Childminder in Brent

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 137584 Inspection date 26 April 2005 Inspector Seema Parmar

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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 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 1992. She lives in Monks Park, in the London Borough of Brent, with her husband, an adult son and one school age child. Schools, shops and parks are within walking distance. Bus and tube services run nearby. The whole of ground floor and two bedrooms on the first floor are used with supervised access. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for four children under the age of eight years and is currently minding one child under five years, all day.

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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 has close links with the Early Years Development Childcare partnership and has attended training in first aid, health and safety, basic food and hygiene, child protection and child development. The childminder has English as an additional Language. She speaks Urdu and Punjabi and a little English. This registration does not include overnight care. This is a non smoking household and there are no pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from being cared in a clean and well maintained home. Their health is well supported by the childminder who has knowledge of good health and hygiene practices. For example, children are protected from cross infections at nappy changing times, as the childminder makes sure she wipes down the mat after each child's use. Children have access to outdoor play for fresh air and exercise, this promotes their wellbeing. Children's main meals and some drinks are provided by parents. Children are offered fruit at snack times, however, children's healthy eating choices are not always promoted, as the childminder provides cakes, crisps and biscuits. As a result, they have limited opportunities to develop healthy attitude's to healthy eating.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a home that is spacious and welcoming. Children have access to some suitable furniture and equipment, but not always. For example, at meal times, children are fed on the sofa. As a result, children's self help and independence skills are restricted by the lack of suitable seating. Children are well protected from harm, as the childminder takes proper precautions to minimise risk from her home. As a result, children enjoy the freedom to play safely and securely. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has an adequate understanding of the child protection and the reporting procedures to follow.

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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 The provision is satisfactory. The childminder ensures that the daily routine is familiar and provides a stable environment that enhances children's feeling of being secure. Children show interest and play with toys available. Children play with toys that are taken out daily. However, due to the storage and organisation of the toys and activities, children are not able to self select and make free choices about what they want to play with. Children enjoy a warm and close relationship with the childminder. For example, the childminder gives lots of hugs and cuddles and meets the children's individual needs very well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are met very well by the childminder. Children feel secure and have a sense of belonging, as the childminder adapts her routine to meet the care needs of the children. Children's self esteem and confidence is promoted as the childminder uses lots of praise and encouragement to motivate children. As a result, they are happy and well behaved. Children enjoy care that is warm and consistent as the childminder has developed good working relationships with parents. She gives daily feed back about the children's care and routine. Parents are reassured that their children are in a safe and loving environment.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminding environment is generally well organised as the childminder uses the dining room as the play room. Children have access to some toys and activities, which are taken out on a daily basis. However, to keep their interest and curiosity alert, the organisation of the toys and play materials will need to improve. Children's well being is promoted, as the childminder, has completed a First Aid course for young infants and children. As a result, the childminder has gained the necessary knowledge and practice skills to deal with children's minor injuries effectively. All records and documentation are very well organised and maintained. This contributes to the safe and efficient management of the childminding provision and to promote the welfare and care of the children. This means that overall, the needs of the children are met.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to complete a first aid course; maintain written records with the required details; use suitable and appropriate safety equipment for children; ensure that children have appropriate range of activities and facilities which promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice; and gain knowledge of the reporting procedures for child protection concerns. As a result: Children's well being is safeguarded, as the childminder has completed an appropriate first aid course which includes training in first aid for infants and young children. The childminder maintains records with the required details, this contributes to the safe and efficient management of the child care that is offered. Children are protected from harm, as the childminder uses suitable safety equipment to meet their needs. Children learn about similarities and differences about people in the diverse society,

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Improvements since the last inspection

as the childminder has introduced some multi-cultural books and dolls. Children's welfare is safeguarded, as the childminder has ensured that she has gained the necessary knowledge, of reporting procedures, if she has any child protection concerns.

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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): • promote children's health eating choices at snack times • organise toys and resources to encourage and promote children's choice and independence skills

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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 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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