Childminder in Richmond upon Thames

Inspection report for early years provision

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510973 Unique Reference Number 17 December 2007 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 1992. She lives with her husband, adult son and 13 year old child in a house in Whitton, in the London Borough of Richmond. The ground floor only of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed garden, which together with local parks is used 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 caring for four children under five, who all attend on a part time basis. The childminder is a member of the local branch of the National Childminding Association. The family has a pet rabbit.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children follow good hygiene procedures, such as, washing their hands after play, and before eating. A picture notice reminding older children to wash their hands is displayed, at child height, over the sink in the toilet, which reinforces their understanding of good hygiene. The

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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 risk of infection to children is minimised by the childminder's policy of not caring for children if they are ill or infectious.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder maintains her first aid qualification and accident records indicate that first aid is administered appropriately for minor accidents. Written records are maintained relating to accidents and administration of medication, however, not all accident records contain parent's signatures. Parent's written consent is obtained for emergency medical treatment and detailed information is obtained, regarding any specific medical needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents choose to provide their own food, which the childminder reheats and serves at mealtimes. Younger children, sit in high chairs, and enjoy finger foods, such as, cucumber. The childminder feeds them their lunches which they enjoy. Adequate arrangements are made for older children, such as, sitting on a child height seat, using an adult stool as a table, to eat their packed lunch. Children learn about where food comes from through activities such as planting and growing tomato plants in the garden. They enjoy looking at photographs of themselves picking and eating the tomatoes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities for outdoor play and exercise. For example, they visit local parks where they use climbing equipment and slides, they play in the childminder's garden and regularly visit local parent and toddler groups and soft play areas.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a generally safe environment where they are well supervised by the childminder. Space is well organised and used appropriately enabling children to play and eat safely. They have access to a good range of play materials and equipment that are safe and in good condition. Play equipment is set out on mats on the floor, at a child height table enabling children to play safely, and in some containers that children can help themselves to safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Adequate safety precautions, such as, a stair gate and socket covers are in use, and cleaning materials and medication are stored out of children's reach. High chairs, are provided for younger children to sit in while eating, these are in good condition and safe. A travel cot is available, however children sleep in their buggies as they do not like sleeping in travel cots. Although this meets children's individual needs, no additional equipment or bedding is provided, providing a comfortable alternative for children needing a longer period of sleep. Low glass panels in a door in the kitchen are covered with cardboard to protect children, and children are well supervised by the childminder in this area, however there is a crack in one panel, which poses a potential risk to children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Smoke alarms are fitted on each floor and tested regularly. The childminder's evacuation procedure ensures plans are in place to evacuate the premises safely in an emergency. Records indicate this is practised regularly with the children, which reinforces their understanding of the evacuation process. A fire blanket is provided, and easily accessible, however this is not fitted to manufacturer's instructions, which results in it being difficult to operate in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children gain an awareness of their own safety through reminders from the childminder to be careful in their play. Older children recognise they cannot use small toys on the floor, when younger children are present, and play happily at an adult height table, making sure younger

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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 cannot reach small toys. Children’s welfare is protected by the childminder's awareness of child protection issues and knowledge of the procedure to follow if they have concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and relaxed in the childminder's care. They enjoy their time with each other and the childminder, and have access to a good range of play materials, which are age appropriate and encourage their development. A range of play materials are set out on mats on the floor and a child height table encouraging younger children to explore and investigate. They pull themselves up on the table, press buttons and turn knobs on pop up toys, look at themselves in a mirror, and pull a toy caterpillar along. They laugh at each other and when an older child hides from them behind a chair playing 'peek a boo'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are well supported in their play by close and affectionate interaction from the childminder who sits on the floor with them, close by, as they investigate play equipment. She encourages their language development by talking to the children continually and asking questions. Younger children are reassured and comforted when they are tired or become distressed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children enjoy playing with materials such as play dough, and small cars and trains at an adult height table. They roll the play dough out, use cutters to make pancakes, and press the play dough into shapes, chatting about what they are doing as they play. They enjoy sitting close to the childminder and looking at a book while the younger children are asleep. They have great fun poking their fingers through holes in the page to make a rabbit. The childminder links this to a discussion about how the child helped to feed the childminder's pet rabbit and what rabbits like to eat.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children regularly attend local pre school groups with the childminder, where they have opportunities to socialise with their peers. They enjoy regular outings with the childminder, and recall places they have visited and their friends, when looking at photographs of themselves at the park, visiting a farm and feeding the ducks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are well known by the childminder and their home routines, relating to sleep and eating patterns, followed, which provides familiarity and helps children feel secure. Children behave well, they are happy and interested in their play and exploration. They respond to the childminder's calm and consistent manner and receive reassurance, encouragement and praise for their positive behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have opportunities to learn about the world they live in, they use resources such as play figures and books that reflect diversity, visit groups and places of interest in the local community with the childminder and take part in activities relating to festivals such as Christmas, diwali and Chinese New Year with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Information is shared well between parents and the childminder through daily verbal discussion and clear written information being provided when needed. This results in children receiving continuity of care and helps them feel secure and settled in the childminder's care. The

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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 childminder has provided questionnaires for parents to complete, their responses praise the childminder's care and reflect that they are very happy with the care she provides.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder plans and provides a good range of play experiences and activities for children in the home, and by visiting local resources for young children, that she hopes children enjoy and that encourage their development. She provides a good selection of play materials and equipment and organises the home environment to meet children's needs.

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Organisation

The required documentation and written records are in place and maintained, with the exception of all accident reports being signed by parents. Written information is clear and well organised, additional written information, such as, polices and procedures are provided for parents, and the childminder is in the process of developing individual record books for all the children.

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Organisation

Children's health and safety are generally well protected, with the exception of alternative arrangements for younger children to sleep comfortably being in place, the safety of low glass panels in a door and the fire blanket being fitted according to manufacturer's instructions.

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Organisation

The childminder has a strong commitment to increasing and developing her childcare knowledge. She has recently completed a childcare qualification through the Open University, with a long term view of working towards a Foundation Degree in Childcare Practice. She has booked to attend training to update her first aid qualification and child protection training in 2008. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

During the last inspection recommendations were made regarding the childminding maintaining a first aid qualification, extending her knowledge of notifiable diseases, obtaining parent's permission for emergency medical treatment and ensuring children have access to resources that reflect diversity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has attended first aid training and has booked another course to update her qualification before the next expiry date, she has detailed information regarding infectious and notifiable diseases in place, which she would refer to if needed, parent's written consent for emergency medical treatment is obtained and a range of play materials are provided that reflect diversity, encouraging children's awareness of the world they live in.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the 1st 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. 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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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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): • review arrangements for children's rest and ensure the area used for rest is safe • ensure low glass panels in door are made safe • ensure fire blanket is fitted according to manufacturer's instructions • ensure all accident reports are signed by parents

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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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