Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY277166 Unique Reference Number 13 March 2008 Inspection date Arda Halls 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 three children aged 14 years, 11 years and three years in the Harrow Road area of the City of Westminster.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the third floor flat is used for childminding except for the balcony. There is no access

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

to an outdoor area but children are regularly taken to the local park.

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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 minding one child under five all day.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local drop-in groups. The family has no pets. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has experience of caring for children with English as an additional language.

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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's health and hygiene is well promoted as the childminder sustains a good level of cleanliness throughout her home. The premises are clean and well maintained and children are learning about personal hygiene as they wash their hands with liquid soap and dry them with their own individual towels. They are reminded to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating food. Appropriate methods are in use for food preparation, such as the washing of fruits before eating. The childminder ensures that children have their own cups at snack time. Children are protected from unnecessary illness as they do not attend if they have an infection, such as chickenpox or conjunctivitis as they are very contagious. Children are safeguarded by the childminder's good understanding of emergency first aid. For example, the childminder knows how to clean a wound and how to stem the flow of blood in an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

She knows how to call for an ambulance and how to record and share the details of an accident with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in a range of daily indoor and outdoor activities for fresh air and exercise which promotes their well-being and helps them to acquire good physical skills. For example, children enjoy dancing and exercising to music while they are indoors. They enjoy playing outside with mini bikes in a paved area and playing on swings and slides in the local park.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy nutritious meals and snacks which establish healthy eating habits from an early age. Children enjoy foods from home which are warmed up by the childminder. Children may have fresh food prepared by the childminder, such as a selection of meats or fish and fruits and vegetables. Their dietary requirements are taken into account which ensures that their individual food preferences are met. Children enjoy healthy snacks, such as cut up fruits and a fruit squash mid morning. They have access to their beakers of juice or water at anytime throughout the day.

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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 welcoming family home. The environment is well maintained and there is a good use of space to help children to explore independently and to rest, eat and play comfortably. Children are gaining independence and self-confidence because the childminder encourages them to make choices and explore their toys. They choose puzzles or drawing, playing with building materials or singing and dancing whenever they like. Children are encouraged to self select for themselves from easily accessible boxes and low shelving.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Toys and equipment are suitable, well maintained and clean. The toys meet the children's individual needs and are appropriate for their age and development. Toys are checked for safety at regular intervals. This reduces any hazards which helps keep children safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a child focused environment where most risks are identified. However, on the day of inspection not all electric sockets are protected and there are hazards accessible to children in the bathroom. Emergency escape plans have been devised and are displayed on the door of the flat. Smoke alarms and a fire blanket are in place and dangerous substances are inaccessible in the kitchen. Appropriate arrangements are in place to ensure children are kept safe on outings. First aid kits, wet tissues and care documents are taken on outings.

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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 keeping themselves safe as they discuss outings and discuss potential dangers, such as crossing roads and not talking to strangers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected through the childminder's thorough understanding of her role and responsibility in safeguarding children. She is aware of the indicators of abuse, the importance of recording any concerns and aware of the procedures for reporting any concerns. She has up to date references on safeguarding children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy watching cartoons, singing and dancing to the background music. They examine dolls of different cultures and discuss their differences. They work together trying to put nappies on the dolls. Children are asked to pick up their bowls and to tidy up their toys which they do without hesitation. They change from one activity to another as they please. They make puzzles on the floor matching the pictures with the letters of the alphabet. They enjoy this play and work hard to match up all the letters. They extend the game by making their names with the letters. They enjoy finding all the letters and they learn great skills of concentration. They are preparing for school and they are having fun. Children enjoy looking at photographs of different children and remembering the names of the children. They laugh and they recite the names.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are free to colour and draw throughout the day. They choose different coloured papers and decide if they want to colour or draw. Sometimes they enjoy mixing the crayons and pencils together. Older children enjoy studying geometric shapes which they discuss in detail. Children choose printed sheets of numbers, shapes or letters of the alphabet to colour. They thoroughly enjoy the freedom to come and go at this easily accessible activity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children sit on the floor with the childminder reading books. They enjoy selecting their favourites and they laugh as the stories are read. The childminder reads in Portuguese as that is the children's first language. She translates words from Portuguese to English and the children laugh. This is effective child centred learning and a good example of children learning a second language through their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy at the childminder's home. They are familiar with the daily routine which enables them to feel safe. The children enjoy mutually respectful relationships with the childminder. She knows their individual personalities and needs very well. Children respond to her caring manner and are happy and secure in her care. Children have access to a varied supply of toys and resources to promote positive self images of different cultures, gender and ability. They enjoy exploring the toys and discussing them with the childminder. Boys and girls have an equal chance to play and learn through their experiences. Dolls, puzzles and play figures all portray the multi-cultural environment in which the children live. Children benefit from the range of celebrations that are observed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with learning difficulties or disabilities are welcome in the childminder's home as she has a positive attitude towards this area of childcare. The childminder has no experience in looking after children with learning difficulties or disabilities, however,0 through discussion she indicates that she would be sensitive to children's needs and work with their parents in a caring and sensitive manner.

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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 generally well behaved and are developing their confidence and self-esteem as the childminder encourages the children in their behaviour. Children are developing a positive self-image of themselves as the childminder offers praise and encouragement in their daily activities. Older children respond well to the techniques used to manage behaviour, however, younger children do not respond as well. They cry and do not understand the concept of 'being sorry' or spending 'time out'. Distraction is not explored as an alternative management technique.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder establishes good working relationships with parents to ensure the well-being of children and completes and shares information. Contracts and care arrangements are completed with parents. Consent information is in place including consent for medical advice and treatment in an emergency. The childminder is aware of children's individual needs and discusses all care arrangements with the parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. There have been no changes in the household since the last inspection. The childminder displays the certificate of registration in a prominent place. She is warm and affectionate towards the children, therefore they are relaxed and happy in her care. She organises the day to include a variety of play activities and physical exercise. This helps to ensure the children's overall developmental progress.

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Organisation

Children are becoming confident and independent. They are developing good self-esteem and learning to talk and play using their imaginations. They are learning to socialise with others as they visit a variety of children's groups on a daily basis. Through these experiences they are developing a wider understanding of the English language which prepares them for the next stage in their education.

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Organisation

All of the required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being is in place. Documentation is organised in a file and stored away to maintain confidentiality. Children's names and hours of attendance are well recorded and parent's signatures are in place. Children receive continuity of care as their routines and achievements are shared between parents and the childminder. Overall, 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: provide individual towels for children. This has been done which promotes children's good health. She also provides resources to reflect and promote positive attitudes towards the wider world, the male gender and disability. This has been done which helps children learn more about each other and the wider world.

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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): • conduct risk assessments to ensure that electric sockets are protected and hazardous substances such as sprays and toilet brush are made inaccessible to children • Review strategies for management of children's behaviour to ensure appropriate techniques are in place for young children

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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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