Kensington and Chelsea College

Inspection report for early years provision

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130410 Unique Reference Number 06 September 2007 Inspection date Kim Wailling 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and nine years in Watford, Hertfordshire. The whole of the house is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play.

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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 years and one child over five years on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to the local school and pre-schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends various pre-school activity groups. The family has a dog and two rabbits.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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's health on an everyday level is outstandingly promoted. They are able to develop personal independence skills such as hand washing as the childminder has carefully arranged her home. For example, children have good access to a well-stocked downstairs bathroom which has different designs of potties and child toilet seats for younger children to use. The childminder has created a designated nappy changing area so that all requisites such as wipes are kept nearby. This means that the childminder is able to carry out nappy changing efficiently reducing the risk of cross infection to children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Highly effective measures are in place to protect children from possible health risks posed by the family dog and rabbits. These are carefully explained to parents before minding starts so that possible anxieties are allayed. In addition, the childminder talks with parents about when it is appropriate to exclude children who are ill or infectious. She has a range of informative leaflets about children’s infectious illnesses so that informed decision can be reached. Minor injuries to children are dealt with appropriately as the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. She maintains two fully stocked first aid kits which are easily accessible. Consequently, children's health and well-being are very effectively protected.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's nutritional needs are consistently comprehensively met. The childminder takes excellent steps to promote children's health and well-being. For example, children are provided with a choice of nourishing, freshly prepared meals and healthy snacks consisting of foods such as raisins, which they enjoy and eat with relish. Weekly menus are carefully planned which take account of individual needs of children. These are shared with parents so they are well-informed about their children's diet and food preferences. All children sit at a table together for snacks and mealtimes which are always supervised by the childminder. Younger children are comfortably seated in a nearby highchair and where appropriate are encouraged to feed themselves. Children are offered drinks throughout the day, particularly on waking after a nap. However, children can also independently access drinks which mean that immediate thirst can be quenched.

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Helping children to be healthy

The nutritional needs of infants under two are very well met. The childminder works closely with their parents to ensure that home routines are followed. For example, in consultation with parents different types of weaning foods are carefully introduced. Children are reminded of the benefits of following a healthy lifestyle. For example, the childminder plans activities such as cookery sessions and outings to food shops which increase children's awareness of food preparation and nutrition. In addition, the childminder has a selection of posters on display in the dinning room which illustrate the benefits of healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy an extensive range of activities that develop their physical skills. The childminder's garden is very well-maintained and can be used throughout the year. Here, children can access an excellent range of age-appropriate outdoor toys and sports equipment such as a trampoline. In addition, indoor resources such as musical instruments are frequently use to develop coordination skills. For example, the childminder organises music and dance sessions for children accompanying them on the piano. Daily walks are taken when taking and collecting children from school which are supplemented by outings. This means that children's physical fitness is promoted in an enjoyable way.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children can rest and sleep according to their needs. The childminder is highly responsive to children's need for rest. She organises her daily routine to accommodate younger children's

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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 sleep patterns and offers a quiet room for undisturbed sleep. In addition, there is a comfortable sofa for older children to use as well as areas for quiet play. As a result, children are able to 'recharge their batteries' and are content throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a family home which has been adapted so that they are given excellent access to a wide range of facilities that successfully promotes their development. For example, the childminder has organised space and provides resources so that different types of play and activities are promoted. The garden, in particular, has areas for physical play as well as a well-resourced child-sized wooden playhouse that children can use for imaginary and role play. In addition, she has given good consideration to the safe storage of toys. For example, very good use is made of low storage units so that children can access toys easily.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are offered a well-balanced range of resources, which includes manufactured as well as homemade items. For example, there is a colourful range of dressing-up clothes which includes scarves, ties and 'angel wings' which children delight in using. There is a good range of equipment for younger children to use such as a high chair and buggies which is of good quality, safe and clean. Regular robust risk assessments are very effectively used to ensure that equipment and the childminder's home is a safe environment for children. Features such as a written emergency evacuation routine which is on display and practised with the children further enhance children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

When on outings children's safety is promoted through close supervision and good organisation. For example, on outings the childminder takes a first aid kit, emergency contact numbers and a mobile phone with her in case of emergencies. Children are helped to gain an understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, road safety is incorporated into activities. In addition, events such as the arrival of a swarm of bees in the childminder's garden are also used to teach children about personal safety. Children's welfare is fully protected because the childminder has an excellent understanding of child protection issues and is able to put appropriate child protection reporting procedures into practice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy in the childminder's care. They quickly form a positive and warm relationship with the childminder, her children and with each other. The structure of daily routine, which has an excellent balance of adult-led and child initiated activities, allows children to learn at their own pace. The childminder is very attentive and children happily involve her in their play. Children's interests are nurtured as the childminder plans and carefully resources purposeful activities, such as learning about animals and insects. These projects capture children's attention and are spontaneously extended to include stories and rhymes. Older children's interests, in particular, are very well fostered. For example, they are encouraged to use their imaginations by involvement in creative activities, such as art projects, role play, dancing and singing. In addition, children are involved in decision making and given choices which further

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

extend their enjoyment. This means that they are able to create their own games which are rewarding and satisfying to them. Children of all ages play well together and learn social skills, such as sharing and turn taking. Younger children benefit from the presence of older children, who readily include them in their play.

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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 The childminder is very knowledgeable about the 'Birth to three matters' framework. Consequently, younger children's learning benefit as the childminder is incorporating all of its aspects into her practice. For example, using puppets to encourage and extend children's language. As part of the weekly routine, younger children are taken to carefully chosen local pre-school groups which offer a varied programme of activities. These factors combined with the childminder’s excellent understanding of each child’s stage of development ensure that children have opportunities to consolidate skills and build on their knowledge and understanding. As many of the children in the childminder's care attend on a part-time basis the childminder works hard to ensure that each child is offered a lively, varied and worthwhile programme of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities. As a result, all children are fully supported and make progress in all areas of their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and a sense of belonging is fostered. The childminder has created a welcoming environment for children in her home so that children quickly feel comfortable and at ease. All children are treated with equal concern as the childminder is aware of and adheres to anti-discriminatory childcare practice. For example, she has build up a very wide range of resources such as Lego play people which show positive images of disability. These resources are constantly available to children. The childminder acknowledges that all children have differing needs and works very well with parents to enable all children to achieve. For example, children's achievements are systematically recorded and shared with their parents. This means that parents are fully informed to play a part in their children's learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well-supported in the transition between home and the childminder so that they become confident and make excellent progress. Very good arrangements to settle children into the childminder's care are in place. An array of information about the setting is available for parents and shared with them before childminding starts. This includes a complaints procedure. However, information about how concerns made in writing against National Standards are managed by the childminder in line with National Standard requirements is not fully discussed. This, potentially, impacts on the relationship between parents, their children's well-being and the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children form good relationships and make new friends. There are opportunities in the daily and weekly routine for children to play together and enjoy the company of others. Children are helped to develop a sense of right from wrong and to manage their own behaviour. The childminder has a very good understanding of age-appropriate strategies to guide children's personal and social development. For example, using distraction with younger children to defuse possible temper tantrums and asking older children to think about the consequences of their actions on others. This means that children behave well and enjoy their time with the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Overall children's needs are met. Children's care is enhanced by the good organisation of the childminder. She keeps an extensive portfolio, which contains relevant certificates, references, policy statements and information leaflets, which is used to support her childcare practice. The childminder has attended and successfully completed relevant training and is continuing her

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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 professional development. For example, she is currently undertaking a college based childcare National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) course and has nearly completed the NVQ Level 3 qualification. In addition, the childminder makes good use of the local childminding network to keep herself updated and has gained the Hertfordshire Quality Standard.

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Organisation

Children's changing needs are constantly met. The childminder evaluates her practice very well and makes relevant changes. Consequently, the childminder has built on the good practice noted at her last inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to keep up-to-date attendance and administration of medicines records. Immediately following the last inspection the childminder reviewed the way she completed both records and made relevant changes. As a result, both records are consistently kept up-to-date. This strengthens the childminder's procedures that protect children's welfare.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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): • develop systems to share information with parents, with reference to how complaints made in writing against National Standards are managed, the recording of complaints and their outcomes and the availability of summaries of complaints made against National Standards to parents.

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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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