Childminder in Hillingdon

Inspection report for early years provision

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161150 Unique Reference Number 27 February 2007 Inspection date Victoria Vasiliadis 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 2001. She lives with her four children, one of whom is aged over 16 years. They live in a residential area of Hayes in the borough of Hillingdon. The ground floor and one bedroom and the bathroom on the upper floor, are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under 8 years and she is currently caring for two children under 5 years on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is within walking distance of Botwell school, she is able to offer a drop off and collection service from the 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 satisfactory. Children's health and hygiene is promoted as the childminder maintains appropriate levels of cleanliness throughout her home. For example, children are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Children are protected from unnecessary illness as they do not attend if they have an infection. If the children have an accident there are appropriate procedures in place. However, parents written consent has not always been obtained prior to medication being administered to children. This is a breach of regulation. Also, written consent has not been obtained from parents' for the seeking of emergency medical treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of activities, which contribute to their good health. For example, they have daily opportunities to play outside in the garden, with a selection of equipment such as the trampoline, climbing frame, slide, cars and bikes. They also attend playgroups and children walk to the local school. These activities improve children's large motor skills and promote their physical health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet as the meals and snacks offered by the childminder are healthy and nutritious. This helps children begin to develop an understanding of healthy eating. For example, children are offered toast, sandwiches with a selection of fillings, fruit and raisins. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents', complying with any special dietary and cultural requirements to ensure children's individual needs are met.

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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 environment. This allows them to move around freely and play safely. The childminder has identified potential hazards and minimized these within the home. For example, safety gates restrict children's access to the stairs, low-level cupboards are fitted with child locks and smoke alarms are in place. The childminder has devised a written fire evacuation procedure and practises this regularly. This enables the childminder to evacuate her home safely in the event of a fire, ensuring the safety of the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The range of childcare equipment available means that children can eat and sleep in comfort using furniture appropriate for their age. For example, a booster seat that can be attached to a chair is available along with a travel cot for children requiring a sleep. In addition, all the furniture and play equipment is clean, in good condition, regularly checked and complies with safety standards. This ensures children are not harmed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's well-being is safeguarded by the childminder's knowledge and understanding of child protection matters. She is aware of the signs and symptoms a child may exhibit that could indicate they had been harmed and the procedure to follow to report such concerns. The childminder has also completed Safeguarding Children training to increase her knowledge.

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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 developing their language skills as the childminder talks to the children and encourages them to chat. Children enjoy quieter times as they listen to a range of stories that are read to them by the childminder. For example, the toddler enjoyed making sounds of trains and the different animals in the book. Children are learning to handle books appropriately, as the childminder encourages them to turn the pages gently and to look after the books.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a warm and secure relationship with the childminder, which enables them to extend their learning in a supportive and caring environment. The children's feeling of being secure are enhanced, as the childminder provides familiar daily routines. This provides a stable environment that helps the children to look forward to their day.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are becoming independent as they choose from a wide range of resources that are well organised and easily accessible to them. Resources promote learning and are enjoyed by the children. For example, the child enjoyed playing with the programmable 'Dora' computer with the support of the childminder. The resources offered to the children are fun and suitable for their ages and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children gain a positive image of themselves. They learn about the world in which they live as they play with a range of resources which reflect different cultures and gender. For example, play people, dolls, dressing-up clothes and books reflect positive images and are used by the children on a daily basis. The children learn through practical activities about festivals from a variety of world religions and cultures, such as Diwali, Easter and Christmas.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are settled and comfortable in the care of the childminder. This is as a result of the positive relationships with parents and carers. The childminder ensures that parents know how their children are progressing and developing as she shares information with them verbally on a daily basis, and has an informative folder in place with details of the service she offers and a selection of written policies and procedures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved as the childminder provides consistent boundaries and offers lots of praise and encouragement. Children enjoy close relationships with the childminder who encourages children to be respectful, caring and considerate towards others. There are several written policies available to parents that relate to the management of children's behaviour. For example, a discipline statement is in place, as are house rules and a behaviour management policy. The methods used by the childminder to manage children's behaviour are age appropriate.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder maintains most of the legal documentation required by Ofsted, in order to safeguard children and promote their well-being. However, she has not obtained prior written

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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 consent from parents' before administering medication, this is a breach of regulation. Also, written parental consent has not been obtained for the seeking of emergency medical treatment. The childminder has not ensured that those persons over the age of 16 years living at the premises have undergone checks, including a criminal records check.

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Organisation

Children’s well-being is supported as the childminder organises her time appropriately for the children, taking into account their routines and needs. This helps them to make progress and feel comfortable. Children are encouraged to make choices and self-select resources from low-level cupboards so that they are able to initiate their own play opportunities.

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Organisation

The childminder regularly shares information with parents and carers to keep them informed about their children. This contributes to the continuity in the children's care. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was required to make all areas used by children safe. She has now achieved this, thus ensuring the safety and well-being of the children in her care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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.

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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 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 written consent is obtained from parents prior to medication being administered to children • ensure all persons over 16 years are suitably vetted • obtain written consent from parents for the seeking of emergency medical treatment.

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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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