Childminder in Richmond upon ThamesOfsted inspection, 7 Nov 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY295978 Inspection date 07 November 2005 Inspector Lorna Lorraine Hall

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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. He lives with his partner and their two children aged six, and two in East Sheen in the London borough of Richmond. The whole of the flat is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for one child at any one time and is currently minding one child. The childminder attends the local parents/ toddler groups. The family has a cat.

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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 supports children with special educational needs. He is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from daily outdoor activities that promote their good health and well being. Younger children are not strapped in their buggy for long periods when outside but are encouraged to walk, run and engage in physical play appropriate to their stage of development. For example, climbing play ground equipment. Consistent attention to hygiene routines, encourages the children to develop good hygiene practices. Like washing their hands before handling food and after visits to the toilets. Sanitized spray is also used to clean work surfaces, door handles and other areas used by the children. Effective systems are in place, to ensure the safe administration and recording of medication and the application of creams and ointments such as sun cream. A discussion took place with the child minder on the need to ensure that any written consent for the administration of medication is dated. There are no procedures, in

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Helping children to be healthy

place for children to receive emergency medical treatment or advice. This could compromise the children's health. Children enjoy wholesome nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day, These are freshly prepared by a qualified chef. To ensure that children who do not like vegetables get the required amounts, the childminder makes vegetable soup and stews for the children, which they eat more readily when served in this way. Care diaries enable the childminder to keep parents informed and to keep a record of children's daily food intake and to monitor the children's reaction to new foods. The childminder's extensive knowledge of food hygiene, ensures the safe storage and preparation of foods. Involving the children in cooking, planting and picking vegetables from the allotment promotes children's understanding of healthy eating, as well as showing them that the time spent preparing a meal can be fun.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to drink milk and water throughout the day according to their needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a well organised, spacious and child oriented environment which allows them to move around freely and independently. Effective measures are in place to minimise identified risks and to ensure the safety of children inside and

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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 outside the home. Frequent safety checks ensure that toys are safe and that none of them are broken or could cause injury. Due to recent trouble in central London, the childminder has put effective systems in place to safe guard children's safety on public transport. For example, parents receive regular text messages from the childminder. Children independently select quality learning resources which have been carefully selected to promote their all round development. A selection of child-sized furniture is available to support and encourage young children's independence. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and has documents that act as guidelines to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted appropriately. However, he was unable to produce " Government booklet

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in their environment confidently accessing age appropriate activities. For example, minded child closely examined a range of brightly coloured manufactured toys, before he went on to discover ways of using them. The child showed lots of emotions as he played enthusiastically with the different toys. This activity provides good opportunities for the minded child to use his senses to interpret different experiences and develop good hand and eye co-ordination. By interaction with and observing children the childminder ensures that all the children engage in purposeful and stimulating activities that enable them to learn new skills as well as providing them with enjoyment. The childminder has a limited knowledge of how to use the "Birth to 3 matters" frame work to ensure activities are geared to meet individual learning needs. Although, this appears to have little impact on the minded child, the childminder acknowledged that

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

further training would enhance the service he provides. There are many opportunities for children to develop their vocabulary during the daily routine. For example, everything that the childminder does is carefully explained to the children in language that they can understand. At the same time children are introduced to new words that are explained to them. Children benefit from outings to local child centred places of interest, which provide ample opportunities for them to socialise with their peers and engage in large scale play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children learn about the world around them through outings and activities that promote their understanding of other cultures. For example, visits to local play groups

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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 provide opportunities for the children to participate in celebrating festivals from around the world. The childminder is sensitive to the needs of the minded children and uses different strategies to ensure that they are happy and settled. Children's art work is attractively displayed in the main play room. This builds children's self esteem. There is good provision for children and families who have special needs. The childminder has a good understands how resources can be adapted to meet individual learning needs. Effective measures are in place to manage children's behaviour. Children benefit from lots of praise when they obey the basic ground rules that are consistently applied. Effective partnership with parents ensures consistency of care. Parents are informed about routines and, business arrangements that are in place. For example, parents

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are asked to read and sign contract and a series of written policies. Everything the childminder does is underpinned by a series of written policies and procedures. Care diary enable the childminder to contribute to their children's learning.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a good understanding of the information that must be passed on to Ofsted. The children made good progress in a well organised environment that enable them to participate in structured and free play. They make good progress due to the childminder's ability to exploit every opportunity to encourage learning through play. Records on the children are appropriately stored and meet requirements. Overall the provision meets the needs of all the children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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 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): • obtain a copy of "Government Child Protection" booklet • develop knowledge and understanding of the " Birth to 3 matters Framework" • obtain permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment or advise.

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The quality and standards of the care

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

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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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