Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY349900 Unique Reference Number 12 September 2007 Inspection date Arda Halls 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 2007. She lives with her child aged four years in West Kensington/Olympia in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. All areas in the second floor flat are used for childminding. There is no secure garden for outside play but children are taken regularly to local playgrounds and parks. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time and is currently minding one child. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler groups and drop-in centres. There is a pet rabbit in the family. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and children with English as an additional language.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health and hygiene is promoted as the childminder sustains a sound level of cleanliness throughout her home. Children are learning about personal hygiene as the childminder has procedures in place to help stop the spread of germs such as using individual towels and

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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 facecloths for children. Appropriate methods are in place for food preparation in the newly fitted and hygienic kitchen.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are safeguarded by the childminder's sound understanding of emergency first aid. The first aid certificate has expired but the childminder has secured a place on the next available first aid training. Accident and medication records are accurately recorded and there is emergency medical advice and treatment consent from parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Nappies are changed on the childminder's knee without a changing mat, disposable gloves or apron. A hand sanitizer is used following the nappy changing. This procedure is not hygienically sound as there is a risk of cross contamination.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in a range of daily outdoor play activities, for fresh air and exercise which promotes their well-being and helps them to acquire good physical skills. There are daily walks to school, visits to parks, drop-ins and the public library.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy nutritious meals and snacks brought from home which establish healthy eating habits from an early age. A designated cupboard is used to store dry foods and utensils for the minded children and perishable foods are stored safely in the fridge. Their dietary requirements are taken into account which ensures that their individual food preferences are met. New foods are not introduced to young children at the childminder's to ensure there is no adverse reaction. Children's drinks are easily accessible at a low level to ensure they can drink at any time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming family home in an environment that is well maintained and has recently been fitted with a new kitchen, toilet and bathroom. There is good use of space to help children to explore independently and to rest, eat and play comfortably. Children are gaining independence and self-confidence because the childminder encourages them to make choices and explore their toys constantly. Children can self select toys for themselves as toys are easily accessible at floor level. The main play area is "outdoor shoe free" which keeps children healthy and safe as they play on the floor.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Toys and equipment are suitable, well-maintained and clean. They meet the children's individual needs and are appropriate for their age and development such as shape sorters and musical toys for one year old children. Good quality equipment is in place such as a travel cot and safety gates which help to keep children safe. The childminder researches new toys and equipment from a variety of sources to ensure there is a broad range of safe and interesting play equipment. Toys are checked over and washed regularly to ensure they are safe for use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a child focused environment where most risks are identified and reduced to safeguard the children. Emergency escape plans have been devised to ensure evacuation could be carried out quickly. A fire blanket and smoke alarm are strategically placed in the home and sharp knives are kept at an inaccessible level in the kitchen. There are appropriate arrangements in place to ensure children are kept safe on outings and written consent to take children in public vehicles. Children are learning about keeping themselves safe as the childminder talks about road safety, things that are hot and the dangers of electric sockets. Walking children are kept safe by the use of wrist bands to secure them and children in pushchairs are securely harnessed.

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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 protected through the childminder’s good understanding of her role and responsibility in child protection. There is a good awareness of the indicators of abuse and of the importance of recording any concerns. However, the Safeguarding Children Board guidelines are not available for reference.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their stay at the childminder's home, they explore the toys in the sitting room which is clean, clear of clutter and set up for children in an interesting way. Toys are grouped in different categories over the whole of the floor when means young children can easily access what they want to play. They explore the hallway and the children's bedroom where they have a further selection of toys. They play with tiny books learning about colours and shapes. They watch as the childminder crawls on the floor with them. They laugh and sigh and they shake the bells and rattles as they crawl around. Soft music plays in the background and a selection of dolls sit on the floor waiting to be played with.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children experiment with the musical keyboard and tambourine which the childminder says allows children to express themselves. They discuss shapes and they sing as they find different toys. Questions are asked to young children, they babble back to the minder. They talk about the songs they like.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are free to choose whatever toys they like. They examine the magnetic electronic phonic machine. They laugh as they change the letters on the machine and they listen intently as each letter they choose plays a different song. They are learning about parts of the body as they talk about where is your head, your ear, your tummy. Some of the toys are tasted as the children are getting new teeth.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children regularly visit drop-ins or the park as well as visiting the public library where they are learning to choose their own books. Quiet activities such as reading are balanced with more rigorous activities such as standing up and down as they hold the childminder's hands. They hum as they exercise. They are clearly enjoying themselves.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play on the keyboard enthusiastically and they babble with the childminder who takes care to stay at the children's level as she plays. They play with shapes which they enjoy fitting together. Children are allowed and encouraged to be independent as they look at the number puzzle and the shapes for the shape sorter. They learn about matching as they play with plastic egg characters.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children examine the dolls. They feel the dolly's curly hair and then they feel their own. The doll is losing its hair. The minder immediately removes the doll to keep the children safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy watching a half hour of the Baby channel on television for "play and learn". The childminder states how it helps them wind down at the end of the day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy at the childminder's home. They are familiar with the daily routine which enables them to feel safe and secure. They enjoy mutually respectful relationships with the childminder. The childminder knows the children's individual personalities and needs very well

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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 as care information and the children's stages of development are discussed with parents. Children have access to all of the toys and activities, everyone has an equal chance to play and learn. Children learn about the community in which they live through a good selection of multi-cultural dolls, books and puzzles all depicting positive self-images. There are celebrations in the neighbourhood drop-ins in which children join in to learn about festivals such as Divali and Eid.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with learning difficulties and disabilities are welcome in the childminder’s home as she has a positive attitude towards this area of childcare. The childminder has experience of looking after children with disabilities and would ensure that appropriate care was given to children with special requirements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and are developing their confidence and self-esteem, because the childminder encourages the children in their behaviour. They are developing a positive self-image of themselves as the childminder offers praise and encouragement in their daily activities. At lunch time the children are constantly told "well done". They develop self-esteem and confidence as they communicate with the childminder through body language and early language sounds to voice their opinions to make choices and decisions about their food and their play. Children respond well to age appropriate techniques and positive strategies used by the childminder to manage any difficulties that arise.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder establishes good working relationships with parents to ensure the well-being of children and completes and shares information recorded about the children. Contracts and consent information is kept securely in place. Parents are informed throughout the day by text messaging that their children are happy and being well cared for. At the end of the day parents receive information about what their children have eaten and what activities they have enjoyed. A well organised diary is kept of each child to record details of the day as well as their personal development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the care of an experienced childcare worker. Documents in the childminder's work portfolio clearly demonstrate that childcare training has been ongoing for a number of years. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of caring for children and she meets their care needs effectively. She is warm and affectionate towards the children, therefore they are relaxed and happy in her care.

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Organisation

The childminder organises the day to include a variety of play activities and physical exercise. This helps to ensure the children's overall developmental progress. An excellent profile for children is in progress with arrangements in place to review and develop plans with the parents.

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Organisation

The required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being is in place. The documents are organised in a file and safely stored away to maintain confidentiality. Children receive continuity of care as their routines and achievements are shared between parents and the childminder. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements 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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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 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): • ensure suitable nappy changing procedures are in place • obtain knowledge and understanding of the local Safeguarding Children Board Procedures and the current government guidelines on child protection • complete a first aid course which includes training in first aid for infants and young children

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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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