Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY348494 Unique Reference Number 05 September 2007 Inspection date Martha Naa Ahimah Darkwah 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 aged three years and 14 months in Chiswick in the London Borough of Ealing.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden available for outside play. One upstairs bedroom is used for sleeping purposes.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time. She is currently caring for four children under eight years. She supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities and children with English as an additional language. The childminder speaks fluent French.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children to various local pre-schools and places of interest.

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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 outstanding. Children are developing an excellent understanding of good hygiene practices and personal care through well organised daily routines. Well focused activities and excellent interaction between the childminder and children promotes their understanding of staying healthy. The exceptional adult support and guidance helps children gain an excellent understanding of hygiene and a real desire to become increasingly independent in their personal care. The excellent opportunities help to enhance the children's self help skills. For example, the provision of their own flannels, towels, and low level toilet in a small cubicle that is easily accessible to children. Children learn how to wash their hands after toileting and before meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has devised an excellent range of polices and procedures, which are shared with parents, to support her childminding practice. For example children who are infectious are not allowed to attend in order to prevent the spread of contagious ailments to other children. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate, which means she can give appropriate care to children if there is an accident. She is diligent about recording any accidents in a log book, which is then brought to parents' notice.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from very healthy and nutritional meals and snacks which are prepared and presented attractively to encourage children to eat a variety of different foods. At snack time, the childminder washes blue berries and the child devours them eagerly. Children's enthusiasm for making healthy choices and learning more about where their food comes from is greatly encouraged. For example, they sow vegetables and fruits from seed and look after them in the garden. Children pick vegetables from the garden that is used in the preparing their lunch and talk about fruits and vegetables. Meals are social occasions where the children and childminder sit together to encourage positive social interaction. Children enjoy mealtimes because time is given for them to savour, smell and enjoy their food. Children eagerly look at the steamed fish with vegetables served at table, enjoying the aroma of the food and talking about the different

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Helping children to be healthy

colours of cubed vegetables on steam fish whilst eating. They decide the amount they wish to eat to encourage their independence, for example young children are encouraged to feed themselves at meal times. Children are able to help themselves to drinks throughout the day and enjoy a range of fresh fruit, vegetables and organic finger foods at snack time. The childminder is very aware that children need to drink plenty of water throughout the day, and is vigilant about ensuring they always have a drink of water to hand. A daily diary containing details of the children's food intake is given to parents each day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children join in all areas of physical play enthusiastically because the childminder plans and organises a stimulating and diverse range of activities. Children benefit from balls, ride on toys and push-a-long toys at the childminder’s home and larger soft play equipment and climbing equipment at the Local Park and preschool. They have great fun preparing the garden for plants, digging and weeding the soil with their own child centred tools. Children enjoy moving their bodies in different ways as they push toys and walk about with confidence. They experience fresh air daily as they explore activities set out in the garden and enjoy time spent in the park.

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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

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play in a very secure environment where they can move around safely. The childminder has given high priority to their personal safety. She takes precautions to prevent accidents, for example by using socket covers and safety gates in areas where children could be at risk. She has an excellent understanding of creating a balance between encouraging children's freedom and setting limits to maintain their safety. She has been proactive in ensuring her home is as safe as it can be, for example use of door slammer guards, magnetic catches to lock all low level cupboards in the kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have easy and safe access to an excellent range of robust wooden toys and resources appropriate for their age and development, all of which are maintained in very good condition. These are available both indoors and out in the garden. High priority is given to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe. Safety issues are regularly discussed and explained to the children according to their level of understanding. For example the childminder talks to the children about picking up toys off the floor to prevent people from tripping on them and hurt themselves. The childminder is also vigilant about children's safety when on outings, and ensures younger children travel in a double buggy that has a harness for each child. She does not use her car, preferring to walk to parent toddler groups and the park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected by the childminder who has an excellent understanding of child protection policies and procedures and gives top priority to promote children's welfare. All of these measures greatly contribute to the safety and welfare of the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children have enormous fun and they play enthusiastically with an excellent range of toys and resources, which promote development in all areas of their learning. The children make excellent progress because the childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child. Close and caring relationships increase children's sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of self.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They settle into the environment exceptionally well and are happy, confident and eager to learn. Children explore, challenge and develop physical control in stimulating daily indoor and outdoor experiences. The childminder has a very thorough knowledge of Birth to Three Matters. Her excellent understanding of each child's stage of development means the youngest child is confident to try out new skills or ask for help when needed and set their own limits within the safe environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children involve the childminder in their play and they receive an abundance of warm, individual attention, which enables them to successfully extend their learning and experiences. Children are very imaginative and inventive. They make sense of the world around them in stimulating indoor and outdoor areas and create exciting individual art work with a variety of medium.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They are involved in a stimulating range of activities which are interesting, fun and develop their curiosity, creativity and imagination. Activities are carefully organised to match the needs and ages of the children attending. Meaningful observations of children's development are undertaken by the childminder and these are used to plan activities and are shared with parents.

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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 Children are totally absorbed and interested in everything they do and are confident to try new experiences. Children show care and concern for each other, sharing and playing co-operatively alongside each other.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Numerous opportunities and activities develop children's knowledge and understanding of the world. Children develop an interest in nature as they sow vegetables in the garden and learn how to tend to their garden and ensure that their plants have sufficient water in order to grow. Their curiosity is heightened when they sit down at the table to enjoy the yellow and green courgettes which they picked earlier for use in preparing their lunch.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All areas of children's development are significantly enhanced by the exceptional quality of the childminder's interactions with children. Children are listened to and their communication skills are well promoted as the childminder positively responds to their gestures, sounds and questions. The childminder is very skilled in encouraging young children to express themselves both in English and French. They thoroughly enjoy listening to stories and learn about the meaning of words through the childminder's expressive reading.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s fine motor skills are progressed by activities that, for example, encourage them to use tools such as cutters and rolling pins to manipulate play dough. Children enjoy exploratory and sensory experiences. For example young children explore the feel of flour before turning it into bread dough. Children greatly enjoy kneading dough for fresh bread. They roll, pat it and shape it into rolls before the childminder puts it in the oven to cook.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are made extremely welcome and the childminder ensures that each child is greeted with resources that are presented attractively. Each child is valued as an individual and included in every aspect of the daily routine.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Activities are meaningful, stimulating and fun and adapted to meet the individual needs of each child. Consequently, children are having an absolutely fabulous and enjoyable time as they choose to play in and outdoors. They relish their time in the childminder's home and are extremely confident and self-assured. There is a very good balance between planned and child initiated activities and includes quieter as well as active times. Children have choices in their play which ensures that they are interested in what they do.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children have extensive opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them through organised activities, socialising at activity groups and outings to local places of interest. This positive approach enables the children to continue to develop their social and cultural awareness.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder gives children regular opportunities to learn about the world they live in through outings and activities that introduce them to other cultures, for example by attending a regular parent toddler group where children socialise with people from other backgrounds. Their appreciation of other cultures is further enhanced by the celebration of different festivals and the variety of resources that reflect different cultures that is available to them. The childminder has an understanding of how to support children with learning difficulties as she has had some experience in this field.

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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 Children's behaviour is excellent due to the clear boundaries and positive role model set by the childminder. She continually reinforces positive behaviour by thanking children for listening and responding to requests. Children understand the difference between right and wrong and are encouraged to develop good manners and respect for others. Children gain a high level of self-control and understand the simple ground rules. Very young children learn to share and take turns in an amicable way. They are considerate to one another and include younger children in their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

An excellent partnership with parents contributes significantly to children's well-being. Parents' views about their child's needs and interests are actively sought before the childminder starts caring for their child and consistently developed. This is both verbally, by email and in the form of extremely detailed daily diaries which gives a vivid account of how the children spend their time whilst with the childminder and the stimulating range of activities they are involved in.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very happy and content because parents share information about their child's individual needs, interests and experiences with the childminder. Children's routines and activities are shared with parents daily.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder observes the children's development and progress and uses this to produce memory books for parents to keep. These records chart children's progress and development and are supported by a wealth of animated photographic evidence. For example photos show babies preparing flower beds and caring for plants. Parents are given ideas to help with their child's learning at home and the childminder values their contributions. A notice board for parents has detailed information about what topics will be covered with children. Regular newsletters give further information about what children are learning, the trips planned to support their learning and how parents can contribute to their children's learning and play. Consequently, children make significant progress in all areas of their development.

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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. Indoor and outdoor space is laid out to maximise spontaneous play opportunities for children.

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Organisation

Children benefit from an exceptionally well organised routine and stimulating programme of activities offered in the setting. Children are very happy, comfortable and settled in a warm and caring environment where their individual needs are fully met. The children spend their time purposefully and all activities are planned to maximise play, learning and development opportunities for the children, taking into account each child's individual needs.

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Organisation

Excellent and comprehensively written policies and procedures are in place, which are individual to the setting. All legally required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and well being is comprehensive and regularly reviewed. These are shared regularly with parents to keep them very well informed about the service and their child's activities. They are also available to parents electronically. This contributes to excellent continuity in the children's care.

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Organisation

The childminder is very aware of her role in delivering a service that enables children to make good progress in all areas of development. Very informative and detailed daily diaries record children's progress in all areas of their development and these are shared with parents

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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 Children benefit from the care of a childminder who is highly motivated, has a wealth of knowledge and experience which subsequently ensures that all children are able to develop their full potential. The high quality of the provision means that the childminder meets the needs of the range of children who attend extremely well.

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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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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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