Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY279293 Unique Reference Number 12 June 2006 Inspection date Michelle Julie Gutcher 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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her family in a house in lower Feltham, bordering Sunbury and Ashford Middlesex. The ground floor of the property is used for minding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. There are currently four children on roll. Local parks, shops and schools are within easy walking distance. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family have cats. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder has good hygiene routines. Effective daily routines for nappy changing help prevent spread of infection. Children wash their hands before and after eating, after using the

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 toilet and playing outside. The childminder provides the children with individual towels and flannels; this reduces the risks of cross infection. The examples and good explanations that the childminder gives, ensure that the children are learning to follow safe hygiene practices, for example, encouraging older children to help clean the baby's face using cotton wool and water. The childminder has made sure that the children cannot reach the cat's dishes and litter tray, as they are placed out of children's reach. Most of the required documentation is in place, which means that children are cared for in accordance with parents' wishes. However, parents have not given permission for the childminder to seek emergency treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder does not currently provide meals for the children; however, she has a good understanding of healthy balanced diets and promoting children's awareness of healthy lifestyles. Mealtimes are followed according to the individual needs of the children. Children are relaxed and enjoy mealtimes together. Children benefit from a healthy varied diet. Dietary needs are regularly discussed and parents’ wishes are respected.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder follows good daily routines for the children, providing them with opportunities to play, rest and eat. Children are free to play in the garden with a selection of equipment, including play tunnels, wooden play house and a water tray. They enjoy regular walks and trips to the park where they can run and take advantage of the open space. The childminder also takes the children to the local toddler groups, where they are able to develop their physical skills using a variety of large motor equipment, for example, climbing frames, slides and a ball pit.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a well-organised and secure environment. The childminder supervises the children to a high level and allows them to move around and play safely. Toys and play materials are stored safely. Some are stored in toy boxes, and some set out on the floor, encouraging young children to explore and help themselves to toys safely. Young children master the art of moving the baby walker well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are sufficiently protected from the risk of fire. Smoke alarms and a practised fire-drill are in place and implemented. A fire blanket is appropriately sited in the kitchen. Safety precautions such as stair gates, toughened glass and child proof cupboard locks are in place, which means that the children are fully protected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The outdoor area is safe for children to enjoy fresh air and play with good quality equipment that is suitable for their ages.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected by the childminder's awareness of child protection issues and her responsibilities if she has concerns; however, parents are not fully aware of the correct procedure.

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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 good. Children are settled and very happy in the childminder's care. They enjoy a wide variety of activities and toys that are appropriate to their stage of development. The childminder offers lots of support to young children to ensure they receive maximum enjoyment. The childminder demonstrates exceptional skill at balancing her time effectively between meeting the needs of all children in her care. Children are becoming competent learners as they investigate the toys available to them. The childminder talks to the children, responds to their gestures and sounds and acknowledges their efforts to communicate. Young children receive lots of cuddles and enjoy being with adults they are familiar with and whom they trust.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children giggle and chuckle with smiley faces as they participate with the song and actions. Children are encouraged to participate in playing ‘This little piggy went to market’ all together. They spontaneously laugh with the childminder when they finish and show obvious delight. Children explore and investigate activity centres with enthusiasm. Children use great imaginations playing with the small figures in the dolls house.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children progress in a stimulating and caring environment. The childminder is warm, gentle and affectionate towards them making them feel valued. The children play with the pretend dentist mirror and ask: “mirror mirror on the wall who's the fairest one of all?" The childminder is quick to respond with the child's name. This gives the child obvious delight as she laughs and is made to feel good about herself. The childminder knows the children well and responds to their individual needs effectively. She constantly talks to them and spends time playing with them. This helps children to make good progress in their development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to make choices and decisions about their play, for example asking to play with the computer key board, which had been left in the wooden play house. Children are encouraged to help tidy their activity that they have finished playing with, before beginning to play with the next. Young children explore and experiment freely with a selection of items in the treasure basket. The items create curiosity and are fun to listen to and touch.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder helps children to learn about themselves through discussion and talking about events that have happened in their lives. Children are valued, respected and treated as individuals. Children are developing a positive attitude to others. They actively help one another, for example the older children talk about the younger children's needs. Children have access to a good range of play resources which show positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability such as books, jig saw puzzles, dolls and play food. They learn about the local community through visits to the local parks, toddler groups, library and shops.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder understands the importance of working in partnership with parents and other agencies who may be involved in the care of the children, so that she is able to meet the children's individual needs.

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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 toys and take turns through the simple guidance and good explanations given by the childminder. The children and the childminder share appropriately warm, close, caring relationships. This means that the children are confident and comfortable in the homely environment and are able to progress at a pace suitable to them. The childminder shows respect and understanding to the children. She provides them with lots of interesting and exciting activities and praises their achievements. They are aware of the boundaries that the childminder sets, consequently, because they feel secure and are aware of the daily routines, their behaviour is very good.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with the parents, sharing both written and verbal information about the children in her care and the service that she provides. Written contracts are kept and are reviewed on a six monthly basis.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Comments detailed by the parents in the children's diaries indicate their satisfaction with the good service and support, they and their children receive from the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children thrive in a child friendly, loving environment. They are happy, relaxed and very settled, consequently, they benefit from being cared for in a well-organised home. Children receive appropriate levels of support from the childminder and good relationships are fostered.

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Organisation

Children enjoy a wide range of stimulating and creative resources that promote their development in all areas. Resources are easily accessible and the childminder responds quickly to the children's interests and requests for particular activities.

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Organisation

Documentation is generally well maintained. Written policies are in place and are available to parents, although parents have not been informed of the correct procedure to follow if they have a complaint to make to Ofsted and permission from parents to seek emergency treatment is not in place.

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Organisation

The childminder has a very positive attitude towards training and her on-going development. She has an on-going commitment to her development and attends varied courses to enhance her knowledge and understanding in childcare

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Organisation

Information kept about the children is relevant, stored to maintain confidentiality and promotes their welfare. Regular verbal and written information is shared with parents to ensure continuity of the children's care. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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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.

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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 parents are aware of the correct child protection procedure • ensure all parents have given written permission to seek medical treatment in the event of an emergency

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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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