Childminder in Hillingdon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 138882 Inspection date 23 June 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and ten years in Hillingdon, in the London Borough of Hillingdon. The whole 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five on a part time basis and two children over five after school. The childminder is not registered to provide overnight care.

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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 drives to local schools to take and collect children. She is a member of a local childminder support group. The family has three cats and a budgerigar. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted as the minder sustains a high level of cleanliness throughout her home. They are developing good self-care skills as they are encouraged to wash their hands before meals and after using the bathroom. Hygiene levels could be enhanced in the bathroom to prevent the risk of cross-infection by providing individual towels for children. Children's individual dietary needs are met by the childminder as she provides a range of healthy snacks, such as fresh fruit, and plenty of drinks throughout the day. Children are developing well physically as they have access to a well maintained garden. Here they have the opportunity to run, swing and slide in a secure environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children learn how to keep safe on the road by staying close together when walking, and how to cross roads safely. Keeping children safe in the home is also given high priority, particularly in the event of an emergency. Smoke alarms are fitted and an emergency escape plan has been devised and practised to ensure the quick and safe evacuation from the home, should the need arise. Younger children are protected from the potential dangers of small objects, such as marbles and Lego bricks, by the childminders vigilance in ensuring that they are kept out of their reach. The home is free of clutter and spacious. This enables play equipment to be easily seen and cleared away, as appropriate. Well-maintained and clean furniture and equipment is available to meet the needs of all the children. For example, travel cots, highchairs and car seats. Children's welfare is safeguarded through the childminder's good understanding and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

knowledge of her role and responsibility in child protection matters.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have fun as they play with a good range of toys and resources and are content. The childminder plans activities to meet the needs of all the children in her

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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 care, whatever their age. Children are also able to self-select what they wish to play with. The Birth to Three Matters framework used by the childminder supports children's learning in their earliest years. Vocabulary is being extended through regular story-times and rhymes. The childminder also encourages younger children to count and identify different colours. A balance of quiet and more physical activities are available to suit the immediate needs of the children after a school day. For example collage and dancing. They particularly enjoy karaoke sessions. Children are making good progress in all areas of development because the childminder has a sound understanding of how children learn

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Younger children are gaining self-confidence and trust through forming close relationships with each other and the childminder. Warm, affection and care is given that enables them to develop a sense of belonging and trust. Children are well settled and comfortable in the home as the childminder has a positive attitude to working in partnership with parents. This means that there is consistency of care and all relevant information is exchanged regularly. The range of resources reflecting different cultures enables children to learn about the world in which they live. The childminder understands the importance of encouraging children to respect themselves and others. Knowledge needs to be gained of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to ensure she fully understands the requirements. Children are very well behaved as the childminder applies consistent boundaries and gives plenty of praise and encouragement. They are learning to be independent and

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The excellent organisational skill of the childminder has ensured she is able to provide places for a number of children as required by the parents and effectively meet their needs. The written policies and procedures are put into practise to ensure children are well cared for in a warm and secure environment. The childminder is keen to develop her knowledge and skills for the benefit of the children by undertaking a quality assurance assessment and keeping up-to-date with current childcare issues

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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 last inspection, the childminder was required to produce play-plans to show how the needs of all the children from 0 to 8 years would be met. This has now been done and a list of appropriate play activities has been devised and put into practice. Written records have been amended to show that Ofsted and not the local authority is the regulator of the service and a book for recording existing injuries has been introduced.

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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): • gain knowledge of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, for example by obtaining a copy of the "Early years and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. What service providers need to know". • provide individual or disposable towels for children in the bathroom

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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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