Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY317286 Unique Reference Number 02 November 2006 Inspection date Maria Therese Conroy Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2006. She lives with her partner and two children age two and four years in Ruislip in the London Borough of Hillingdon. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group, and takes children to the local park. The childminder has a pet cat and fish.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children under eight years at any one time and is currently minding two children under five on a part time basis.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's health is extremely well promoted by consistently high standards of hygiene. The childminder's home is spotless and well organised. The childminder teaches children the importance of hand washing routines and provides all the equipment they need. For example individual towels, soap and a step to encourage their independence. Good practice is reinforced through the use of educational play materials such as puzzles showing hand washing and brushing teeth. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate, which means she can give appropriate care to children if there is an accident.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides healthy snacks and nutritious meals, taking into account parents wishes. Sample menus show the use of a wide variety of fresh produce to promote healthy eating. Children can access drinks whenever they need to, which helps them to learn to recognise and respond to their bodies needs. Children develop their social skills through eating together at the table, where all the necessary equipment is available such as booster chairs.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which contributes to their good health. They benefit from daily walks and visits to the park. Children enjoy using the soft play at Swallow gym and use a variety of equipment in the garden including a slide, rocking car and sand pit.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play in a secure environment where they can move around safely and where high priority if given to their personal safety. The childminder takes precautions to prevent accidents for example using door stoppers and stair gates. She has been proactive in ensuring children's safety by carrying out regular fire evacuation practices with them and follows this up with discussions and specific fire activity and story books.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Both indoors and outdoors children have access to an excellent range of toys and equipment suitable to their age and stage of development. High chairs and booster chairs are used with harnesses and children travel in the car in age appropriate seating.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's well being is consistently supported as the childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues and a very good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse. Children's welfare is promoted within the setting as the childminder has a reciprocal arrangement with three other local registered childminder's to leave children in each others care in the event of an emergency.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and comfortable in the childminder's home. They have easy access to a good range of age appropriate play activities which are well organised, this enables children

p.3

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 to be independent in their choices. Children are able to ask for specific activities and the childminder has the materials and equipment readily available.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play very well together and their behaviour is good. Older children are caring towards the younger children and understand they have to be gentle with them. They have many opportunities for good social interaction with other children. Attending local toddler groups and playing with others teaches the children to share and take turns.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder organises purposeful activities to encourage children to learn about their environment. For example during a local walk the children collect leaves and talk about their differences. The next day the children have fun as they use them as part of a sticking activity, during which they compare the colours and shape of the leaves. One child gets excited as she uses one of them as a helicopter and shouts "look it flies" .

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Although the childminder does not formally plan activities, she does provide a variety of age appropriate play experiences throughout the day for children of different ages attending. For example while an older child sits at the table participating in a sticking activity, a very young baby is shown a large book with bright and colourful pictures. The childminder constantly talks to the baby giving eye contact and smiling to make him feel secure.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder meets children's individual needs by giving them a good amount of quality time and attention. Children's art work is displayed in the kitchen which enhances their self esteem and confidence. Children have excellent social skills. They are extremely confident and talk with ease to adults explaining how they have made home made cookies to go with a cup of tea.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children play well together and their behaviour is very good. they have many opportunities for good social interaction with other children. They attend local toddler groups, play with each other and learn to share and turn take. Children receive positive praise for example when the baby manages to hold a toy, the childminder responds to him by giving him a big smile and tells him how clever he is.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's are beginning to learn about differences within society as they have access to an excellent range of resources reflecting positive images such as dolls, puzzles, dressing up and musical instruments and skin coloured paper and pencils.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed a professional partnership with parents who are kept fully informed of how their child is progressing both verbally and in the form of a daily diary. The childminder makes parents extremely welcome into the setting. They receive a handbook containing all the necessary information about the service including policies and procedures when they start. Parents are given time to discuss any issues on arrival which means that the children are fully secure and very settled with the childminder.

p.4

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit considerably from the high commitment of the childminder to attend regular training. The childminder makes excellent use of her knowledge to develop the existing good quality care. The childminder provides a well organised environment for children to play safely, where they receive excellent support making them feel secure and confident.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder's portfolio evidences her commitment to providing good quality care for children. As well as extensive and well written policies and procedures, it includes many certificates from addition training courses attended. All of which are shared with parents, which ensures they are kept fully up to date with their children's care and progress. The childminder organises her paperwork effectively to ensure it is confidential but easily available if needed. All the detail required by regulation is accessible and up to date.

p.5

Organisation

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

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • develop activity plans

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.6