Childminder in Hillingdon

Inspection report for early years provision

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161089 Unique Reference Number 16 November 2007 Inspection date Susan Elizabeth Tovey 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 2001. She lives with her two children aged 11 years and eight years, in Hayes in the London Borough of Hillingdon. All areas of the home are used for childminding with the exception of the main bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for five children attending part time. Local parks, shops and schools are within walking distance. The childminder takes children to and collects from, Pinkwell school, Hayes. The family have a dog, three hamsters and a guinea pig as pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are happy in the warm, friendly and clean home. The childminder has good hygiene procedures in place that enable children to be cared for in an environment that reduces the risk of infection. Children are protected from unnecessary illness and do not attend if they are

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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 contagious. Their good health is well supported as the childminder has effective procedures in place for the administration of medication, dealing with accidents and illness.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder consults with parents about their child's dietary requirements and preferences. Children bring their own lunches from home and snacks are provided by the childminder. They sit together to eat and enjoy a sociable time with each other and younger children are given appropriate support to enable them to feed themselves. The children can access drinks throughout the day and the childminder reminds them to have a drink regularly.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of outdoor activities which contribute to their good health. They enjoy daily walks and activities in the garden, such as using the trampoline, gardening and playing in the sand pit. Children regularly visit activity centres, parks and soft play areas to enable them to climb and use a range of physical play resources. This helps to develop their coordination and physical abilities. Children are able to rest and sleep as they need to.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home is friendly and welcoming for children. Children use all available space well, and they access the toys and equipment with ease. There is a range of suitable and well maintained furniture readily available to meet the children's needs. The childminder gives high priority to checking the toys to ensure they remain safe for the children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. Steps have been taken to ensure that hazards to children are reduced and appropriate safety equipment is in place. Children are well supervised and cannot leave the premises unattended. The childminder has devised a detailed emergency evacuation plan, however, this has not been practised with children to ensure they can be evacuated quickly from the premises, if necessary.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children stay safe when in the presence of people who have not been vetted because the childminder does not leave them unattended. She is secure in her understanding of issues relating to child protection which means that children's welfare is promoted appropriately. The childminder has access to relevant documentation and contact numbers that she might need in the event of any concerns she has and she has informed parents of her responsibility about safeguarding children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children have enormous fun and they play enthusiastically with an excellent range of toys and resources, which fully promote their learning. The children make excellent progress because the childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child. Close and caring relationships increase children's sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of self. Children play with a wide range of appropriate toys and activities, the favourite at the moment is the 'Happy Street' play-set with roadway, railway and small world figures. They also take part in activities, such as drawing, painting, hand printing, assorted puzzles, musical toys, books and face painting. The childminder gives children space to discover things for themselves but is always available to provide help or support when they need her.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children display high levels of confidence in their daily activities and are developing very good independence skills, as they busy themselves and become absorbed in their activities. Their

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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 communication skills are extremely well supported through high quality interaction with the childminder, as they enthusiastically discuss their activities and talk about what they are doing. Older children count number of bricks in the tower and follow sequence of plain and coloured bricks in the wall, paint, draw and practise early writing skills. Younger children enjoy musical toys, splashing around in a bowl of soap suds and looking at picture books.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder organises numerous outings during the holidays, with visits to the National History Museum to see the dinosaurs, outings and picnics to various country parks, Odds Farm and Bekonscot model village. The children participate in many exciting activities for example, playing crazy golf, swimming, strawberry picking, tree rubbing, mini beast hunting and going sledging in the snow. Children make positive relationships, they play exceptionally well together and are encouraged to consider younger children as they play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are settled and confident because the childminder values and respects their individuality. Children are good at taking turns and sharing. They are very well behaved as the childminder provides consistent boundaries and offers a lot of praise and encouragement. Children enjoy close relationships with the childminder and they learn to respect, and be caring and considerate towards each other. Children make themselves at home, they select toys independently and help themselves to drinks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides a meaningful range of resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, books, puzzles, dolls and a range of small world people are available. Children are able to feel good about themselves and develop their self-image as the childminder has a positive attitude towards inclusion.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are happy and content because the childminder has a very good relationship with the parents. They work together to meet the child's individual care and developmental needs. Children's routines and activities are shared with parents daily.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are very happy and contented in the care of the childminder. They play with confidence and receive plenty of support. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs. Young toddlers confidently move around in the childminder’s home and are encouraged to make choices in their play. The childminder strives to meet all the children’s emotional needs. She is well organised and the day runs smoothly for the children. She is attentive to children's needs, contributing to their learning and development. This means that they are confident to express their needs.

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Organisation

The childminder has all relevant documentation in place to ensure children's safety and welfare. Policies and procedures are used effectively and shared with parents. Documentation is stored appropriately and kept for the required amount of time.

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Organisation

Children receive continuity of care as their routines and achievements are shared between parents and the childminder. The childminder meets the needs of 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 last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that Ofsted is informed of significant events The childminder has in place individual sheets for each child for recording significant events and is fully aware of her responsibility to inform Ofsted. This means children's safety and wellbeing is enhanced.

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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): • practise an emergency evacuation plan.

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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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