Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY266952 Unique Reference Number 17 March 2008 Inspection date Bharti Vakil 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 two adult children in Hounslow in the London borough of Ealing. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. There are no pets on the premises.

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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 minding eight children on a part time basis, mostly before and after school care only and some children during school holidays on a full time basis. The childminder also cares for children over eight years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder drives and walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Hounslow child minding network.

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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's health and welfare is thoroughly promoted and they are learning excellent hygiene practices; for example, washing hands before meals and after toileting and they have their own individual towels which are washed daily. The excellent adult support and guidance, helps children gain a real desire to become increasingly independent in their personal care. Young children independently visit the toilet and wash their hands and the childminder gently checks that they have done so. They are encouraged to wipe their noses from a box of tissues which are easily accessible. Their health is further safeguarded by the childminder's excellent understanding of meeting sick children's needs and her up-to-date knowledge of first aid for children. Parents receive comprehensive information about any accidents children may have and clear records are kept of medicine administration.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have wonderful opportunities to enjoy lots of fresh air and exercise. They have access to the back garden and a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. They participate in many activities to help develop small muscle movements. Children thoroughly enjoy joining in action songs. They knead and roll dough, use crayons, pencils and scissors. They have lovely opportunities to widen their experiences on outings to local toddler groups, parks and the soft play area where they explore an interesting range of activities. The childminder's good understanding about appropriate types of activities and levels of support gives them confidence to try out new skills, set their own limits and know when to ask for help.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children access drinks on a regular basis throughout the day and understand the need to remain hydrated. They are confident to ask for snacks when feeling hungry. For instance, during the inspection a young child asks for 'mamite toast' and relishes it with 'cunchy' carrot stick. Children's individual dietary needs are well catered for as the childminder has a comprehensive knowledge of individual and cultural needs of all children. Children are successfully well nourished through hearty home cooked meals and largely Mediterranean diet. Children enjoy helping with food preparation tasks, such as chopping fruits and participating in weekly planned cooking activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a warm and welcoming home as the childminder has organised the space in her home very well. Children rest and sleep in comfort where they feel secure. The setting is attractively decorated with posters, children's art work and photographs which contributes to the children's sense of self-worth and a feeling of being valued. Most potential hazards are identified and quickly rectified by the childminder as she carries out regular risk assessments. However, glass bottles in the bathroom may pose a risk to children. The childminder has developed sound emergency evacuation procedures. The escape plan is practised with children to ensure the quick and safe evacuation from the home, should the need arise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy an extensive range of good quality toys and equipment that are unreservedly safe and extremely well chosen for children of all ages. Children's individual needs are met effectively as the excellent range of equipment includes high chair, buggies, car seats, travel cots and toilet step. The vast range of high quality toys and resources are at low levels promoting

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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 children's independence as they self select and make choices in their play. They ask the childminder to get specific items out from the well stocked storage room.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected by the childminder who has a good understanding of child protection policies and procedures. This greatly contributes to the safety and welfare of the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit greatly from the childminder's excellent knowledge of child development and experience of working with young children. The childminder ensures that children have an extensive range of interesting experiences within the setting and she also takes them to places of interest. These include toddler groups, farms, Kew Garden to see 'Orchard Exhibition' and the British Museum to learn more about Roman and Egyptian cultures as follow up activities from the school curriculum. This provides the children with wonderful opportunities to explore a wider selection of activities, enjoy relationships with other children and gain understanding of their world.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have lots of fun and they play enthusiastically with a comprehensive range of toys and resources, which promotes their learning in all areas of development. For example, paper, crayons and pencils are easily accessible to enable them to practise their early writing skills. Children are developing their creativity as they paint and stick with a wide variety of materials and design their own T-shirts. They make cards for St. Patrick's Day, work co-operatively together to create a dragon to celebrate Chinese New Year, use the puppet theatre, construct with bricks or sit quietly to complete puzzles. Early reading skills are promoted very well as children snuggle up to the childminder to look at picture books and listen to stories. They take it in turns to turn pages of their favourite books 'Peek a Boo'' and 'Handa's Surprise'. Children are confident in responding to and asking questions; they communicate effectively with the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder who encourages their listening skills and stimulates their thinking. They thoroughly enjoy action rhymes and playing musical instruments.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides exceptionally good support and appropriate challenges to extend children's learning. She has a very good understanding of each child. Their interests are very well planned for and reflect the play and learning opportunities on offer. This enables the children to be confident enough to try out new skills, ask for help when needed and set their own limits within the safe environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit hugely from the excellent partnerships with parents. Parents are required to provide lots of pertinent information about their children's individual needs, for example, when very young children start, the childminder finds out about their individual routines and of the things that are special to them to enable her to make the children feel settled. The childminder keeps parents fully informed about their child's individual progress. Parents receive regular and thorough information about their child's day, ensuring that care is consistent and meets the individual needs of the children. The childminder has developed written policies and procedures and parents are given copies. Therefore, parents are clearly very well informed about the arrangements for the care of their children.

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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 Children are very well settled and very confident in their environment because the childminder spends good quality time talking and responding extremely well to children's individual needs. The childminder has a very good understanding of using age-appropriate behaviour management strategies which are consistently applied. For example, differences of opinion amongst school age children are discussed in a group situation. Children have further opportunities to use the computer to write their views and display them for future reference if they wish.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's awareness of diversity is increasing as they enjoy access to a very good selection of books, play materials and posters promoting positive images of diversity and disability. They have extensive opportunities to learn about the world around them through organised activities, socialising with other children and outings to places of interest. Children are learning to value their own and others' differences and similarities in highly effective ways. This is due to the superb planning and provision of the childminder. For example, children use the available books and the internet (with supervision) to find out detailed information about the significance of 'Raksha Bandhan'. The celebration of various festivals is linked with practical activities such as making cards, wrist bands and sampling food.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit because the childminder is extremely well-organised and she plans the day so there is a variety of activities and opportunities for the children both in and out of the home. Her home is set out to provide a very stimulating learning environment for young children and they enjoy the free choice of activities. The childminder is very warm and affectionate towards the children who are relaxed and very happy in her care.

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Organisation

All regulatory documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being are in place and regularly reviewed by the childminder. She is keen to review her risk assessments for children's safety. Children benefit from a highly skilled childminder and her commitment to training which enables her to keep up-to-date with current ideas and legislation.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection the childminder has developed knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures.

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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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Complaints 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

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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): • assess risks to children in relation to glass bottles and take action to minimise these.

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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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