Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY316978 Unique Reference Number 25 March 2008 Inspection date Jane Nelson 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 was registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and three, in a house in Twickenham, Middlesex. The whole of the ground floor and a bedroom on the first floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding three children, aged under five, who all attend on a part-time basis. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder works in a local pre-school group on a part-time basis, when she is not childminding.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have good opportunities for outdoor play and exercise, which encourages their physical development and good health. They have opportunities for daily play in the childminder's

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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 garden, and make regular visits to local parks and indoor soft play areas, where they can use climbing equipment.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a current first aid qualification. Records relating to accidents are maintained, and indicate that basic first aid is applied appropriately for minor accidents, however, one record does not contain children's full names. Systems are in place to record administration of medication and parents' consent for emergency medical treatment is obtained. The childminder's policy of not caring for children if they are unwell or infectious, limits opportunities for infectious illnesses to spread.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children gain a good awareness of their own personal hygiene, they go upstairs to wash their hands as soon as they return home from pre-school and are reminded to do so after using the toilet. Notices and signs in the bathroom remind children how to wash their hands, and individual hand towels are provided, which limits the spread of infection. Children wear protective aprons when mixing flour and water to make play dough, and know these are to keep their clothes clean.

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Helping children to be healthy

Menus reflect a healthy, balanced diet, which encourages children's good health. Children are thirsty on their return from pre-school and enjoy their drinks of juice and water. They have a packed lunch at pre-school, before returning to the childminder's home and a hot meal is provided later in the day after the school collection. Snacks of fresh fruit are provided daily.

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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 welcoming home where space is well organised to enable them to play, rest and eat safely. A good selection of safe toys and play materials are set out in the living room, on low shelves and a table. Play materials, such as, books and dressing up clothes are stored in easily accessible wicker baskets, enabling children to play, and help themselves to toys safely. There is clear floor space for children to play safely, and they make themselves comfortable on the floor to look at a book with the childminder. Safe equipment such as, child size tables and chairs are provided and used by children for play and to put their drinks on. A small table is used in the kitchen for children to stand at safely, and mix the ingredients for play dough.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well supervised by the childminder and encouraged to gain a good awareness of their own safety. For example, they use the stairs carefully, holding on to the banister and walking close to the wall, when they go upstairs to wash their hands. They know to be careful in the kitchen, when they are mixing the play dough and are aware when some water is split on the floor they might slip. Although children are supervised well in the kitchen, the cupboard where cleaning materials are stored is not fully secure. The childminder has safety precautions such as stair gates available for use on all ground floor doorways, if younger children are present, to ensure they cannot access the stairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder's evacuation procedure means that plans are in place to evacuate the premises safely in an emergency. The procedure is discussed with children and fire exits are labelled with red stickers positioned at children's height. Children know they would need to look for these to find the way outside if there was a fire. Fire precautions such as smoke alarms, a fire blanket and small fire extinguisher are in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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's welfare is protected by the childminder's awareness of child protection issues and the procedures to follow if she has concerns. Written information about the childminder's responsibilities is included in a parents' policy pack which is given to all parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and enjoy their time with the childminder and her own child. They are busy and interested in their play, and have great fun putting on aprons, and mixing the ingredients to make play dough. They scoop flour out of a bag of flour, and with the childminder's help pour this into a bowl, then slowly add coloured water, mixing the flour and water together. The childminder helps children to mix the ingredients, and they talk about how the mixture is changing colour and consistency.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have access to a good range of play materials and equipment that they enjoy using and that encourage their interest and development. They are able to make decisions about their play by choosing from a good selection of accessible play materials and responding to the childminder's suggestions. Children use their imagination, looking through the dressing up box, and putting on a fairy dress and tiara, talking about the characters they have dressed up as, and dancing with each other to music. They benefit from close and supportive interaction from the childminder who helps them join together a large floor number mat to make a hopscotch pattern, and encourages the children in counting as they join the numbers together. The childminder lies comfortably with the children on the floor as they look through a 'Puff the Magic Dragon' book and sing along to the songs related to the story, which are played on a

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Opportunities are provided for children to socialise with their peers in a larger group, during visits to local indoor play areas, during outings made mainly during school holidays.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have opportunities to learn about differences and diversity through a range of experiences that help their understanding of the world they live in. For example, finding out about different festivals, such as Chinese New Year, writing their wishes on wish favours and taking them home. The childminder is creative in making her own books reflecting children around the world and a book about different feelings, which she uses to promote discussion with the children. Children also have access to books and dolls that reflect diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well, they are busy and involved in their play, if any disputes occur they are resolved quickly and children's attention soon diverted to another activity. Children receive clear explanations from the childminder about why they need to be careful and share with each other. Children receive praise and thanks for positive behaviour, such as putting their shoes on ready to go out, which increases their self-esteem and confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Information is shared well between the childminder and parents, helping children to receive continuity of practices and routines they follow at home. Daily discussion takes place with parents, and information relating to what children have eaten and activities they have done during the day is recorded in home diaries that children take home each day. The childminder is aware of ensuring that information from school or the pre-school group children attend is

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 passed onto parents. Written policies are given to all parents, providing points of reference and clear information about the childminder's service.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder plans and provides a good range of activities and play materials that children enjoy and that encourage their interest and development. The necessary written records and documentation are in place, maintained and well organised. They contain the relevant information with the exception of an accident report not containing children's full names. Written information is clear and well presented, providing clear information for parents and meaning the childminder can easily locate information when needed. The childminder is clear about her different roles as a pre-school member of staff and a childminder.

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Organisation

Children's health and safety are protected, with the exception of a kitchen cupboard where cleaning materials are stored being fully secure.

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Organisation

The childminder has a good commitment to increasing and updating her childcare knowledge, is aware of current developments in childcare and regularly attends training provided by the local authority, both in her role as a childminder and as a pre-school member of staff. She has recently completed an NVQ Level 2 qualification in childcare and is currently awaiting her qualification certificate. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the childminder's first inspection since completing registration.

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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. 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 the cupboard where cleaning materials are stored is fully secure • ensure children's full names are recorded in accident reports.

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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 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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