Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY273565 Unique Reference Number 20 February 2008 Inspection date Nicola Hill 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 1990. She lives with her husband and their two adult children in a semi-detached house in Isleworth. The property is close to local schools and amenities and there is a park nearby. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding, with toilet and sleeping facilities available on this floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have two pet cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends the local childminder drop-in groups. She holds a valid first aid qualification. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding five children aged between 13 months and seven years, who all attend on a part-time basis. She is not registered to provide overnight care.

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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 a clean, warm and caring environment where effective procedures and practices ensure that children's physical, nutritional and health needs are fully addressed. The childminder provides good support and guidance to ensure that children develop a good understanding of hygiene, such as washing hands after toileting and before eating. Older children state readily that they must wash their hands otherwise germs might make them poorly. The childminder aims to protect children from the spread of infection by asking that parents respect her policy with regard to the care of sick children. However, she feels her lack of a formal written policy has prevented her from fully enforcing this in the past. The childminder maintains an up-to-date first aid certificate and has appropriate permissions and records in place regarding the treatment of injuries and seeking emergency medical advice.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities for daily physical exercise, so they get fresh air and learn about the need for regular exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. For example, they go on walks along the river to feed the ducks and play in the garden on the slide, seesaw and wheeled toys. Children also visit the local parks and play centres so that they can enjoy vigorous play using a variety of equipment. There is plenty of space within the home for babies to develop their crawling skills and the childminder supports babies well who are learning to stand unaided and walk, through the use of appropriate equipment and lots of praise. Children are able to rest and be active according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The food provided by the childminder is nutritious and freshly prepared, which promotes children's good health. The childminder keeps up-to-date with training in food safety and hygiene, which ensures children remain well protected from the good food preparation procedures in place. Children enjoy plenty of fruit and vegetables that the childminder incorporates into snacks, lunches and freshly cooked hot meals, such as soups, pasta dishes, mild chilli and roast dinners. The childminder discusses and records individual parental wishes and children's dietary needs to ensure she meets the needs of the individual children. Children have regular access to drinks and enjoy the social interaction at meal times with the childminder and the children all sitting together and chatting happily.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder organises space within the home effectively, creating a child-friendly environment which enables the children to explore whilst being appropriately supervised. Children have free access to both the living room and dining room, and develop their independence as they make their own choices about where they wish to play. Children have access to plenty of resources that are appropriate for their age and developmental stage. Resources are easily accessible to younger children and these are rotated to ensure their interest is well maintained. Older children can make their own informed choices about what they would like to play with. The childminder regularly checks the toys to ensure they are clean and in a good condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The environment is safe and secure both inside and outdoors. All potential risks to children are identified and minimised by the childminder. All safety features are in place in the areas of the home where children have access, and the childminder acts as a good role model, ensuring

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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 are learning about the importance of staying safe. For example, she discusses road safety with them when out on walks and has effective procedures in place for emergency evacuation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected as the childminder maintains constant supervision both inside and outside the home. Unvetted persons are never left unattended with children and the childminder is in the process of ensuring all family members over the age of 16, obtain a criminal records check. The childminder has all the consents and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. She has a sufficient understanding of child protection issues, although she is not currently aware of the guidelines available in the 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused' booklet.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder demonstrates she is able to meet the varying needs of the children she cares for. She is interested in what the children say and do and spends her time involved in their play and offering support and encouragement. The childminder continually praises the children for their achievements and efforts, which increases their self-esteem. Children are self-assured, participate in activities with enthusiasm and are eager to initiate conversations with the childminder and visitors to the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Well planned routines ensure children have opportunities for play and rest and enjoy visits to places within the local community, such as the park, the library, the urban farm and the nearby reptile and butterfly house, which encourages children's interest in the wider world. Children also have good opportunities to socialise with other children through visits to toddler groups, play centres and childminder drop-ins, which develops their ability to relate to a wider group of adults and peers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are involved in a broad range of age appropriate activities both spontaneous and planned, which support their learning and development. The childminder has regard for the Birth to three matters framework to support the activities she provides, although she does not yet formally record her observations on the children's development. The children are busy, motivated and absorbed in their play as they sit around the table to play with the playdough. Older children pretend to make spaghetti and pancakes and use describing words such as 'smooth' and 'cold' as they talk with the childminder. Babies explore the texture of the playdough and enjoy squeezing it between their hands, whilst toddlers push their playdough through modelling tubes to make different shapes. One child manages to balance a rolling pin upright in the playdough and says 'Ta da'. Babies are given plenty of encouragement when they attempt

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to stand unaided and chuckle with delight as the childminder entertains them with a puppet. Older children happily play with the younger children, helping them with puzzles or helping them to match pictures during a board game. The children are very happy and content in the childminder's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued as individuals and are treated as one of the family. They have a good relationship with the childminder who knows them well and responds sensitively to their individual and specific needs. Children feel secure because they understand the consistent boundaries and house rules. They respond well to the childminder's clear guidance and praise

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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 and help to tidy up when asked. Their confidence grows because the childminder gives lots of encouragement and acknowledges their achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shows a good understanding of equal opportunities and of promoting inclusion in her childminding practice. She ensures the children are well informed about the multicultural society they live in because she talks to them about diversity and respecting the differences in others. This is also achieved as a range of festivals are acknowledged and children take trips out into the community. The childminder also ensures all children have equal access to all toys so there is no gender discrimination.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive relationships the childminder has developed with the parents. Parents are encouraged to share information about their child, which helps the childminder to meet the children's individual needs successfully. The childminder discusses some aspects of her business with the parents, such as her sickness and complaints policies, and has other written policies and procedures, to ensure they are well informed of the main aspects of the childminder's business. The childminder takes time on a daily basis to exchange information with parents about their child's care and achievements.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are relaxed, happy and confidently make themselves at home in a well-organised environment. Space is effectively organised to meet the needs of the children so that they are able to initiate their own play and learning, and involve the childminder as needed. The childminder prepares and organises herself and her time successfully in order to meet the needs of all the children in her care. For example, she plans more complex and 'grown up' activities for the older children on days when the younger children do not attend, such as trips to the cinema. Activities are planned well, provide sufficient challenge and the days are full and run smoothly.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to on-going training to enhance her good practice with children, and has recently gained a Level 3 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in Early Years Care and Education. Required adult to child ratios are maintained at all times, ensuring the children are well supported. All of the required documentation that contributes to the children's safety, health and wellbeing is in place and generally well maintained. There are a couple of minor weaknesses in the organisation however, as children's full names have not been recorded in the attendance register and the childminder does not always promptly record children's arrival. In addition, the childminder has not displayed her certificate of registration clearly for visitors and parents to view. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

No recommendations were raised at the previous care inspection.

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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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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): • further develop awareness of child protection procedures through the guidelines detailed in the 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused' booklet • ensure the certificate of registration is clearly on view at all times when minded children are present, and improve the organisation of the attendance register by ensuring the time of children's arrival is promptly recorded and that children's full names are entered.

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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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