Children benefit from the childminder's gradual settling in process. This ensures that children and their family get to know the childminder well before the placement begins. The childminder provides a flexible childminding service, which meets the needs of parents' working schedules and to provide continuity of care for children. She shares information and discusses the children's progress with parents at the end of each childminding day.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are confident, happy and feel at home in this welcoming childminding environment. The childminder has a good knowledge of child development. The childminder has a good understanding of the National Standards for Childminding and is clear about her role and responsibility to protect children and provide a good standard of care. Children benefit from the childminder's service and her commitment of further developing her childcare knowledge and skills. The required documentation is effectively maintained, organised and stored securely. The childminder has attended several training courses and she plans to attend a Birth to three matters training course with the local authority as soon as one becomes available. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection visit, four actions and two recommendations were raised regarding the daily attendance register, obtaining copies of the local authority child protection procedures, her first aid qualification, developing and practising an emergency evacuation procedure ensuring that potential hazards are inaccessible to minded children and proof of her identity. The childminder now records children's time of arrival and departure in the daily attendance register, has obtained a copy of the local authority child protection

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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 procedure, and has developed and practises an emergency evacuation procedure. She has renewed her first aid qualification, made potential hazards inaccessible to children and sent off the required documents to confirm her identity.

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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 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): • ensure that children are provided with individual means of hand drying • increase knowledge and understanding of local child protection procedures

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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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