Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY253306 Unique Reference Number 27 June 2006 Inspection date Susan Elizabeth Tovey 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged two and seven years, in Cowley, in the London Borough of Hillingdon. The whole house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder works in partnership with her sister who is also a registered childminder. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any time when working alone and nine children when jointly minding. She is currently caring for one child who attends full time.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children to and from St Andrew's School and St Catherine's School.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are happy in the warm, friendly and clean home. The childminder has good hygiene procedures in place that enable children to be cared for in an environment that reduces the risk of infection. Children are protected from unnecessary illness and do not attend if they are contagious.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of healthy meals and snacks, which they eat sitting comfortably at the table, and enjoy sociable meal times with each other. The childminder takes into account parents' wishes and children's choices so that she can meet individual dietary needs. Children's independence is promoted as they have the opportunity to select their own snacks. They are able to access drinks regularly throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to either play outdoors or go for trips to benefit from fresh air and daily exercise. Children are developing a healthy life style and have a positive attitude towards exercise. This is because the childminder teaches the children the importance of being active with daily exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home is friendly and welcoming for children. Children use all available space well; they access the toys and equipment with ease. There is a range of suitable and well maintained furniture readily available to meet the children's needs. The childminder gives high priority to checking the toys to ensure they remain safe for the children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. Steps have been taken to ensure that hazards to children are reduced and appropriate safety equipment is in place. However, an emergency evacuation plan has not been devised or practised with children to ensure they can be evacuated quickly from the premises, if necessary.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected through the childminder's good understanding of her role and responsibility in child protection. She understands the procedures to follow if she is concerned about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have lots of fun and they play enthusiastically with a good range of toys and resources which fully promote their learning. They are curious and excited by the range of activities offered, for example, as they follow a nature trail in the garden, draw in their own special books and grow sunflowers in pots. Children develop their vocabulary skills as the childminder asks children questions and encourages them to chat. This also helps them to make sense of the world. Children have the opportunity to make music, listen to older children playing guitar and

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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 flute accompanying their singing. They learn to speak some French with the childminder, when two French children were cared for recently. The children enjoy counting and recognising colours and shapes as they divide the Lego bricks and small wheeled toys between them. They are using their imagination as they dress up and make a train from chairs and a sheet "we are off to France to see our friends".

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children involve the childminder in their play and they receive lots of warm, individual attention, which enables them to extend their learning and experiences. The childminder has a sound understanding of how children learn and progress. However, this could be developed further, for example by using the Birth to three matters framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are settled and confident because the childminder values and respects their individuality. Children are good at taking turns and sharing. They are very well behaved as the childminder provides consistent boundaries and offers a lot of praise and encouragement. Children enjoy close relationships with the childminder and they learn to respect and be caring and considerate towards each other. Children make themselves at home, they select toys independently and help themselves to drinks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides a meaningful range of resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increases children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, books, dressing up clothes and a range of small world people. Children are able to feel good about themselves and develop their self-image as the childminder has a positive attitude towards inclusion.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are happy and content because the childminder has a very good relationship with the parents. They work together to meet the child's individual care and developmental needs. Children's routines and activities are shared with parents daily.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel comfortable within the home environment. The childminder organises the day to include a good variety of indoor and outdoor play activities. This helps to ensure the progress of children's individual development and learning. They receive lots of warm, individual attention to promote their emotional wellbeing.

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Organisation

All documentation, to ensure the welfare and care of the children, is stored securely and made available for inspection. The childminder regularly shares these documents with parents, which keeps them well informed about the care that that is provided.

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Organisation

Children enjoy the time they spend with the childminder as she has a sound knowledge and understanding of caring for children and she meets their welfare and care needs effectively. Children receive continuity of care as their routines and achievements are shared between

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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 parents and the childminder. 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 the childminder was asked to ensure that the introduction to childminding practice course and the first aid training is completed and to gain further knowledge of the reporting procedures of suspected child abuse.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder's has in place a certificate of completion of the childminding practice course and a valid first aid certificate which were seen at inspection. She has obtained the government booklet on child abuse and is now familiar with the reporting procedures for suspected child abuse. As a result, the children's safety and well being is enhanced

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted has received one complaint relating to National Standard 1 and 7. The complaint was regarding a specific incident and recording of accidents and incidents. Ofsted carried out an investigation visit and found that the childminder was in breach of National Standards. As a result, two actions were set which the childminder completed and notified Ofsted in writing. The childminder remains qualified for registration.

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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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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): • improve fire safety by devising and practising an emergency evacuation plan • enhance provision for younger children, for example, through the use of the Birth to three matters framework.

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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 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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