Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY265438 Unique Reference Number 28 January 2008 Inspection date Hilary Turner 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 has been registered since 1993. She lives with her two school aged children. The home is in a residential road close to Hounslow town centre, in the London Borough of Hounslow. Main travel routes, schools and local amenities are within walking distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The children have access to all areas of the home and the enclosed garden is available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years and currently cares for four children for a variety of sessions.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 are cared for in welcoming and well maintained surroundings. Standards of cleanliness are very good throughout and children benefit from the effectively organised hygiene routines of the childminder. Nappy changing arrangements are well managed, for example, children have their own individual nappy changing mats and nappies are disposed of appropriately. Children are positively encouraged to learn about the importance of personal hygiene habits, such as hand washing and wiping noses.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's general health is well protected because the childminder has a clear sickness policy and also takes effective practical steps if a child becomes ill in her care. The childminder is qualified in first aid and is well prepared in the event of an accident or emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to provide them with a healthy, well balanced diet. Meals take good account of children's individual dietary needs and preferences and provide children with a good range of healthy options. Children eat fresh fruit and vegetables on a daily basis. They independently access drinking water throughout the day as they have their own individual water bottles which are always close by.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder understands well the importance of ensuring children have daily fresh air and exercise. She uses her good local knowledge to ensure children enjoy a range of physically challenging activities in nearby parks and playgrounds.

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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 enjoy the ample space in which to play in the very attractive environment the childminder's home provides. Photographs of the children and children's art work are displayed and they have individual coat pegs, all of which helps children develop a sense of belonging. Children enjoy exploring their surroundings because they are well supervised and space is organised with their needs in mind.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected because the childminder demonstrates very good safety awareness and takes effective practical precautions to minimise any risks. This includes having a clear written emergency evacuation procedure which is practised with the children. Equipment is safe and easily accessible which means children are able to comfortably help themselves from an extensive range of very well cared for toys and equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are beginning to learn about personal safety as the childminder gently reinforces this through every day routines, when on outings and indoors. Furthermore a child confidently explains as they use a toy knife to cut play dough that knives are dangerous and says, "You must be sensible when using a knife as they are really for grown ups".

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are further protected because the childminder is well informed about her role and responsibility in safeguarding their welfare. She is clear about the process for monitoring, recording and reporting any concerns, however, is slightly less secure in the procedures to follow if an allegation of abuse is made about herself or a family member. Although, the childminder is guided by the written procedures she has in place which are clearly displayed; and parents are advised in writing about her role in protecting the interests of 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 outstanding. Children have a wonderful time at the childminder's. They have great fun as they learn in a stimulating, exciting, and safe environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children achieve exceptionally well as the childminder is highly skilled and experienced. For example, the childminder purposefully asks them questions about what they are doing, she listens to what they say to find out what they know and then extends their understanding, for example, talking about and reinforcing the children's knowledge and understanding of colours, numbers and size.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has successfully implemented early years guidance such as Birth to three matters to provide high quality care and education. She skilfully plans activities, provides time for free play and knows the learning outcomes for the children well. She instinctively knows when to support them in their play and when to stand back. Children are beginning to learn to use their imagination well, for example, as they enjoy role play dressing up as fire fighters. The childminder extends this self initiated play by talking about the role of fire fighters and then practising a fire drill with the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They are growing in confidence because the childminder gives them time and encouragement to develop new skills. Wonderful individual scrap books containing children's art work, photos and observations demonstrate how well children make progress. Children take great delight in sharing their scrap books, confidently recalling previous happy experiences at the childminder's and giggle as they look at pictures of themselves when they were babies.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy close and caring relationships which increases their sense of trust and helps develop a strong sense of self. They enjoy being close and interacting with the childminder through sharing books and singing songs. They are learning rhyme and rhythm and developing a love of stories and books.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from being cared for in a warm, family atmosphere where they feel valued and secure. Their overall individual care needs are extremely well met. Children benefit from a detailed information gathering process at the start of their placement which forms the basis of their ongoing care arrangements. Parents are asked to complete a detailed questionnaire which includes details of their child's daily routines and any special dietary or care requirements. The childminder has very effective communication systems in place to ensure parents' views are actively sought; and they are kept very well informed about their child's progress. For example, yearly progress and developmental records are kept and shared with parents; and verbal feedback is shared at the end of each day. However, although a written complaints procedures is in place, it has not been updated in line with current legislation. Parents comment

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Helping children make a positive contribution

they are very happy with the care and learning their children receive.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have access to a good selection of resources, such as books and play figures which reflect different cultures, religions and disability. This helps children to develop a positive image of themselves and the wider world.

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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 Age appropriate and positive strategies are used to manage behaviour positively. For example, young children are learning to play together and the childminder reinforces this by talking about being gentle and kind to each other. Consequently, the concept of right and wrong is being reinforced in ways the children understand. Colourful stickers are used well as means of an incentive or reward which these young children respond to very positively.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from being cared for by a motivated and attentive childminder who demonstrates a commitment and enthusiasm to continuously update and develop her professional childcare skills, for example, the Birth to three matters framework which she has successfully implemented into her childminding practice; and she is currently attending training to obtain a diploma in Home Child Care.

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Organisation

There is sufficient well organised space for the number of children the childminder is registered to care for and it is organised in a safe, child friendly way. The childminder is very warm and caring and she places a strong emphasis on all areas of children's care, welfare and development.

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Organisation

Documentation is well organised and policies and procedures are mostly effective in practice to protect children's health and safety. These are all clearly communicated to parents at the start of a placement. A written confidentiality clause is also included.

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Organisation

The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection a recommendation was raised to consider implementing written plans of activities. The childminder now has written weekly plans of activities that are used flexibly to meet the needs of the children and which reflect the Birth to three matters framework.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 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. 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):

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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 • update the complaints procedure in line with current legislation.

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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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