Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY346997 Unique Reference Number 27 July 2007 Inspection date Sylvia Dindar 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 and is registered to care for five children. There are currently two children on roll. She lives with her husband, tenant and her three children one of whom is under eight years. The setting is in the London Borough of Hounslow. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a home that is clean, warm and bright. The main area for play is the conservatory which is heated in the winter and when it becomes too hot in the summer the children take their activities into the dining room which offers shade. The childminder ensures that babies are kept clean and comfortable, before and after their feeds, as she wipes their mouths with individual cloths, checks and changes nappies when needed and then disposes of them hygienically minimising the risk of cross infection.

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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 Children enjoy a wide range of activities contributing to their physical development. For example, they frequently go outdoors and climb and slide on a variety of sturdy play equipment, providing appropriate challenges across a range of abilities. Babies are supported well in their development, for example, the childminder gives babies lots of opportunities to develop their core muscles for sitting up. Babies practise sitting up supported by cushions or by the childminder herself. The toys are put just out of reach so babies are encouraged to stretch their bodies and also develop their hand eye co-ordination as they try to grasp toys.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well-nourished because the childminder gives high priority to providing healthy, well-balanced meals and snacks. For example, children having a snack lunch, they are able to choose from healthy fillings, such as, cheese, meat and vegetables. Children like preparing and cooking food and consequently eat heartily. They are encouraged to drink milk and water so that they are kept hydrated. The menus comply with all special dietary requirements to ensure children remain healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children move freely and confidently between accessible areas in the secure and comfortable family home. Use of the ground floor for play provides sufficient space for them to play, eat and relax within the childminder's sight. Children have direct access to the fully enclosed rear garden which provides secure outside space for their outdoor play. A ground floor toilet is available and the dining room is used as a quiet area. A stair gate limits children's access to the first floor. Available space and resources are mostly used effectively to enable to children to participate in different activities. For example, babies are able to relax and sleep securely in a cot in the dining room whilst the older child plays in the conservatory. This means that the childminder is able to check the baby regularly whilst giving the older children the supervision and the attention they need. Children independently access a wide selection of books and play

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

materials, as they are stored at a low level and are clearly marked. These are in good condition and suitable for children's stage of development, enabling children to use them safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Generally good arrangements are in place to maintain children's safety. The garden is securely fenced and the front door is kept locked so children are unable to leave the premises unaccompanied. A number of sensible precautions are in place to reduce identified hazards. For example, household chemicals and medicines are securely stored and risks from fire are minimised because a fire blanket and smoke detectors are installed and the childminder talks with children about evacuation procedures. The childminder encourages children to think and talk about road safety when out walking, helping them to develop an awareness of ways to keep themselves safe. The childminder has completed a basic risk assessment of the trampoline in the garden. However, she has not yet taken into account the safety measures suggested by relevant safety bodies, so an element of risk remains for children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has awareness of what child abuse and neglect mean and of her responsibilities to act in accordance with agreed national and local procedures in the event of any child protection concerns. She is therefore able to take appropriate action to safeguard children's welfare in any such circumstances.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy the relaxed homely environment the childminder provides. They engage in a wide range of activities from which they freely choose. For example, older children enjoy board games, books, construction, art and craft activities. The childminder allows children to make up their own picnic. Children choose from a range of healthy filling for their sandwiches, for example, cheese or meat and enjoy cutting fruit up. As a special treat children are involved in making waffles. In this activity children are learning to follow a recipe, weigh and measure. They talk about shape and texture and share the task of stirring the ingredients. They learn the rules of how to keep themselves safe as the childminder reminds the children that the waffle maker gets very hot. Children talk about and calculate the time they take to cook. Children decide whether their picnic will be inside or out. They decide that the weather is so

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

changeable they will have it indoors. They erect the tent, get out the picnic set and share the plates out, providing everyone with a serviette.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A caring and friendly environment helps children develop confidence in their relationships and play. They enjoy music and singing and burst into song spontaneously in French and English. Children enjoy a variety of activities inside and outside the home, including visits to local facilities, such as, parks and libraries, which helps them become familiar with the local neighbourhood.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children take pleasure in looking at and reading books. Babies are provided with books that they can handle easily and are learning to grasp. They are given lots of toys which stimulate and encourage them to reach out and touch, developing their hand eye co-ordination. They enjoy watching and communicating with the other children. In return older children are learning to be gentle and caring. Babies show that they have developed a strong bond with their childminder as they are watchful as she moves out of their vision. Routines are flexibly planned to take account of individual circumstances, such as, their pattern of attendance and developmental stage, helping to ensure they meet individual needs. The childminder is familiar with the Birth to three matters framework and using this as a guidance to ensure that younger children are developing at a rate that is appropriate for the age and stage of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well cared for and their individual needs met as the childminder gathers information about the children’s individual needs and discusses these with parents. Good arrangements are in place to enable the childminder and parents to work together to support children's needs. A settling in procedure takes place to ensure that information can be gathered and relationships are established to ensure that children’s care needs are met. On-going information regarding children's daily activities and routines is shared through informal discussion, supplemented by use of a daily diary.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children begin to recognise and respect diversity as they use resources, such as, books reflecting different family lifestyles or cultural traditions. The childminder values all children and has a positive attitude to diversity; she celebrates the differences making children feel equally special. The childminder recognises the need to work closely with parents and other relevant professionals to establish the care requirements for any child with identified disabilities or additional needs.

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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 develop a sense of belonging and of responsible behaviour as they are actively involved in simple tasks, such as, tidying toys away. They show confidence in independently selecting from a range of activities, for example, a school aged child decides to move from playing a game of 'Guess Who' to working with construction. The childminder fosters an atmosphere where children are encouraged to have an awareness of the needs of others, for example, she encourages children to engage in games where they need to negotiate and take turns. Children are keen to play with the baby but the childminder is mindful of the baby being over stimulated and reminds the children that babies need time for a rest otherwise they can become upset.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care. Children are well cared for as the childminder is knowledgeable about child development and knows the children well. She organises her home to provide a warm and welcoming child orientated environment. Children have access to a wide range of activities and resources that meet their developing needs. Consequently children are happy, well settled and stimulated.

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Organisation

All records required by regulation are in place and are mostly managed efficiently, however, the attendance register has some detail missing. The childminder is aware of her responsibility to protect children and all adults in the house have been appropriately vetted. She pays high regard to the confidentiality of parents and their children, therefore she keeps all records secure. A set of well thought out policies such as a complaints policy, child protection and behaviour policy are shared with parents so that they understand what underpins the childminders good practice.

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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 to meet the National Standards.

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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 that the attendance register is accurate

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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 • further risk assess the trampoline taking into account the guidance set down by relevant safety bodies

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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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