Childminder in Harrow

Inspection report for early years provision

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147954 Unique Reference Number 06 February 2008 Inspection date Maria Therese Conroy 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 satisfactory. 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 has been registered since 1994. She lives with her husband and three adult children. They live in a house in North Harrow in the London Borough of Harrow. The childminder uses the back lounge, kitchen/dining room and upstairs toilet. There is a secure garden for outdoor play. There are local bus routes and tube stations near by. The family have no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder works with her sister who is also a registered childminder. The childminder is registered to care for a total of nine children under eight years when working with another childminder, they are currently caring for a maximum of seven children under five years and one child over five years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has completed the Level 3 in childminding practice, is a member of the National Childminding Association and is part of the 'Children come first' Quality Assurance scheme.

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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 satisfactory. Children's health and hygiene is promoted through the effective health and hygiene procedures in place such as wiping hands before eating and wiping their nose with a tissue. Children are cared for in a clean environment, which helps to protect them from unnecessary germs. Children are well cared for due to the procedures in place for first aid, for example the childminder has an up to date first aid certificate which enables her to deal with minor accidents if they occur. However the procedures in place for administering medication do not fully protect children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to eat healthily and taste a variety of different fruits and vegetables through the varied menu provided, for example salmon, rice, peas and sweet corn. In addition children are provided with healthy snacks throughout the day such as pear and banana. Children take part in activities to consolidate their understanding of healthy eating, such as planting strawberries and through creative activities such as making a collage, of a fruit bowl. Children are developing their social skills through eating together at the table both in the home environment and when they are taken out to the café.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. For example they go on local outings to 'Swallows Gym' and 'Fantasy Island' where they can climb, balance and slide on the variety of equipment available. Children enjoy going to the local park where they use the swing and slide, go for walks and splash in the puddles.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The toys and equipment used by the children are age appropriate and safe for children to use. They are stored in see through storage boxes where the children can see clearly what is available. There is a range of suitable seating which allows children to sit and eat comfortably, in addition parents sign to confirm they are in agreement for their children to use a variety of equipment to sleep or rest, such as a travel cot and the sofa.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has taken positive steps to ensure the space used by the children is safe for young children to move around and explore freely. The children can access a large play area which includes the lounge and kitchen dining area. The childminder has fitted gates on the stairs and across the lounge which prevents children from having access to the stairs and from leaving the lounge area unsupervised. The childminder ensure the vehicle she uses for transporting the children is safe and has suitable safety seating appropriate to the ages of the children attending. Regular risk assessments are undertaken in the areas used by children and effective procedures are in place in the event of an emergency both in the home and when on outings. Children are learning to become aware of their own safety, for example when they go on outings they stay close to the mini-bus until all children have been taken off the bus.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is fully promoted through the effective procedures in place. For example the childminder has undertaken 'safeguarding children' training and has a good understanding of her role in relation to the protection of children. In addition parents sign to confirm they are aware of the procedures in place for safeguarding children.

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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 are happy and well settled, they are having a great time as they are taken on a variety of local outings throughout the week. Children enjoy going to see the farm animals and stroking the bunny rabbits. They take turns investigating reptiles, for example they sit on the floor and follow the tortoise. Children take part in activities within the local library and receive certificates for their participation. They enjoy socialising with other children of a similar age when they visit other childminders who are caring for young children and visit local toddler groups where they have the opportunity to have access to a variety of different play opportunities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's language skills are promoted through the variety of activities provided. For example children love to listen to familiar stories such as 'were going on a bear hunt' again and again. They enjoy singing songs such as 'down in the jungle' and using prompts such as the toy animals, the childminder talks to the children about life in the jungle asking them questions which make them think such as 'do you think it is hot or cold?'

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children participate in planting strawberries; they are learning to tend to the plants and enjoy tasting the strawberries when they finally appear. They have many opportunities to create, for example they make snowmen and cards for various occasions such as valentines day. Children love to dress up, they become doctors and builders and thoroughly enjoy putting their wellington boots on as they pretend to splash in the mud in the park.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy messy play as they take part in a variety of art and craft activities. For example children concentrate as they add glue to the heart shape they intend to stick on their card for 'Valentines Day'. They talk about the colour red and count the number of sticky hearts on the page. Older children are supported by the childminder who sounds the letters and supports them as they write inside the card.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder treats each child with equal concern and works in partnership to meet children's specific needs. She knows them well including their likes, dislikes and dietary needs. Children's self esteem is promoted through the photos displayed around the areas used by the children, which show them taking part in a variety of activities. Children are learning about diversity through the well planned activities such as when they visit a local temple, take part in a nativity in the church and make cards and pictures for a variety of festivals throughout the year, for example 'Diwaili' and 'Chinese New Year'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved, they are learning to share and turn take throughout the daily routine and in the activities they take part in. The childminder promotes good manners and gives clear explanations as to why certain behaviour is not kind or acceptable. Children are rewarded with praise when they do something well and sticker charts are also, used for example during potty training.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is good. A detailed parents' area is available in the main entrance hall where a variety of useful information is clearly displayed, for example the registration certificate and parents poster. In addition a number of written policies and procedures outlining the childminder's practice is shared with parents when they place their child. Parents communicate they are very happy with the care provided by the childminder, they particularly like the

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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 childminder's sensitivity to different cultures, excellent standard of food, her wealth of experience and the fact their children love being in her company.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the high commitment of the childminder to attend regular training, for example the childminder has completed the Level 3 in Childminding practices and is currently undertaking the NVQ (National Vocation Qualification) Level 3 in childcare and education. The childminder is part of the 'Children come first' accreditation scheme which enables her to review her practices. In addition the childminder gives support to new childminders and shares her experience and good practice through the 'buddy scheme'.

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Organisation

The childminder is very well organised, which allows her to spend quality time with the children in her care, during the hours of childminding. The childminder works closely with another childminder in her home, which enables the children to have a high level of support throughout the day. The childminder plans her routine to ensure that children have access to a wide variety of play opportunities and chances to socialise with other children. Documentation is generally well organised and most of the regulatory requirements are met. However the record of attendance does not include details of all children cared for and the persons who looked after them, which is a breach of regulation. In addition the childminder does not obtain parents' written consent on each occasion, prior to administering medicine, which is also a breach of regulation.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to ensure parents' written consent is obtained for non-prescription medicines as required. The childminder is aware of the need to do this, however at present a blanket cover is in place. A further recommendation has been raised in relation to medication.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 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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Complaints 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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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 satisfactory. 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 on each occasion parents prior written consent is obtained before administering medication • ensure a daily attendance record is maintained of all children attending and the name of the person looking after the 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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