Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY271395 Unique Reference Number 04 February 2008 Inspection date Susan Elizabeth Tovey 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 outstanding. 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 their two children aged eight and six years in Ickenham, in the London Borough of Hillingdon. Children have access to all areas of the home 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 four children at any one time, and is currently caring for two children under eight years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes and collects children from Breakspear school. She may, on occasions, work with another registered childminder or an assistant.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the Hillingdon Childminding 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 thrive because the childminder follows highly effective procedures and practices which meet the children's physical, nutritious and health needs. The childminder has excellent hygiene procedures in place that enable children to be cared for in an environment that greatly reduces the risk of infection. Children are protected from unnecessary illness and do not attend if they are contagious.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy an excellent range of healthy meals and snacks, which they eat sitting comfortably at the table, and enjoy sociable meal times with each other. The childminder takes into account parents' wishes and children's choices so that she can meet individual dietary needs. Children's independence is well promoted as older children have the opportunity to select their own snacks from the children's fridge in the playroom. They are able to access drinks regularly throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children explore, challenge and develop physical control in stimulating daily indoor and outdoor experiences. The childminder has a very thorough knowledge of Birth to three matters. Her excellent understanding of each child's stage of development means the youngest child is confident to try out new skills, gesture or ask for help when needed and set their own limits within the safe environment. Older children develop a very positive attitude to physical exercise. They delight in the challenge of a versatile range of activities, such as climbing on the adventure climbing frame, painting the garden fence with water and digging and exploring in the soil for mini beasts.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Risks of harm to children are at a minimum, as the childminder is extremely vigilant and uses thorough and highly effective risk assessments. The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to achieve a balance between freedom and setting safe limits, and how to involve children effectively in organising their environment. Children have a keen awareness of danger and how to protect themselves from harm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use high quality equipment and resources appropriate to their age and stage of development. Children with special needs will be safe and fully included because of the sensitive adult support and well planned adaptation of resources and activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a comprehensive understanding of all safety related issues and has in place all the relevant documentation to ensure children's safety.

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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 an excellent understanding of child protection policies and procedures and gives top priority to children's welfare. All of these measures greatly contribute to the safety and welfare of the 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 enormous fun and they play enthusiastically with a excellent range of toys and resources, which fully promote their learning. The children make excellent progress because the childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child. Close and caring relationships increase children's sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of self. Children play with a wide range of appropriate toys and join in activities such a painting at the easel, manipulating dough, using the computer, playing imaginative games in the Chinese Restaurant and Baby Clinic and playing musical instruments. They play and explore their world at their own pace because the childminder has a secure understanding of how children learn. She makes very good use of the Birth to three matters framework and the Foundation Stage of learning to plan exciting activities. The childminder gives them space to discover things for themselves but is always available to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

provide help or support when they need her.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children grow in confidence and independence through being able to choose and plan what they want to do next and enjoy a wealth of activities that help them learn, question, explore, and have lots of fun. Communication skills are extremely well supported through high quality adult-child interactions. All children are eager to learn, self assured in their play and confident to try new experiences. Children have great opportunities to experience the wider world when they visit the library and go to the park to feed the ducks. The children involve the childminder in their play and they receive an abundance of warm, individual attention, which enables them to successfully extend their learning and experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder values and respects the children as individuals therefore, they are very settled and confident in her care. Their behaviour is exceptional. The childminder has a very positive, clear and consistent approach to behaviour management, which means children know what is expected of them and they feel very secure. Children play very happily together, they learn to share and take turns, as the childminder uses her skills to encourage and help them develop their relationships with each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children enjoy participating in festival celebrations, for example, the children are having a party for Chinese New Year in their own restaurant they have made decorations, are going to dress up, and eat rice and noodles with chopsticks. Children learn to value differences through sensitive discussions, stories and the use of developmentally appropriate resources. They are receptive to the childminder's inspiring role modelling. The children have many opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them through organised activities, socialising at activity groups and outings to local places of interest. This positive approach enables the children to develop their social and cultural awareness. The childminder is teaching the children to be aware of their environment and encourages them to re-cycle. Each week one child is the 'Eco monitor' and is in charge of placing the waste in the right re-cycle bins outside.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The excellent partnership with parents and carers contributes to the children's care and well-being. The childminder provides detailed information about the service that she provides including well written policies, daily routines and family details. Children are very happy and content because parents share information about their child's individual needs, interests and experiences with the childminder. Children's routines and activities are shared daily, so 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 are looked after according to parents' wishes and the childminder ensures she has an excellent understanding of their opinions and attitudes.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's care is greatly enhanced by the exceptional quality of the organisation of the setting.

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Organisation

The home is extremely well organised. Indoor and outdoor space is laid out to maximise play opportunities for children. All legally required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and wellbeing is in place and regularly reviewed. These are shared regularly with parents to keep them very well informed about the service and their child's activities. This contributes to excellent continuity in the children's care.

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Organisation

Children benefit from a highly motivated and extremely skilled childminder. She is committed to continuous improvement and developing her skills to benefit the children by accessing training for example, National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in childcare. Record keeping is of a very high standard and the childminder has developed her policies and procedures to underpin the outstanding service provided to the children. The day revolves completely around the children who are extremely happy, secure, highly involved and having fun.

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Organisation

The high quality of the provision means that the childminder meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to maintain a record, which is signed by parents, of any accidents to children. An accident log is in place to record any accidents to children which is signed by parents. As a result the children's safety and wellbeing is enhanced.

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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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 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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