Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY252633 Unique Reference Number 23 November 2007 Inspection date Martha Naa Ahimah Darkwah 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 first registered in August 2003. She lives with her husband and three children of primary and secondary school age. The property is a ground floor flat in Shepherds Bush with good transport links.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Childminding takes place in the living room, and the bedroom on same level is used for as a play room. There is a secure garden leading off this bedroom.

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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, part time different days of the week.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and or disabilities and children with English as an additional language. She speaks fluent French and Arabic.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association and a member of the Cunningham Childminding Network. She has a quality assurance certificate award.

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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 outstanding. Children gain an excellent understanding of good hygiene practices and personal care through very well organised daily routines. Carefully planned activities and excellent interaction between the childminder and children promotes their understanding of staying healthy, for example, children learn how to wash their hands after playing outside and toileting. The childminder has devised an excellent range of polices and procedures, which are shared with parents, to support her childminding practice, for example children who are infectious are not allowed to attend in order to prevent the spread of contagious ailments to other children. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate, which means she can give appropriate care to children if there is an accident. She is very precise about recording any accidents in a log book, which is then brought to parents notice.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from very healthy and nutritional meals and snacks which are freshly prepared and presented to encourage children to eat a variety of different foods, for example at lunch time, children enjoy crashed wheat with carrots and peas with yoghurt for dessert. Children enjoy mealtimes because sufficient time is given for them to savour and enjoy their food. They decide the amount they wish to eat to encourage their independence and meal times are social occasions where the children and childminder sit together to encourage positive social interaction. Children are able to help themselves to drinks throughout the day and enjoy a range of fresh fruit, vegetables and finger foods at snack time. The childminder is very aware that children need to drink plenty of water throughout the day, and is vigilant about ensuring they always have a drink of water to hand. A daily diary containing details of the children's

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Helping children to be healthy

food intake is given to parents each day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children join in all areas of physical play enthusiastically because the childminder plans and organises a stimulating and diverse range of activities. Ideas gained at a recent intensive music movement training enables the childminder to organise a broad range of interesting music based activities to support children's development and appreciation of different music. Children benefit from daily outdoor play activities in the garden. The children wear protective wet play suit for playing comfortably outside, for example, they engage in balls games, sand play ride on toys and push-a-long toys. Additionally, children play with larger soft play equipment and bouncy castles at a drop in group and the local park. Children’s fine motor skills are progressed by activities that, for example, encourage them to use tools such as cutters and rolling pins to manipulate play dough. Children experience fresh air daily as they are explore activities set out

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Helping children to be healthy

in the garden and enjoy time spent in the park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play in a secure environment where they can move around safely and where high priority is given to their personal safety. The childminder takes maximum precautions to prevent accidents, for example by using socket covers and door slammer guards, stair gates, cupboard locks in areas where children could be at risk. She has an excellent understanding of creating a balance between encouraging children's freedom and setting limits to maintain their safety in her home. She has been proactive in ensuring children's safety in case of accident, fire or when on outings in case of a lost child, for example, a number of carefully written procedures on this is shared with parents and displayed in the childminders home.

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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 The childminder is extremely vigilant about safety and gives excellent priority to keeping children safe in the home, enabling them to move around with confidence. Children have a choice of in and outdoor play. In the garden, children have easy and safe access to an excellent range of toys and resources appropriate for their age, all of which are maintained in very good condition. High priority is given to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe. The childminder is also vigilant about children's safety when on outings, and ensures younger children travel in a double buggy that has a harness for each child. She has parent’s permission to use her car and ensures safety in the car with good use of age appropriate equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected by the childminder who has a clear and robust understanding in all aspects of child protection. Comprehensive and effective policies and procedures are in place to promote children's welfare. The childminder is fully aware of the indicators of abuse and the procedures for reporting any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle into the environment well and are happy, confident and eager to learn through play. They have a choice of in and outdoor play for part of the day weather permitting. They are involved in a stimulating range of activities which are interesting and fun developing creativity and imagination. Activities are carefully planned to match the needs and ages of the children attending. The childminders good knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework results in children being busy and fully occupied. The childminder understands how children learn and develop and provides suitable challenges and support as a result children make good progress.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They have great fun as they play together. They sing songs and read stories about different animals and play with a number of interactive animal soft toys. Children are kind and support the younger children, for example, children are delighted to build a wooden train track encouraged by the childminder. They all laugh with excitement when younger children push the blue train under the bridge happily saying 'tsoo tsoo' as she pushes the trains over the track. The child is happy when the childminder praise her by saying 'good girl bravo' thereby feeling confident.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children really enjoy story time together as they snuggled up with the childminder as she reads to them. Children have wonderful opportunities to use their imagination because the childminder provides excellent props for role play to promote learning and heighten children's enjoyment and promote learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children engaged in number puzzle. The childminder asked ' how many trains have you got'? They count together and she says ‘we have two missing here’ thereby helping children with counting and number concepts.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are totally absorbed and interested in everything they do and are confident to try new experiences. Children show care and concern for each other, sharing hugs and playing co-operatively alongside each other. Children seize opportunities to develop their independence and take great pride in demonstrating what they can do, for example they put away their toys before going out into the garden to explore other activities and older children feed themselves at lunch times.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are made welcome. The childminder ensures that on arrival, the play room has a range of resources that are presented attractively. Each child is valued and included in every aspect of the daily routine. Activities are meaningful, stimulating and fun and adapted to meet the individual needs of each child. Consequently, children love their time in the childminder's home and are confident and self-assured. There is a good balance between planned and child initiated activities and includes quieter as well as active times. Children have choices in their play which ensures that they are interested in what they do.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder gives children regular opportunities to learn about the world they live in through outings and activities that introduce them to other cultures, for example by attending a regular parent toddler group where children socialise with a rich ethnic mix of local people. Their appreciation of other cultures is enhanced by the variety of resources that reflect different cultures, and they have opportunities to listen to music from different countries. The childminder has a good understanding of how to support children with learning difficulties.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good due to the clear boundaries and positive role model set by the childminder. She continually reinforces positive behaviour by thanking children for listening and responding to requests. Children understand the difference between right and wrong and are encouraged to develop good manners and respect for others. Children gain self-control and very young children learn to share and take turns in an amicable way.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed good relationships with parents who are kept informed of how their child is progressing. This is both verbally and in the form of detailed daily diaries which gives a good account of how the children spend their time whilst with the childminder and the stimulating range of activities they are involved in.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are happy with the service provided by the childminder. The childminder has in place brief information on dealing with complaints. However, this could be developed further by the childminder devising a complaints procedure in line with current regulations for the wellbeing of children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the well organised routine and stimulating programme of activities. Children are very happy, comfortable and settled in a warm and caring environment where their individual needs are met. They spend their time purposefully as the childminder has organised the space in home to meet the children’s individual needs. They are relaxed as they respond warmly to the childminders easy going and warm personality. The two co-minders work very well as a team to the maximum benefit of the children.

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Organisation

Good and comprehensively written policies and procedures are in places which are individual to the setting. They address the National Standards and have a positive impact on children's safety and well-being. All documentation is shared with parents to keep them well informed about the service. Detailed daily diaries record children's progress in all areas of their development and these are shared with parents.

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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 Children benefit from the care of a childminder who is highly motivated, has a keen interest in enhancing the knowledge and experience in child care which subsequently ensures that all children are able to develop their full potential. 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 agreed to develop knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures and request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder has attended training in child protection procedures gaining good knowledge of how to protect children. Additionally, she has obtained written permission for seeking emergency medical treatment and developed a clear action plan to safeguard children in an emergency.

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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): • implement a complaints log for the recording of any complaints made by parents relating to the National Standards

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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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