Teaseldown School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 135837 Inspection date 22 March 2006 Inspector Philippa Clare Williams

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2000. She lives with her husband and 3 children, 2 daughters aged 12 and 9 years and a son aged 11 years. They live in a 4 bedroom semi-detached house. The property is in Enfield within walking distance to transport facilities, schools and shops. All areas of the property are used for childminding except for the master bedroom and the loft conversion. There is a fully enclosed garden available for play. The childminder is registered to provide care for 4 children of under 8 years. She is currently caring for 3 children under 5 years term time only.

p.2

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 takes children to the local toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home. Cleaning and hygiene routines protect children's health and help prevent spread of infection. They develop independence in personal care with encouragement and support, for example, they wash their hands before eating and help out at nappy changing. Children's health is protected because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate, food hygiene certificate, has a first aid kit available and effective systems in place for sick or injured children. Children are well nourished through well balanced meals and healthy snacks and drinks. For example, they enjoy sandwiches, fruit, vegetables and yogurt at lunch time. They rest and sleep according to their needs. Their physical development is promoted well through a broad range of effective activities, such as playing in the garden, trips to indoor adventure playgrounds and local parks.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming home where most risks are identified and minimised. This means they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder has good systems in place to ensure children's safety inside and outside the home, for example, she carries out a monthly risk assessment to her home. Children enjoy playing with a broad range of high quality toys and equipment which the childminder has ensured are safe and in a clean condition. The very good arrangement of resources allows children to develop choices and to nurture their independence. Children are protected from harm through the childminder’s valuable knowledge of child protection issues gained through her training, which she plans to further update.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children develop good confidence and positive self-esteem through receiving plenty of praise and encouragement for efforts and achievements. Their independence is promoted through a free choice of a variety of activities and play is extended through the childminder’s involvement in the activities. For example, she helps them with role play and she encourages their active participation in story telling. Children are making good progress because the childminder provides activities which

p.3

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 challenge and interest children, for example, children learn to write their own name and count during their play. Communication skills are fostered and nurtured throughout the day as the childminder listens with interest and skilfully responds and reinforces or extends language according to the child's level of understanding. Children are socialising and building good relationships. They enjoy playing games together and share toys and equipment appropriately, taking turns to play a board game with the childminder's support. They have regular opportunities to socialise with other children by attending local groups, the library and parks. The childminder has recently started to make observations of children's learning and uses these to plan activities and experiences for individual children. She could further

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

improve outcomes for children under three years by using the Birth to three matters framework.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Effective systems are in place to ensure that children are happy, valued and respected as individuals. For example, children really enjoy showing their photos cards of 'things they like'. Children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others are raised by the childminder through the good range of activities and resources she provides. These help children learn and value each others similarities and differences as they learn about other festivals and talk about other countries. The childminder is aware that some of the children may have special needs and is proactive in ensuring that appropriate action would be taken if such a child is identified. Children benefit from the effective relationships the childminder has developed with parents, helping to ensure that children's needs are met at all times. Parents receive information about the childminder's policies and procedures and she uses daily

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

discussions, diaries, observations, photos and scrap books to share progress information with parents. Children behave well and are helped to learn to share and take turns. The childminder uses positive strategies for managing behaviour. This helps children to understand the boundaries set and behave well. The effective use of praise and encouragement ensures children feel valued and confident. Children are learning to understand their own and other's needs as the childminder gives children equal access to group activities and adapts them to their needs, for example, during a board game.

p.4

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 Children settle well into the childminder's home and are secure, confident and happy. They are able to develop independence and self-confidence as they are well supported by the childminder and the setting is homely and well organised. The childminder ensures that all persons with access to children are suitable vetted and effective procedures are in place for the safe collection of children. All required documentation is in place and is used effectively to provide for children's care, welfare and learning. The childminder has a good understanding of the needs of children. She updates her knowledge regularly and shows a commitment to further training. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous Inspection it was recommended the childminder keeps records of regular visitors and records arrival and departure times of minded children. This is now in place. The childminder was also required to make sure low level glass patio doors are safe. She has now fitted doors that have toughened glass to a British Standards.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • further improve outcomes for children from birth to three by using the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework.

p.5

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 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

p.5

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

p.6