Childminder in Hounslow

Inspection report for early years provision

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510854 Unique Reference Number 23 January 2008 Inspection date Jane Nelson 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children, aged nine and three years, in a house in Kew in the London Borough of Richmond.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The lounge kitchen/diner and bathroom on the ground floor and two bedrooms on the first floor are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden which together with local parks is used for outdoor 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 one child under five, who attends on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and regularly attends local parent/toddler groups with the children. The family have a cat and keep a tank of tropical fish.

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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 good. Children's awareness of healthy eating is encouraged by the healthy snacks of fresh fruit provided by the childminder. Parents usually provide their children's main meal which the childminder reheats. Children sit at the kitchen table and chat to each other, as they enjoy their snack of apple and banana. They help themselves to drinks, when they are thirsty, from their own drinking cups, which are easily accessible.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder maintains her first aid qualification and systems are in place to record accidents and administration of medication. Parents' written consent for emergency medical treatment is obtained. The risk of infection to children is minimised by the childminder’s written policy of not caring for children when they are ill or infectious.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children gain an awareness of good hygiene practises, through procedures that are part of their daily routine. For example, younger children are helped by the childminder to wash, their hands at the kitchen sink before eating. They have access to paper towels to dry their hands and a poster is displayed in the bathroom, reminding children to wash their hands.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities for regular exercise and outdoor play, which encourages their good health and physical development. They go on daily walks to the local school with the childminder, visit local parks and under five groups, where there are opportunities for physical play, and have access to outdoor play in the childminder's garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. They are well supervised by the childminder who encourages children's awareness in their own safety by gentle reminders to be careful as they play, with each other, and as they move about. Children realise they need to step over some toys and play materials that are on the floor and that they need space to move a toy buggy around safely. Children receive clear explanations from the childminder about the need to be careful when some uncooked pasta they are playing with, breaks on the floor. She explains that the broken pasta is sharp, because it has not been cooked, and may hurt their feet.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a good range of toys and play materials, that are safe and in good condition. They are able to make choices, and help themselves to play materials safely, from a range set out on a low table and the floor. Appropriate furniture, such as a child size table and chairs, booster seats for adult chairs and a travel cot for children's rest, is provided enabling children to eat, play and rest safely. Safety precautions, such as stair gates and child proof locks, are in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected by the childminder's awareness of child protection issues and the procedure to follow if she has concerns. However, contact details for Social Services are not accessible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Fire precautions, such as smoke alarms, are fitted and maintained in working order, a fire blanket is fitted and accessible in the kitchen. The childminder's written evacuations procedure is displayed and this details arrangements to evacuate the premises in an emergency.

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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 a good range of activities and play experiences with the childminder. They have access to a good range of play materials that encourage their interest, exploration and development. For example, they enjoy cooking with pasta in the play kitchen, putting dolls into the buggy, covering them with a cosy comforter and pushing the buggy around. Children play with toy sharks and feel the shark's sharp teeth, warning each other not to put their finger's in the shark's mouth. Children have opportunities to mix in larger groups with their peers, when visiting local resources for under fives with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy and settled, their individual routines and developmental needs are taken into account by the childminder when planning daily activities. For example, she provides opportunities for younger children to increase their large motor skills and confidence in a safe indoor environment, by climbing on soft play equipment in a local play area, rather than the larger equipment in the park.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from good interaction with the childminder. They are reassured by physical cuddles and closeness, when they are unsure about a change in routine. The childminder sits on the floor, close by children as they play and encourages their language development well by repeating words and asking questions. Children play alongside the childminder's own child, chatting to each other as they play, pouring and mixing pasta together in the play kitchen.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are known well by the childminder, and their routines are followed, helping them to feel secure and settled in the childminder's care. Children have good opportunities to gain awareness of diversity and learn about the world they live in. For example, they see art work and a map of the world displayed in the childminder's home, have access to play materials, such as dolls and books that reflect diversity, and have discussions with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well, they are busy and interested in their play and exploration. Children hear the childminder talking politely and are encouraged to say please and thank you. Children's self esteem is encouraged through praise for kind actions and sharing toys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good communication between the childminder and parents result in information being shared well, and children receiving continuity of care. For example, in addition to daily verbal discussion, the childminder completes a daily diary which is shared with parents who add comments about home routines and information. Written policies and procedures providing clear information about the childminder's service, are given to parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. A good range of play materials and experiences are planned and provided for children, which they enjoy and which encourage their development. Children's health and safety is protected and systems are in place to record information relating to accidents and medication.

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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 The required written information and documentation is in place and attendance records maintained. Most documentation contains the required information, with the exception of contact numbers relating to child protection and updated information relating to Ofsted's contact details. The childminder has systems in place, such as discussions with other childminders and identifying training she is planning to attend, which keep her updated with developments in childcare.

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Improvements since the last inspection

During the last inspection an action was set regarding persons over the age of 16 completing the CRB vetting process. The childminder is aware of the process to follow regarding vetting procedures if any adults join the household.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Recommendations were set regarding installing a smoke alarm on each floor and providing parents with a copy of polices and procedures. Fire safety has been improved by a smoke alarm being fitted to the first floor, in addition to the ground floor, and parents are given copies of the childminder's policies and procedures.

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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. 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): • ensure contact details for social services are easily accessible • make sure Ofsted contact details are updated in the complaints procedure

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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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