Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY233906 Unique Reference Number 25 September 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 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 2002. She lives with her family in a house in Feltham. The whole of the childminder's house is used for minding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. She is registered for four children under the age of eight years. There are currently six children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Local parks, shops and schools are within easy walking distance. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family have a dog. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 satisfactory. Children benefit from a satisfactorily clean and maintained environment. They learn about personal hygiene through daily routines. Parents give prior written consent to administer medication, this ensures children receive the correct dosage according to their needs. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This means she can give appropriate care if there is an accident. The record of accidents lacks detail as it does not reflect specifically where the injury has been sustained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a range of healthy meals and snacks, encouraging them to develop good eating habits from a young age. All dietary needs are discussed with parents. The children often request the childminder to cook chicken pie, mashed potatoes, broccoli, sweet corn and carrots, as this is their favourite meal.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy daily outings to local parks, where they can run around and release their energy. They have regular use of the garden with a variety of suitable equipment to play with. These measures help to promote their good health and their understanding of healthy lifestyles.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from playing in a spacious environment. This allows them to move around and play without harming themselves. They have easy and safe access to a range of age appropriate toys. Children sit safely and independently during meal and snack times. The childminder has identified and generally minimised hazards inside and out of the home. The drain in the garden has not been made safe and this means that the children's safety is compromised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an awareness of safety-related issues. Children are aware of how to keep themselves safe whilst out and about as the childminder has regular discussions with them about road safety. Children are generally protected from fire, they are aware of the fire procedure and how to get out quickly and safely. The fire blanket is not kept in the kitchen where the children's foods are regularly cooked.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Generally the outdoor area is safe for children to enjoy fresh air and play with a range of equipment that promote their physical development. The childminder's knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and of the procedure to follow promote and safeguard children's welfare whilst they are in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled in the childminder's care. They enjoy a selection of activities and toys that are appropriate to their stage of development. The childminder offers support to young children to ensure they receive enjoyment. Young children are relaxed as they sit on the floor with the

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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 childminder and investigate the switches on the top of the plastic farm house. They smile as they hear the different animal noises that the different switches make when pressed, turned and pushed. The childminder encourages the children to repeat the names of the animals and goes on to ask the children to look for the plastic horse in amongst the farm animals in the toy box near by. The childminder takes an interest in the children when they look out into the back garden and hear the birds tweeting. The children attempt to make noises like the birds and vocalise "quack quack." This helps the children to learn about their environment. Children explore and investigate the toys available. They master pushing the handle on the spinning top up and down and enjoy watching the top spin around and around

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children progress in a stimulating environment. The childminder is caring towards them making them feel valued. She knows the children and responds to their individual needs effectively. The children's favourite toys are often available for them to play with. This helps the children to settle and enables them to have a more enjoyable time at the childminder's home. She talks to them and encourages them to be occupied by introducing different toys as they play. This encourages children to be interested in their play and helps them to make 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 play by for example, helping themselves to toys from the toy chest and toy boxes left available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder is caring towards the children and offers attention to help them feel confident. Children feel good about themselves and learn to show respect for others. They learn about diversity through a selection of resources and through casual conversation with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual care needs are discussed with parents. Their activities and experiences during the day are shared verbally with parents each day. This helps to promote partnership with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder generally uses effective and positive strategies when dealing with children's behaviour. They respond positively to praise and encouragement. The naughty step is where children sit as part of the childminder's time out strategy. This does not positively reinforce boundaries set by the childminder or encourage the children to feel valued.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are relaxed and settled in the childminder's care. They benefit from organised play space and resources that are accessible to allow children to select independently. Regular informal discussions with parents ensures continuity of care for the children.

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Organisation

The childminder generally maintains her paperwork adequately. Most policies and procedures are shared with parents, however parents have not been informed of the details of the procedure to follow if they have a complaint. The accident book lacks detail and although the children's

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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 records are kept siblings information is not individually recorded. There have been no changes to persons living in the home, however, the childminder has not notified Ofsted in writing changes to her personal circumstances. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

It was noted at the previous inspection for the childminder to provide written policies and procedures for parents to further enhance her provision. Some policies and procedures are in place which reflect her practice however, these do not cover all areas.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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 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): • ensure records and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision are maintained and provide written notification of changes to personal circumstances • make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint • take positive steps to reduce risks when cooking in the kitchen and ensure the garden is safe for outdoor play • review the use of the naughty step when dealing with children's behaviour

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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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