Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY248415 Unique Reference Number 04 February 2008 Inspection date Kerryn Matthews 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 2003. She lives with her husband and three children aged 12, 10 and two years of age in Hayes in the London borough of Hillingdon. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding and 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 three children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five and two children aged eight before and after school, some children have varying days and times.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has a pet cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained home. They are developing good personal hygiene skills as hand washing is encouraged at appropriate times during the day, such as after

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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 using the toilet. The childminder has good procedures in place to prevent the spread of infection. For example, children do not attend if they are unwell. A written sick child policy supports the childminder's practice. Appropriate accident and medication records are maintained. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate which enables her to deal with an emergency appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical health is promoted by the childminder. They benefit from playing outdoors in the garden, visiting local parks and walking to and from school each day. Children are learning to take responsibility for their own safety when outdoors as the childminder talks to them about road safety and encourages them to hold on to the buggy when out walking.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a good range of snacks and meals to promote their health and growth. The childminder understands the importance of providing healthy home cooked foods and offers children snacks of fruit and drinks of diluted natural juices.

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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, where safety precautions are in place. The childminder has a detailed written emergency evacuation plan in the event of a fire occurring, smoke alarms and a fire blanket in place. The evacuation plan is practised regularly with the children ensuring that they are protected from the risks of fire. The children are able to play and sleep in comfort using furniture appropriate for their ages. The childminder ensures that furniture and play equipment is safe, clean and in good condition as she carries out regular checks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have plenty of space to play and move around freely. They access good quality toys and resources that are appropriate for their age and stage of development. These are arranged in transparent storage boxes to ensure that they are readily available and that children are making independent choices.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is able to safeguard children's welfare as she has sufficient knowledge and understanding of child protection and written information available for reference. However, the childminder's knowledge and understanding could be enhanced in this area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder provides an interesting range of activities and play experiences that are age appropriate and extend children's learning. Children are happy and settled with the childminder, she gets on well with the children in her care and encourages lots of conversation to help develop children's language skills. This is enhanced by the childminder joining in with simple board games and talking with the children about what they are doing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from lots of opportunities for outdoor activities and also visits to the library and local toddler groups each week, which enables them to socialise with others and broaden their experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder knows the children well and their individual needs, routines and interests are taken into account when planning daily activities. Children play well together, sharing and

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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 taking turns. They are comfortable in each others company as they sit together in one armchair with a snack, chatting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are treated as individuals and the childminder strives to ensure that their individual care needs are met. Children are settled and confident in the childminder's care because they are valued and respected as individuals. They are learning about diversity through the resources that they use whilst at the childminder's home when they play with puzzles and read books that include positive images. Children's involvement in activities and discussions about different festivals and celebrations is limited even though the childminder has attended further training in this area.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder believes in an inclusive environment and has experience of caring for children with differing physical needs and abilities. She is able to offer parents practical support and looks at children's specific needs to ensure that she is able to offer the best possible care to all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good. The childminder encourages the children to share and take turns. She has a detailed written behaviour management policy in place that supports her good practice. Children are beginning to take responsibility for their actions and learn right and wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has good relationships with parents and has effective methods of communication which promote the children's' welfare. The childminder has a written procedure and systems in place to enable her to deal effectively with complaints. Relevant information is contained on the children's record forms which ensures that the childminder is aware of the children's needs and parents wishes.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are comfortable and feel secure in the childminder's home which has well organised play space, allowing them to move around freely. Clear written policies and procedures are in place and shared with parents, ensuring that the children are well cared for. The childminder displays her certificate of registration, which reassures parents that she is complying with her conditions. This also supports building positive relationships with parents and ensures that they are well informed.

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Organisation

The childminder has attended further training which she generally uses to enhance her good practice, including understanding children's behaviour and disability awareness.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that all hazards are made inaccessible to children. She was also asked to add to the resources that promote anti-discriminatory practice. Both of these have been achieved as the childminder's home is free of hazards and she has enhanced her range of resources that promote anti discriminatory practice by purchasing books

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Improvements 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 and puzzles that reflect positive images. These improvements ensure that the children's safety is maintained and that they are well cared for.

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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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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): • incorporate differing festivals and celebrations into the children's day to day learning and development • enhance knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding 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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