Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY217089 Unique Reference Number 25 July 2007 Inspection date Bharti Vakil 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 satisfactory. 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 since 2002. She lives with her husband, one adult daughter and two school aged children in Northolt in the London borough of Ealing. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. The garden is not available for outside play. The childminder takes children out daily to child friendly places such as toddler groups, parks and activity centre.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding five children. The childminder walks and drives to local schools and pre-school groups to take and collect children.

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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. Children benefit from being cared for in a clean and well cared for family home. Children's health and welfare is promoted positively. Children are learning good hygiene practices as they wash their hands before eating and after toileting. The childminder wears protective clothing to minimise cross-infections, for example, when changing nappies. Children are well protected from the sun as parents are required to provide sun cream and hats.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is supported by the sound policies and procedures in place for accidents, medication administration and seeking emergency medical treatment. The childminder has completed first aid training which ensures that children receive appropriate emergency attention if needed. Children are protected from unnecessary illness because the childminder ensures they do not attend if they are un-well or suffering from infections.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are fed in a warm and relaxing atmosphere and therefore they are happy and content. Drinks and food provided by parents are stored appropriately. The childminder has sound systems in place to find out about children's dietary needs, allergies and eating patterns. Children access drinks on a regular basis throughout the day, they are confident to ask for snacks and drinks when feeling hungry and thirsty. Children enjoy nutritious snacks such as grapes and raisins provided by the childminder. Children are happy and relaxed in the childminder's home.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy fresh air and exercise on a daily basis. They spend time participating in various physical activities at child friendly settings such as toddler groups, parks and play centres. Children are developing good physical skills as they run, climb and balance on various apparatus.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well settled in their environment as the childminder's home is warm and welcoming. They are able to move around happily in the main play area, the living room where the space has been organised to meet their individual needs. There is room for children to play on the floor. Children rest and sleep in comfort where they feel secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Overall, children are kept safe as they are cared for in a child focused environment where risks are reduced to safeguard them. For example, children are not allowed in the back garden as there are hazardous plants. However, the children have not been under the childminder's direct supervision at all times as required. On a few occasions the childminder has left minded children with a household members for short periods, with parents verbal permission. The childminder has developed sound emergency procedure and practised this with the children. This ensures quick and safe evacuation from home, should the need arise. However, a fire blanket is not fitted in the kitchen as per manufacturer's instructions.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's individual care needs are met well as there is a good range of equipment available for example, high chair, double buggy, travel cot and car seats. The childminder checks the children’s toys and equipment regularly to ensure they remain safe and clean for children. She monitors and supervises the choices the children make to ensure they are appropriate for them.

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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 safeguarded as the childminder has sound understanding of her role and responsibility in child protection. For example, she is aware of the indicators of possible abuse and knows the procedures to follow.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are very comfortable in the care of the childminder. The childminder provides a satisfactory range of toys and activities indoors. There is a colourful selection of toys for young babies such as activity centres and musical toys. Babies are happy and relaxed as the childminder speaks softly to them and they make good eye contact as the childminder plays games with them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing their vocabulary as the childminder asks them questions and encourages conversation. This also helps them think and make sense of the world they live in. Children have opportunities to develop their early writing skills as they draw and colour. They have easy access to a range of books and enjoy looking at them with the childminder. Young children get pleasure from outings to toddler groups each day and this gives them opportunities to explore new activities and enjoy relationships with other children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder does not provide a wide range of art and craft activities at home; however children are able to access these on regular outings to child friendly settings such as the play centre.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are developing confidence and self-esteem as the childminder spends good quality time talking and responding well to the children's individual needs. All children are treated with equal concern and they thoroughly enjoy the time they spend with the childminder. The baby turns to the childminder for both comfort and play. The young children confidently voice pleasures and needs. The childminder is in tune with their needs and meets them affectionately.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides opportunities for children to access resources that promote a positive view of the wider world. Children's awareness of diversity is increased through discussions about significance of various celebrations.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing a sense of right from wrong and they are well behaved. They have close relationships with the childminder and they clearly know what is expected of them. Children are learning good manners, for example, as they remind each other to say "please and thank you" during play. The childminder has a sound understanding of using age-appropriate management behaviour strategies which encourages children to try out new experiences in a supportive environment. The childminder discusses children's individual behaviour with parents so they can manage this consistently.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are met effectively. The childminder places a strong emphasis on building good relationships with parents. The relevant documentation is in place and put in to practice to benefit the children. There is a daily exchange of information about the children's routine, care and activities and parents are given very good information about the childminder's provision. This results in children forming a close and trusting relationship with the childminder.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The day runs smoothly for the children as the childminder is well organised. The childminder plans her day in advance to ensure children experience in and outdoor activities. Children are able to play, eat and rest comfortably as the childminder organises the space in her home well.

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Organisation

The necessary record keeping systems are in place to support the welfare and care of the children. The childminder has organised the records into folders to enable her to retrieve information promptly. However, not all persons over the age of 16 years living in the household have completed the required vetting procedures. On a few occasions children have been left with a household member, with parents verbal permission. This is a breach in criteria set in the National Standards for childminding. It is required that children are under the direct supervision of the childminder or registered assistant at all times.

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Organisation

The childminder's procedures are regularly shared with parents to keep them informed about their child. This contributes to the continuity in the children's care. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to: devise a system to record medication administered to children; and provide a suitable range of activities and resources that promotes diversity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has a system in place to maintain a record of medication administered to children. This safeguards children's welfare. Children's awareness of diversity is increasing through discussions about various celebrations and access to a range of activities and resources such as books and puzzles.

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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 satisfactory. 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):

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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 • make sure a fire blanket is installed appropriately following the manufacturer's instructions • ensure children are under your direct supervision at all times • ensure all persons over the age of 16 living in the household complete the required checks to meet suitable person criteria

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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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