Childminder in Richmond upon Thames

Inspection report for early years provision

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510893 Unique Reference Number 17 August 2007 Inspection date Ann Moss 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 outstanding. 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 1990. She lives with her husband and two children aged 15 and 11 years in Hampton. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local park and library. The family have small caged pet.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the Richmond Childminding Network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive in a warm, child friendly environment because the childminder implements policies, procedures and highly effective daily routines, which support their welfare. Children

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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 learn about the importance of being healthy through the childminder's skilful support. For example, she talks to them about hand washing and gently raises their awareness of good practise through a picture-line. Children are encouraged to be independent in their self-care skills and as a result, confidently tell the childminder they are going to wash their hands before they eat. The childminder reduces the risk of cross infection by ensuring that children have their own tissues, flannel and hand towel. Children's accidents and medicine records are completed correctly and shared with parents ensuring that children are well cared for.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and kept hydrated. They are becoming aware that adequate and nutritious food is essential for their well-being as the childminder involves them in discussions about healthy eating and involves them in activities, for example, growing vegetables, such as peas and beans, which they later eat. As a result, children are beginning to understand where the food they eat comes from. The childminder has clear information on children's dietary requirements and works with parents to ensure these requirements are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Physical activity is highly regarded and there are good opportunities for all children to practise their physical skills each day. Children enjoy daily access to the garden where they can run and jump. They enjoy daily walks to and from school and often visit the park where they can undertake fresh challenges, such as using the steps to the slide or finding new ways to negotiate the climbing frame. Children recognise the changes in their body and rest when tired.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children's safety is very well fostered both indoors and outdoors. The childminder ensures all areas of the premises are safe through thorough risk assessment, being vigilant and supervising the children well whilst taking account of the activity and children's growing need for independence. High priority is given to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and maintain safety inside and outside the home. For example, children respond well to effective questioning by the childminder when she asks, 'How will you ensure you do not trip over?'. When out walking the childminder talks about crossing the road safely using the green cross code. The childminder has considered fire safety and evacuation and has a written evacuation plan in place, which she has practised with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All children have access to a superb range of quality toys and resources, which are suitable for their ages and stages of development and stored for ease of access. Resources have been carefully chosen to support children's play and are regularly checked for hygiene and safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder is knowledgeable about child protection and regularly updates her skills through attending courses and workshops. The childminder is careful to restrict other people's access into her home and to children whilst she is minding. She has well written policies and documentation in place, which she shares with parents to ensure they are well informed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thoroughly enjoy their time with childminder and become immersed in the extensive range of activities available, which they find interesting and stimulating. Children feel secure due to the caring and trusting relationships that the childminder has established with them. The childminder spends time talking to and getting to know them so that she can plan and

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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 present activities to meet their individual needs and interests. For example, she talks about events that are important to them and they respond well to her questioning, for example, the childminder asks, 'How many legs did the millipede have?' 'How big was the stick insect?' and 'What do you think a snake would feel like?' This helps children to think and respond confidently. Children listen avidly to a story and enjoy dressing up as a character in a story.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children show very good levels of independence as they initiate their own play and select their own resources freely. They are confident as they move from room to room during their play and ask the childminder for particular recourses they cannot find. Children have very good opportunities to socialise as the childminder invites a play mate to play. This helps children to build relationships and socialise promoting their social skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is sensitive to the moods of children and they have appropriate opportunities for quiet restful activities as well as activities that are more demanding.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's individual needs and characters are clearly understood and respected by the childminder enabling appropriate care to be given. All children are warmly welcomed into the homely environment and this contributes to their sense of belonging. Children have good opportunities to learn about society's diversity as the childminder talks to children about similarities and differences. The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase their understanding of others. She is sensitive to inclusion and adapts her provision to ensure all children are included and their needs fully met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is excellent because the childminder ensures that they are well stimulated. As a result, children are focused, interested and play in harmony. The childminder is sensitive and talks to children about their needs and the needs of others. This helps children to share and take turns and promotes respect and concern for others. Children are very polite and naturally say 'please' and 'thank you'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder gives a high priority to working in partnership with parents. She has comprehensive systems in place to share information, such as a well thought-out information pack, including policies and procedures, which are detailed and well written. A daily communication book further supports communication and the excellent pictorial evidence, which they know they can take home when their child leaves, records children's achievements and progress. This ensures that children's care and well-being is greatly enhanced.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children receive high quality care enabling them to thrive and develop self-assurance and confidence because the childminder is very effective in promoting the outcomes for children. The childminder has a qualification in childcare and a very good knowledge and understanding of child development. She is an active member of an approved childminding network and receives effective support through regular training groups she attends, training events and monitoring visits. She takes an active role in evaluating her own practice and identifies areas that need developing as well as responding to the recommendation made from the previous inspection.

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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 The childminder is well organised and plans her day effectively ensuring children's individual needs are fully met.

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Organisation

Comprehensive policies and procedures included in an extensive portfolio and well organised documentation help to ensure children are secure, safe and their welfare promoted. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to consider developing methods to record children's progress. Pictorial evidence is now in place, which highlights children's developmental achievement, which is shared with parents.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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