Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY259794 Unique Reference Number 21 May 2007 Inspection date Kim Mundy 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 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 has been registered since May 2003. She lives with her husband and two daughters aged two and five years. They live in Stanmore in the London borough of Harrow. The whole of the house is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have one dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five. The childminder walks/drives to local schools to take and collect children, and she attends the local parent/ toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health and welfare is thoroughly promoted and they are learning good hygiene practices, for example, washing hands before meals and after toileting. Children are protected from unnecessary illness as they do not attend if they are infectious. Children are administered suitable first aid when necessary as the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. Good

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Helping children to be healthy

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 maintained for accidents and medication. Children's emotional well-being is met; they settle gradually in order to separate happily from parents/carers. As a result, children are very happy, secure and confident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children experience lots of fresh air and exercise and they really enjoy walking Betty the dog. The childminder makes good use of her garden and children develop good physical skills as they run, jump, slide and climb. They have good opportunities to widen their experiences on outings to the toddler group, library, farm and park.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy nutritious snacks and meals provided by the childminder and their individual dietary requirements are catered for. They sit together at lunch time which is sociable and relaxed. Children can help themselves to drinking water when they are thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, well maintained and welcoming home. There is a good range of suitable furniture and equipment to meet the children's individual needs, for example, travel cot, buggy, booster and car seats. Children play enthusiastically with a good range of developmentally appropriate toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder carries out a daily visual risk assessment of the premises and action is taken to ensure they are able to play in a safe environment. For example, a gate prevents access to the stairs and garden sheds are locked. The childminder has considered a suitable fire evacuation procedure, although the fire blanket is not easily accessible in the event of a fire. Children learn how to keep themselves safe by explanations given by the childminder throughout the day and they learn about road safety when going for walks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibility in child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are developing good language skills as the childminder asks them questions and encourages them to chat. They enjoy quieter times as they listen to stories such as Goldilocks and the three bears. Children are practising their early writing skills as they draw and paint. They involve the childminder in their play as they use play dough and they receive lots of warm and individual attention which enables them to successfully extend their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are using their imagination as they dress up and play with kitchen utensils. They are using their senses to explore play dough, sand and water. Children are investigating their environment and learning about living things as they dig in the garden and plant strawberries and tomatoes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They are making good progress in all areas of their development as the childminder has a good understanding of how children learn and develop through play and having fun.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a high regard for the children in her care and the confidence with which they relate to her demonstrates their sense of belonging. This is enhanced by displays of their creative work in the childminder's home. Children are developing a positive attitude towards differences in people through looking at books and celebrating festivals. When celebrating Hanukah the children made a Menorah with play dough.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn how to behave through the positive interaction and age appropriate strategies used. They are well behaved, kind and caring towards each other and purposefully occupied at all times. Their self-esteem is high due to the praise and encouragement given to individual small achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good partnership with parents and carers contributes significantly to the children's well-being. The childminder provides very clear and informative written feedback about the children's routines and activities. She has developed policies and procedures which she puts into practice to benefit the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is motivated and committed to providing a positive experience for children and their well-being is her priority. Her home is set out to provide a stimulating learning environment and children enjoy the free choice of activities. They use the available space in the home and garden to good effect. Their development is supported by the good range of activities provided within the home and experiences offered outside the home.

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Organisation

The childminder ensures that good information is available to parents about the service she offers. She has developed comprehensive policies and procedures to support her work in caring for the children. However, the childminder is not aware of the revised guidance regarding the complaints procedure to ensure the welfare of children is not compromised.

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Organisation

The children settle well and feel safe and secure. They are having a lovely time as their individual care, learning and welfare needs are promoted well. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was required to: complete a first aid course; extend resources to promote positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability; obtain written permission from parents for the seeking of emergency medical treatment; and to organise records and ensure they are readily available for inspection. The childminder has completed first aid training and she has organised her paperwork to include emergency consent from parents. There is a selection of toys and resources to promote children's awareness of diversity. As a result, this enhances children's care, learning and safety.

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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

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 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 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): • make the fire blanket easily accessible in case of a fire • update the system for recording complaints in line with new childminding guidance to the National Standards 2005.

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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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