Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY282563 Unique Reference Number 15 June 2006 Inspection date Kanwal Sonia Lobo 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 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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her adult son and daughter.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

They live in a three bedroom house on the Inglis Estate in Mill Hill in the London Borough of Barnet.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The areas of the home that are used for childminding purposes are the lounge and kitchen. One of the bedrooms is available for rest. The rear garden is currently not used by the children. Local amenities include a children's playground and library. Local schools and bus routes are within walking distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children under eight years. There are currently three children on roll and they attend at different times and days of the week.

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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 a member of the National Childminding Association. The family do not have any pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. Although some of the children attending are very young, they are beginning to learn about the importance of hygiene through the care routines in place such as washing their hands at relevant times. As a result they are protected from some harmful bacteria and germs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children needing medication are assured of receiving and benefiting from the correct medicine as systems are in place for the administration of medication. Although children get swift and appropriate help if they have an accident due to the childminder's knowledge of first aid, written parental consent has not been obtained for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the freshly prepared and nutritious meals and snacks such as fresh fruit. There is always a drink readily accessible to them and they are able to access this independently.

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Helping children to be healthy

Although children do not have access to an outdoor play area they still receive fresh air and exercise on a daily basis. They enjoy going for walks to the park, library and local nursery. This provides them with opportunities to use large outdoor play equipment such as slides and the swings. They are able to develop a range of physical skills as well as their fine motor skills when indoors drawing and colouring.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Positive steps have been taken to minimise hazards and risks within the home. However, the systems in place to identify risks are not yet robust. Consequently, children are exposed to risks in one area of the home and this compromises their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Supervision of children includes ensuring they are in sight or hearing of the childminder. The sleeping arrangements for babies when resting upstairs has regard for children's privacy, safety and well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The protection of children against abuse is considered by the childminder to be of paramount importance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from the childminder's understanding of what to do in the event she suspects a child is being abused. As a result, children at risk would be identified and the necessary action taken quickly.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from building positive relationships. This is encouraged through the childminder settling them in at their own pace to enable the transition from home to her care easier. Children are forming friendships and in the main, they are able to express their needs to the childminder in the knowledge that they will be acknowledged.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are engaged in activities most of the time that are age appropriate and provide some enjoyment. The balance of activities allows children to be involved in active play and quieter activities such as reading and colouring. Children are able to independently select toys to play with and engage in activities they wish to take part in.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Learning right from wrong is promoted well with the children. They respond positively to requests for them to take turns and share toys. This leads to children beginning to respect the feelings of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are beginning to share their experiences and the childminder listens and values their contributions. This in turn helps children to feel secure and included. Although children's own beliefs are reinforced through the care they receive, resources that reflect positive images of diversity are limited.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with special needs are welcome and consideration is given to ensuring that children feel part of the group. There are systems in place to support children with special needs which include working closely with parents and seeking other professional help.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Most children are well behaved and respond well to the childminder. They receive warm care and attention. The use of positive language and sensitive interaction, helps them learn to manage their own behaviour. Children benefit from the consistent and positive approach to the management of their behaviour. They are helped to understand their actions through explanations, which in turn contributes to forming positive attitudes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are supported well from the partnership between staff and their parents. There is a regular exchange of information about issues relating to children's behaviour, health and well-being.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has a developing knowledge and understanding of the National Standards for childminding. She shows a commitment to her personal development and to updating her knowledge with new information such as Birth to three matters.

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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 space is used well to meet the individual needs of the children attending and they are familiar with their surroundings. As a result, children know where in the home they are able to eat, rest and play.

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Organisation

Children's needs are identified through the communication the childminder has with parents, and her record keeping, which contributes to continuity in the children's care, although there is a weakness with the systems in place for recording children's attendance. The childminder uses some of the policies and procedures effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children.

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Organisation

The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, three actions were raised and these have now been met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder agreed to assess the risks to children in relation to alcohol, sharp knives, low level glass and loose long cabling and take action to minimise these. She agreed to ensure the sleeping arrangements for babies are safe and appropriate and to make sure all the required documentation is in place and maintained to include the relevant information. The childminder has now moved the alcohol, loose cabling and sharp knives out of children's reach. The low level glass in the display unit in the lounge has been covered with safety film. As a result, children can access some areas of the home which have been risk assessed for their safety. However, in one area of the home there remains a weakness in safety which the childminder is willing to address.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Appropriate sleeping arrangements are now in place for a child needing to rest and this ensures children's safety and well-being. Most of the required documentation is in place. However, the childminder has overlooked ensuring written consent for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment is obtained from parents.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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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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

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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): • obtain written parental consent for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment. • improve children's safety with regards to identified potential risks and hazards in the upstairs bathroom. • provide more opportunities for children to access toys and resources which reflect positive images of race, culture and disability.

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The quality and standards of the care

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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