Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY283194 Unique Reference Number 12 March 2007 Inspection date Kim Mundy 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 2004. She lives with her husband, two children aged seven and nine, her mother-in-law, niece and two sister-in-laws in Pinner in Middlesex. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding except the front lounge and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has no pets.

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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 four children under five and two children over five after school. The childminder walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children and she attends the local toddler group.

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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 enjoy lots of fresh air and exercise. They are developing good physical skills as they run, jump, slide and climb. They have good opportunities to widen their experiences on outings to the toddler group, park and toy library.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy nutritious meals provided by their parents and the childminder. They sit together at lunch time which is sociable and relaxed. The childminder provides healthy snacks such as fresh fruit and vegetable sticks. Children can help themselves to drinks when they are thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a very warm and clean home. Their health and welfare is thoroughly promoted and they are learning good hygiene practices, for example, washing hands before meals and after toileting. Children’s well-being is promoted very positively and they are protected from unnecessary illness as they do not attend if they are infectious. Children are administered suitable first aid when necessary as the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. Good records are maintained for accidents and medication.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children feel welcome and at ease in the relaxed, child-friendly and secure home. The play room is extremely inviting with a range of child size furniture and wide selection of toys and activities. Children are able to access the very good quality toys and activities which are varied and developmentally appropriate. Their individual needs are met very effectively as there is a very good range of equipment available, for example, high chair, travel cot and toilet step. Children are encouraged to develop their independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Overall, the childminder has taken steps to make the premises safe and secure, and on going visual risk assessments are carried out. The back garden gate has two bolts on it, although taller children can reach these. As a result, their safety may be compromised. An emergency evacuation plan is practised to ensure the premises can be vacated quickly in an emergency situation and the fire blanket is easily accessible in the kitchen. Children are beginning to take responsibility for their own safety as they help to tidy up.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has a good knowledge of her role and responsibility in child protection. She is aware of possible signs of abuse and knows the correct procedures to follow.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit greatly from the childminder's excellent knowledge of child development and experience of working with young children. They are very confident and their independence is fully encouraged in all areas. The childminder uses her knowledge of the Foundation Stage of

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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 learning and the Birth to three framework to plan activities in advance. Children are very happy and secure and therefore, they are receptive to learning new skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy singing their 'Hello' song as they arrive in the morning. They are attracted to the activities which are set out in the playroom to capture their interest, for example, the painting easel. Children are able to make choices about what they want to play with and they explore their environment enthusiastically. To help children to develop their pincer grasp, they participate in a wide range of activities such as sorting coloured bangles. Paper and pencil materials are available to enable them to practise their mark making skills. Children enjoy using a wide range of materials such as shaving foam, rice, sand, water and play dough. They are learning to count, for example, as they play hop scotch in the garden.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They communicate confidently with the childminder who encourages their listening skills and stimulates their thinking, for example, when discussing the weather and days of the week. The childminder spends all her time playing and interacting with the children which ensures they are absorbed, happy and extremely well-occupied throughout the day. Children are finding out at an early age that learning is exciting and fun.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are developing a positive attitude towards differences in people through looking at books and are learning about other cultures and beliefs when celebrating different festivals. Their self-esteem is high due to the praise and encouragement they receive as they achieve, for example, as they practise their early writing skills, using pens to make marks on the weather chart. Children smile and nod 'yes' as they are constantly told they are good.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides an effective role model for children by her calm and gentle manner. A suitable behaviour management policy is in place and children learn how to behave through the positive interaction and age appropriate strategies used. Children are well behaved, kind and caring towards each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder places a strong emphasis on partnership with parents so that the children are very happy in her care. She is very attentive towards the children who clearly enjoy the time they spend with her. Parents are provided with good information about the childminder's policies and procedures and this includes the revised guidance regarding the complaints procedure. There is an informative notice board displayed in the play room for parents who also receive daily feedback about their child's routine and achievements. Each child has their own scrapbook which contains information about their development, photos and their art work.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is highly motivated and committed to providing a positive experience for children and their well-being is her priority. Her home is set out to provide a very stimulating learning environment for young children and they enjoy the free choice of activities. Children feel very comfortable and use the available space in the home and garden to good effect.

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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 The children benefit greatly by the childminder's enthusiasm to continuously update her knowledge and understanding of child care and development, for example, by attending training such as the Foundation Stage of learning. The childminder has written policies and procedures in place which underpin her good practice and record keeping is of a very good standard. The children are well cared for and they are having a wonderful time. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to ensure a daily record is maintained of the hours all children attend and the names of persons who looked after them. This is now suitably in place to promote children's safety and well-being.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection concerns were raised on the 30/06/05 regarding National Standard 1 Suitable Person: National Standard 2 Organisation; and National Standard 3 Enjoying and Achieving. Ofsted carried out an unannounced visit on 30/09/2005 and at this visit other breaches of the statutory requirements were identified. These were National Standard 2 - caring for more children than the registration permitted: National Standard 6 - failure to keep children safe with adequate supervision; and National Standard 14 - failure to keep required records on the children attending. The childminder was set actions requiring her to: keep records to promote the children's welfare and safety, including children's hours of attendance, medication administered, name address, date of birth and parents' contact details and permission from parents to use an assistant, take children in the car and seek emergency medical treatment or

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Complaints since the last inspection

advice. Also to ensure supervision of the children is sufficient to maintain their safety at all times; and to ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are readily accessible on the premises and available for inspection at all times.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted carried out another visit and the childminder was found to be complying with the National Standards for childminding. The childminder remained qualified for registration at the time the investigation was closed.

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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):

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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 the back garden gate secure.

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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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