Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY347601 Unique Reference Number 31 May 2007 Inspection date Maria Therese Conroy 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 lives with her partner and her parents in Ruislip in the London borough of Hillingdon. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden, with play equipment for outside play. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She speaks English and Polish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for three children under five years, she is currently caring for two children under five years both on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are learning good hygiene practices throughout the day such as when they wash their hands before baking biscuits and eating food. Children are learning to keep their teeth clean as they have their own tooth brush and tooth paste in the downstairs bathroom, which they can easily access independently as a step is provided. Children's health is promoted as the childminder has taken positive steps to prevent cross infection for example each child has their

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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 own hand towel, toys are washed on a regular basis and baby equipment sterilized. The childminder has effective accident and medication procedures in place for example she has completed a first aid course, which ensures she is prepared for accidents should they occur.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning to eat a healthy diet, as they are provided with nutritious balanced meals. Throughout the day healthy snacks are provided such as a variety of fresh fruit including grapes, mangos and kiwi. Children can eat comfortably as they are provided with suitable age appropriate equipment and utensils to allow them to do so. Children confirm they enjoy their mealtimes at the childminder's.

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Helping children to be healthy

Throughout the day there are regular opportunities for children to enjoy fresh air and activities to promote their physical development and contribute to their good health. For example the enclosed garden has an excellent range of good quality equipment, such as a slide, miniature bouncy castle, and swing, sandpit and play house.

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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 very safe environment; they can move around and play freely as the childminder has taken positive steps to ensure children's safety is paramount. For example a stair gate is placed across the kitchen area to prevent children from having access when the cooker is on. In addition the childminder ensures sleeping babies are closely monitored as CCTV is available allowing her to continually supervise them while they sleep. Although the childminder has obtained written consent for some practices, she is yet to obtain consent for travel in the car and taking children on local outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a vast range of toys and equipment all of which are of good quality and age appropriate. There is a mixture of both manufactured plastic toys and hand made wood toys, most of which are at low level which make them easily accessible to the children. High chairs with harnesses are used with the children and child sized table and chairs, in addition child seats are available for travel in the car.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and is clear on the procedures for making a referral.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children play in a completely child friendly environment, there are lots of stimulating toys including a range of hand made wooden toys at low level allowing children to see clearly what is available and make independent choices. Children's music plays gently in the background as they play, creating a relaxed environment. Children enjoy completing puzzles and take delight when they put the last piece in and the childminder rewards them with a big smile and verbal recognition for example 'well done'. Children are learning to recognise the letters of the alphabet and numbers through playing games and completing puzzles. For example when the alphabet puzzle is completed, children point out the first letter in their name and the childminder's name.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a wide variety of activities including making biscuits. The childminder is extremely well organised and plans in advance, she has the necessary dough mixture ready, to enable the children to roll it out and cut out the shapes. Children enjoy choosing what shapes they will use and they talk about icing the biscuits afterwards, when they are cool. The childminder

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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 promotes language development as she talks to the children throughout the activity about what they are doing and asks questions such as 'what is it?'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young babies have a comfortable place to lie and lots of stimulating toys offering different textures surrounding them, for example teething toys, wipe clean books and soft toys. They enjoy bouncing up and down in the door bouncer and sitting in the 'sit and ride toys'. The childminder makes them feel secure as she gives them cuddles and lots of smiles, she talks to them affectionately in a gentle voice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a flexible activity plan in place however children are given plenty of choices throughout the day as to what they want to do. The childminder is very well prepared to allow children to ask for any activity. She tells the children what is available and shows them materials to enable them to make that choice. For example she asks if they want to do sticking and shows them the range of pompoms, stars and shiny materials available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with equal concern; their individual needs are being met by the childminder as she works in partnership with the parents. Very young children follow their individual routines throughout the day for sleep and feeding patterns. Children are beginning to learn about diversity as they take part in activities such as making Polish biscuits and Easter cards. The resources that children have access to include a few items that promote positive images; however this is an area that the childminder is currently developing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved as they are busy throughout the day. They are constantly being praised for their good behaviour and their achievements, all of which promotes their self esteem. The childminder speaks to children in a gentle tone and uses acceptable methods to deal with behavioural issues for example distraction.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in partnership with parents, they are given detailed written information about the service provided and the childminder's practices. A selection of information is available on display to the parents for example certificate of registration and first aid certificate. Parents confirm they are more than happy with the care given to their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children settle very well into the childminder's home. The play areas are organised to enable children to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder is well organised to allow her to sit with the children and spend quality time giving them the support and attention they need. Children of all ages are given equal attention throughout the day.

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Organisation

The childminder has written policies and procedures for most practices, a copy of which is given to parents. In addition a portfolio is available which contains information such as certificates of courses attended and public liability insurance is also shared with parents. Other documents are displayed around the home for example the Birth to three matters poster and the registration certificate. The childminder has all of the required regulatory paperwork in place.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 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): • continue to extend toys and resources and activities to include those which promote positive images of diversity. • obtain written consent from parents to take children on outings and in the car.

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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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