Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY340599 Unique Reference Number 30 July 2007 Inspection date Michelle Julie Gutcher 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 registered in 2006. She lives with her family in a house in Feltham, in the London Borough of Hounslow. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. Local shops, schools and parks are all within easy walking distance. The childminder is registered to care for five children under the age of eight years at any one time. There are two children currently on roll. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children begin to learn about good hygiene as part of the daily routine. They wash their hands after using the toilet and before meals. The childminder’s home is clean and well maintained. Effective procedures are in place to protect children from illness and infection. The childminder ensures parents are fully aware of her policy with regard to this. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate, this means that children receive appropriate care if there is an accident.

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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 Parents have given permission for the childminder to seek emergency treatment from medical professionals, however, they have not given her permission to administer emergency pain relief.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children sit together at the table to enjoy the range of nutritious meals and snacks provided by the childminder. For example, children serve themselves slices of water melon and grapes from a plate at their morning snack time. The childminder has a good awareness of the importance of healthy eating for children. They enjoy the opportunity to take part in cookery activities such as, chocolate rice crispy cakes. The childminder understands the importance of encouraging them to drink and she monitors their intake to ensure they do not become dehydrated or go thirsty. A jug of water, together with different flavoured squashes are left on the dining table and children freely help themselves by pouring their chosen drink into coloured beakers.

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Helping children to be healthy

The daily routine is planned to ensure children have time to play in the fresh air and undertake regular exercise. Children play in the garden enabling them to run about and move around freely. Children regularly visit local parks to enable them to use a range of physical play resources. They develop balance and co-ordination as they climb with agility on the climbing apparatus. They release lots of energy by playing football. Children undertake frequent and robust exercise to enhance their physical well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home is friendly and welcoming for children. Children use all available space well; they access the toys and equipment with ease. There is a range of suitable and well maintained furniture readily available to meet the children's needs. The childminder gives high priority to checking the toys to ensure they remain safe for the children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to explore independently as the childminder has made her home safe and secure. For example, there are locks on kitchen cupboard doors and a stair gate is sited on the landing of the first floor. This restricts the minded children from accessing the bedrooms and second level of the house. Children are well protected in emergency situations because the childminder has clearly thought about the fire escape plan and the system for contacting parents in an emergency situation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities in child protection. She is very clear about the necessary procedures to follow if she has concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder provides a warm and friendly atmosphere. The children feel settled and secure because the childminder supports and maintains good interaction with the children. She sits on the floor with them as they fix together the foam interlocking shapes and create a castle. The childminder encourages the children to look for appropriate pieces to use in their game and they successfully find a draw bridge, a dragon, a cannon and several different knights. The children question the name of the catapult and are interested to hear the childminder telling them what it is used for.

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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 Children are confident and relaxed as they choose to play with the pretend play cooker. They explain that they are opening the café today and play imaginatively with the pretend foods. Children talk about their planned trip to the park. They become excited as they describe the fun they are going to have when they fly their home-made kites. The childminder and children spend time looking at recent photographs of them all flying kites at the park.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder demonstrates skill at balancing her time effectively between meeting the needs of all the children in her care. Children settle well and make good progress because the childminder has knowledge and understanding of how to offer appropriate support. Children are happy and eagerly discuss their recent experience at the library. They explain they are taking part in the "Big Wild Read." They are keen to read six story books through the summer holidays as they will receive a medal as a prize.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans her daily routine in advance to ensure that all individual needs are met. She is enthusiastic with the children, making them feel valued and welcome in her home. She has a good awareness of their individual needs and responds to them effectively. She constantly talks to them and spends quality time with them, which helps children to make good progress in their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder treats the children with respect and pays attention to helping them feel confident and cared for. Children feel good about themselves and learn to show consideration for others. They learn about diversity through a selection of resources such as, books depicting positive images of diversity, small world figures, posters and through casual conversation with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children enjoy the company of the childminder and her family. They interact well and treat minded children as part of their family. Her own children are happy to share toys and enjoy engaging with minded children. The childminder uses effective and positive strategies when dealing with children's behaviour. Children understand what is expected of them as the childminder offers clear explanations. Children know that if they do something well they receive a sticker. They wear the stickers with pride and this makes them feel good about themselves. The childminder has a clear behaviour policy in place. Children are well-behaved and feel safe and secure. They respond positively to constant praise and encouragement. Children enjoy being told that they have done something right by the childminder. They like to hear her tell them, "Well done!" This promotes their self confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a friendly and professional approach with parents. Her partnership with parents is good. There are both formal and informal systems in place for parents to share information about children's individual progress and development. This means children receive continuity of care. Policies and procedures are shared with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children thrive in a relaxed, child-friendly and loving environment. They are happy, relaxed, very settled and benefit from a well-organised home. Children receive good levels of support from the childminder and trusting relationships are fostered. The childminder's daily routine is well organised and planned to meet the children's individual needs. The childminder uses

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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 her time effectively and her flexible and sensitive approach allows children the opportunity to organise and pursue their own play.

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Organisation

The childminder's written policies and procedures underpin the good practice carried out. A set of written policies is available for parents. She has taken on board the recent changes to the regulations. Children's individual development is monitored by the childminder and records are reviewed regularly. Parents have not given permission for the childminder to administer emergency pain relief. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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): • ensure parents give permission to administer emergency pain relief

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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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