Childminder in Ealing

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY219259 Inspection date 17 May 2005 Inspector Christine Bonnett

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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 2002. She lives with her two children aged 12 and 14 years in Northolt in the London Borough of Ealing. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five and one child after school. The childminder is not registered to provide overnight care. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder

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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 attends the local parent and toddler group. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and also of an approved childminding network. The family has a dog and a guinea pig as pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, family home that is clean and comfortable. Trips to the local park take place regularly so that children may benefit from healthy exercise as well as enjoying nature walks to look at the trees and squirrels. Children are well nourished with a diet that is appropriate for their age, and conforms to the wishes of their parents. The childminder makes good use of the "Birth to three matters" framework to support children's growth and development in their earliest years. Effective procedures are in place to protect children from illness and cross-infection. For example, cleaning the children's hands with antibacterial foam if they pick-up leaves and soil in the park. The childminder acts as a positive role model for children to observe good hygiene practices. They adopt them themselves, and develop an understanding of why they are important for the maintenance of good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she holds a current first aid certificate and so could give immediate assistance to a child should the need arise. Children's welfare is also safeguarded by the childminders in-depth knowledge and understanding of child protection matters. She knows the signs and symptoms a child may exhibit that could indicate they were being harmed and also the procedure to follow to report such concerns. High priority is given to keeping children safe in the home. Fire precautions, such as smoke alarms and a fire blanket are in place. However, the emergency escape plan has not been practised with children to ensure they can be evacuated quickly from the premises, should the need arise. All obvious safety hazards have been eliminated so that children are not exposed to danger. The separate and secure area

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

of the garden set aside for the dog's use is maintained to a good level of cleanliness to prevent any risk of contamination to children.

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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 good. Young babies are nurtured in a warm and comfortable environment in which they are relaxed and contented. The affectionate and gentle care given by the childminder enables them to develop a sense of belonging and trust. Good eye-contact is given to babies by the childminder and plenty of cuddles so that the child understands that they are valued by, and important to, their carer. Stimulation to encourage the all-round development of younger children is provided through a wide range of age appropriate play equipment. For example, sensory toys, a baby gym and age-appropriate books. Young babies derive obvious pleasure from tapping and kicking the objects attached to the overhead baby gym. Outings to pre-school groups and the local park also take place regularly to broaden the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are respected and valued as individuals. Their needs, such as diet and sleep patterns are discussed with parents and incorporated effectively into the daily routine by the childminder. She works closely with parents and provides written and verbal feedback about how their child has spent their day. This ensures children experience consistent care and parents are kept well-informed. Through the good variety of resources provided, children are developing a positive view of the wider world and increasing their awareness of diversity within society. Positive methods of behaviour management are used with children to enable them to learn right from wrong and maintain good self-esteem and confidence.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is highly organised in her daily routine to meet the needs of all the children. She is also very efficient about maintaining all required records. Written information is detailed, and kept up-to-date to ensure accuracy, thereby safe-guarding the well-being of the children. However, she needs to ensure that all frequent visitors to the home are suitably checked. The family home is very clean and offers sufficient space for children to play freely and safely. Detailed information about the childminder and her practices is given to parents to ensure that they are aware of the service they, and their child will receive. Through her frequent attendance on training courses and workshops, the childminder is enhancing her skills and knowledge of a variety of childcare related topics. For example, behaviour management and Birth to three matters. She is also a member of

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Organisation

an approved childminding network. As a result, the children's experiences in the care of the minder remain positive and in-line with current good-practice.

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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 Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was required to obtain permission from parents to take photographs of their children. Written permission is now obtained. This ensures that parents are aware that any photographs taken by her during the course of the day may be shown to other parents, and potential users of her service, to illustrate the work she does.

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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): • practise the emergency escape plan with minded children • ensure all regular visitors to the home are suitably checked.

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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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