Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY286301 Unique Reference Number 11 February 2008 Inspection date Hilary Turner 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 July 2004 and lives with her husband and two children in a house in Richmond in the London Borough of Richmond. The premises are situated close to local amenities, parks, schools and bus routes. There is an enclosed garden at the back of the property. Children have access to the entire home.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years. She is currently caring for two children under five years for a variety of sessions.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks and drives to schools to take and collect children, attends local playgroups, and takes children on regular outings to parks, playgrounds and places of interest.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows highly effective procedures and practices, which meet the children's physical, nutritional and health needs. Children are very familiar with

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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 simple good hygiene routines and know they must wash their hands at appropriate times to stop getting bugs in the tummy. Lovely posters are displayed in all areas of the house to promote good health and hygiene practice, including a hand washing poster in the bathroom.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's good health is further safeguarded by the childminder's understanding of emergency first aid. Children receive good care in the event of an accident or injury as the childminder has sound procedures in place and holds a valid first aid certificate. Children needing medication are assured of receiving and benefiting from the correct medicine as there are clear systems for the recording of medicines administered to children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy and benefit greatly from a range of activities which contribute to their good health and help develop their physical skills. Children have daily fresh air as they walk to and from school and enjoy regular visits to local parks and playgrounds where they can run, climb and jump.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy, varied and nutritious diet. They enjoy lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and healthy snacks such as rice cakes. All meals and snacks take account of the children's individual needs. Children are asked if they would like a snack and are able to choose from a variety of fruits. For example, a child selects an apple and enthusiastically eats it after it has been peeled by the childminder. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge and training on healthy eating, and food hygiene. Food provided by parents is stored and prepared appropriately and heated correctly. A probe is used to make sure the food is heated to the correct temperature to ensure children remain healthy. Water is available to children throughout the day as individual labelled beakers are readily accessible and children independently help themselves when ever they are thirsty.

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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 very safe and secure environment where any risks are identified and minimised. This is because the childminder is extremely vigilant and carries out a regular visual risk assessment to reduce potential hazards. Appropriate safety precautions are in place such as wires tidied up, safety gates and safety film fitted to internal glass. Appropriate fire equipment is in place including smoke alarms, fire extinguishers and fire exits are clearly displayed in various parts of the premises. A written fire evacuation procedure is also displayed and fire drills practiced monthly. In addition children enjoy role play, as they act out the role of a fire fighter, which the childminder follows up with a visit to the local fire services.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to achieve a balance between freedom and setting safe limits. This allows children to learn some sense of danger and knowledge about how to protect themselves from harm. For example, children are taught about road safety which is further supported by the educational materials they receive as members of the transport for London Traffic Club which the childminder has joined. Children know the places where they can run about freely and safely; and are learning about stranger danger in order to keep themselves safe. The childminder has a high regard for children's safety; a portable first aid kit is taken on trips and both children and the childminder wear wrist bands which have a written emergency contact number on. A written lost child policy further promotes children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use a wide variety of very good quality equipment, appropriate to their age and stage of development. It is regularly monitored to ensure it is safe, well maintained and appropriate. Toys and resources are replaced, updated and added to, when necessary. Suitable equipment

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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 such as car seats appropriate for the ages of the children are available to ensure children are transported safely and parental consent forms are obtained from parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The protection of children is recognised by the childminder as being paramount. Children's welfare and safety is safeguarded by the childminder's excellent understanding of her role and responsibilities in relation to child protection. A detailed child protection policy supports her practice, which is shared with parents, and child protection documentation is also displayed for parents to see.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the childminder's home. They achieve well because she is highly skilled and uses her sound knowledge of child development to provide high quality care. Children are happy and very settled. They make positive relationships with the childminder, sit comfortably next to her while they draw and colour as the childminder extends their thinking by her effective questioning techniques. Children are confident to approach the childminder for support or to show her what they are doing; and their confidence and self-esteem is given high priority as they are offered praise and acknowledgment for their efforts and achievements. For example, the childminder says to a child " you're colouring is lovely, well done, your so clever." The child beams with pride.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's independence is fostered as they make their own choices and decisions. Their learning is actively promoted through stimulating and challenging resources and activities such as cooking, creative materials and imaginative play equipment. They show interest in what they do and become absorbed in playing for instance using their imagination as they play on the floor with a large range of dinosaurs. Children are able to play independently but also receive support from the childminder, who is actively involved in their play. Children are excited and eager to involve the childminder for example, as they use hand puppets to act out the story of the Three Little Pigs. They both laugh as they change the tone of their voice and the child knowing the story really well says gruffly "you can't blow my house down, its made of bricks".

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children achieve and make good progress. A child can confidently count to 10 and beyond, name colours and know what certain colours make when mixed together. The childminder has started to complete observation on children and is using these to help plan for their next steps in learning. Children's individual needs are catered for as the childminder is very aware of the stage they are at and knows them really well. Children's individual, favourite topics are included in the routine. For example, a child enjoys role play and particularly interested in fire fighters uses their imagination as they dress up in a fire fighter outfit; acting out the role, while demonstrating their understanding of how to evacuate the premises safely in the event of a fire. They also enjoy listening to music and are able to use head phones independently to listen to music of their choice. Children are offered a variety of fun, interesting experiences and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

outings during the school holidays, such as, Richmond Park, Kew Gardens and Snakes and Ladders. Here they benefit from socialising with other children which they greatly enjoy.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for by the childminder who works with parents to meet children's individual needs and ensure they are fully included in the life of the setting. Close and caring relationships increase children's sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of self. Children are

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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 valued and respected as individuals and the childminder's aim is that all children feel welcome, happy and valued. She strives to help children reach their potential and meet their needs, including any cultural or special needs. Children's individual routines are adhered to and any changes discussed with parents. Children are actively encouraged to, take turns, share and care for each other. Children have access to a wide variety of good quality resources that reflect diversity such as puzzles, play people and books.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behaviour is good. They learn by having a positive role model and understand the clear and consistent boundaries. Children are given explanations as to why some behaviour is unacceptable, and positive strategies are used to manage behaviour according to children's ages and levels of understanding. They are taken to various places and this social contact fosters good social skills. Children benefit from a childminder who notices and acknowledges when they are being good and is committed to giving them her time and attention.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Effective partnership with parents contributes significantly to children's well-being. Parents are given good information at the beginning of the placement. This is about the service the childminder offers and includes polices, procedures and information about the childminder and training she has attended. This ensures parents are well informed and made to feel welcome from the beginning. Daily journals detail information about the children's day and daily chats with parents keep them up to date with their child's progress and welfare. The childminder has recently started to complete regular observations on children which are shared with parents. These are used by both childminder and parents to agree the next steps in their learning. The childminder has cared for many children on a long-term basis, providing continuity of care which greatly benefits the children and their families.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is greatly enhanced by the effective organisation. Children benefit from a highly skilled childminder who has a high regard for the well-being of all children. The adult to child ratio positively supports children's care, learning and play as the childminder only cares for a small number. This is to ensure all children receive sufficient care and attention.

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Organisation

The childminder has good knowledge of child development and has attended some training courses, including Birth to three matters framework and inclusion. She is pro-active in accessing training, reads relevant publications and ensures she is kept up to date with current practice. This continuing development is reflected in the childminder's effective practice and children benefit greatly from her increased knowledge. Furthermore she regularly assesses and evaluates the service she provides and uses Ofsted documents such as Safe and Sound and Getting On Well to develop and improve her practice.

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Organisation

Children are happy and settled in a calm and well-organised environment. They move around safely, with independence and effective supervision. Children can easily access many of the toys and resources and the childminder's home is ready for the children, as they arrive each morning.

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Organisation

All required documentation is in place and regularly reviewed, which contributes to children's health, safety and well being.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs for the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder agreed to ensure children have easy access to a range of play materials that involve and interest them and that efforts and achievements are praised in specific detail. All toys and resources are well-organised, attractively displayed to promote children's interest, and the childminder's practise involves regularly offering praise and encouragement for children's efforts and achievements. As a result children's wellbeing and learning has improved.

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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): • to continue to develop knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage in preparation for implementation in September 2008.

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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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