St George's Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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117815 Unique Reference Number 08 November 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 has been registered for eight years. She is registered to provide care for no more than five children under eight years, however a temporary variation is in place to accommodate four children under five years. The childminder is not registered for overnight care. The childminder is currently minding four children under five on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband and two children. The family live in a house situated in a residential road in Hanwell, in the London Borough of Ealing.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The areas used for childminding are the through lounge; upstairs bedrooms are available for children to sleep. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has the CACHE Level 3 qualification in childminder practice, she is also part of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and 'Children Come First' Quality assurance group within the London Borough of Ealing.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder makes use of local resources within the area, such as parent and toddler groups, parks and childminders drop-in.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder encourages healthy eating with the children by providing a nutritionally balanced menu and healthy snacks in line with parents' wishes and dietary needs. For example children have salmon, broccoli and potatoes for lunch. Children's independence is promoted as they help to cut the banana and pear for snack time. They are provided with suitable equipment to allow them to sit comfortably at the table and enjoy their meals and snacks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a clean, hygienic home where they are learning good hygiene practices. Children are protected from cross infection as they have their own individual colour coded towels for drying their hands and all toys are cleaned on a regular basis. Medication and accident records contain all of the necessary regulatory requirements; in addition the childminder has an up to date first aid certificate which allows her to deal with minor accidents should they occur.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is committed to encouraging children's physical development throughout the daily routine and the activities provided. For example, the children walk to and from toddler groups every day and enjoy running around among the leaves in the 'Bunny Park'. They are learning to gain control of their bodies as they explore the soft play area in the 'Wacky Warehouse' and have an enclosed outdoor play area in the garden with suitable toys and equipment.

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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 safe and secure environment. The childminder has put in place a number of preventive measures to keep children safe. For example, a stair gate prevents young children from leaving the main play area without supervision. The childminder undertakes regular risk assessments including checking smoke alarms twice a year and ensuring the equipment used with the children for sitting at the table is safe. A written fire evacuation procedure is in place and practised with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a wide range of good quality toys, books and equipment all of which are age appropriate and of good quality. The childminder regularly checks the toys to ensure there are no broken pieces and replaces if necessary.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected as a well written child protection procedure is in place containing all the necessary contact numbers of relevant agencies. The procedure is shared with parents when they place their child and they sign to say they are in agreement, which ensures they are fully informed of the childminder's responsibilities. The childminder has a reciprocal arrangement with two other registered childminders in the area in the event of an emergency therefore children's welfare is fully promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children continually extend and promote their vocabulary and language development due to the excellent stimulation they receive from the childminder. For example young children

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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 confidently join in with a variety of their favourite songs and rhymes, which they recite from memory. They jump up and down enthusiastically as they sing 'dingle dangle scarecrow'. The young child sitting on the childminder's lap sequels with delight while watching and frantically waves her arms and legs with excitement as she joins in.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing their imagination as they take part in the extensive range of very well planned purposeful activities. For example, they design and produce pumpkins and spiders, which are attractively displayed around the hall area for Halloween. The theme is then extended as the children thoroughly enjoy dressing up as bats, pumpkins and a cat.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is exceptionally skilled as she successfully includes children of different ages in all the activities she provides. Children cuddle up as they share a story together. The older children are asked to count the caterpillars and the younger children enabled to touch the pages and feel the raised characters as the story is told. Older children delight in telling the childminder they are sharing the book.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Partnership with parents is excellent. The childminder provides a professional service for the parents of the children in her care. She is dedicated and committed to the children and their families and keeps parents updated with their child's care, achievements and well-being on a daily basis. An extremely detailed daily diary is completed for younger children and a 'what I did today' sheet for older children. In addition the childminder verbally communicates with parents when they arrive and collect their children. As a result the children are extremely well settled and secure in the childminder's care. A comprehensive portfolio is in place which is shared with parents, who all sign and agree to the policies and procedures in place. The childminder actively seeks parents' views to enable her to improve the quality of the service provided. Parents say they feel the overall service provided is excellent and the childminder

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Helping children make a positive contribution

has made their return to work stress free.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have excellent opportunities to learn about the diverse society in which they live. They participate in an extensive range of purposeful activities to promote their understanding of the different festivals that are celebrated within the community. For example, children thoroughly enjoy making 'rangoli' pictures and 'diva lamps' for Diwaili. In addition there is a very good range of resources that promote positive images of diversity, such as puzzles, dolls and books.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are extremely well behaved because they are cared for within a stimulating environment throughout the day. Children of different ages share, take turns and are kind and gentle to one another. The childminder is continually promoting their self-esteem and confidence, by telling them how clever they are and by displaying their art and craft work in a prominent place where they can show their parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is committed to providing a quality service to the families she cares for. She is part of the 'Children Come First' accreditation scheme which allows her to continually evaluate practices in all areas of her work. The childminder has gained the 'Level 3 certificate in

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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 childminder practice' and regularly attends short courses to continually enhance her knowledge and understanding of current legislation and improve her practices.

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Organisation

The childminder is very well organised, which allows her to spend quality time with the children in her care during the hours of childminding. Documentation is generally well maintained and clearly organised under the outcomes for children. All regulatory paperwork and requirements are in place; however the way in which information is recorded in the accident book does not ensure confidentiality. All the information relating to parents is easily accessible and up to date.

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Organisation

The setting meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 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): • make sure accident records do not identify other children involved by name

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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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