Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY349145 Unique Reference Number 17 July 2007 Inspection date Julie Biddle 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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children in the London borough of Harrow. The ground floor of the home and one bedroom and bathroom on the first floor will be used for childminding. The second floor will be inaccessible to children. There is a an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's health is extremely well promoted by consistent high standards of hygiene. The childminder has a through understanding of the importance of good personal hygiene and verbally encourages the children to follow her good example. Children enjoy and are well nourished by the healthy and nutritious diet the childminder provides. The very well planned menus take into account the children's individual health and cultural needs and include foods such as cauliflower cheese, salmon, and pasta. Children are developing a good understanding of the importance of healthy eating as they are encouraged to experience new foods for example,

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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 the childminder introduces new fruits each day. Children are able to easily access drinks at all times, meaning they are never thirsty. Meal times are relaxed social occasions, the childminder uses lots of positive language as children learn to feed themselves.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical health is well promoted by the childminder. Children have many opportunities to use the garden. They also have regular visits to the park and baby gym where they have further opportunities to explore and use their bodies. Sleeping children have their own cots, bed lined and are closely monitored.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's welfare is safeguarded very well as the childminder adheres strictly to procedures for accident recording and medication administration. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit by being cared for in a very safe environment. The childminder is extremely vigilant about safety and uses effective risk assessments within her home and garden to ensure children are safe and secure everyday. For example, the childminder has a comprehensive fire evacuation procedure and keeps records of when fire fighting equipment is checked. Children are beginning to learn about keeping themselves safe because the childminder encourages them to tidy toys away and so avoid tripping hazards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use high quality equipment and resources with enjoyment and excitement. Resources are appropriate to their age and stage of development. The childminder closely supervises the young children's play to ensure their overall safety is continually maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is strongly promoted by the childminder, who has a comprehensive understanding of child protection policies and procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very settled and extremely confident within the childminder's home. They have a very close caring and happy relationship with the childminder, meaning they develop a sense of trust and a strong sense of self. The children make excellent progress because the childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child. Toys and activities engage the children's attention and encourage learning. Children are motivated and thoroughly enjoy a free choice of toys and activities, they are also are able to extend this into the garden. Children thoroughly enjoy their regular creative opportunities, they have a wonderful time as they paint and print with their hands and feet. Children are delighted as they dance to familiar songs and music

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children gain much benefit from the childminder's good knowledge and understanding of the Birth to three matters framework. Children receive much stimulation, excitement and enjoyment in their play. Interaction between the children and the childminder is of high quality. The childminder shows enthusiastic interest in the children and responds quickly to requests and questions.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are very settled and confident because the childminder values and respects their individuality, she knows the children extremely well, meaning that she is able to provide for them and ensure their needs are constantly met. Firm consistent boundaries encourage children to know what is expected of them and behave well. The childminder reacts gently and positively to develop children's learning of right and wrong, which encourages children to play harmoniously together. Children enjoy learning about and sharing and taking turns through example and activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children really enjoy trips in the local community to parks, libraries and gyms. The children have very good opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the wider world through the varied range of resources available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

An excellent partnership with parents contributes significantly to children's wellbeing. The childminder has a caring and sensitive approach to ensuring parents feel confident in the care she provides. An excellent amount of written information and extensive procedures are available for parents. The childminder maintains a daily diary for each child which is shared with parents to ensure parents are kept well informed. The childminder has also developed a delightful log of photographs with dates and comments that demonstrates to parents the wide range of developmental opportunities their children enjoy.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's care is greatly enhanced by the exceptional quality of the organisation of the setting. The home is extremely well organised to maximise children's play and learning opportunities. All required documentation, which contributes to children’s health, safety and well-being, are in place and regularly reviewed. These are shared with parents to keep them well informed about their child's progress, and contributes to excellent continuity of care. Parents are shown a wonderful log of their children's activities.

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Organisation

Children benefit from a highly motivated and extremely skilled childminder, who is committed to continuous improvement and development. The childminder is very keen to constantly develop her knowledge and skills to benefit the children, she regularly attends forums to ensure she is kept fully informed.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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.

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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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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 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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