Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY281739 Unique Reference Number 13 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 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 2004. She lives with her husband and three children aged 18, 15 and eight years in Cowley, in the London Borough of Hillingdon.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole home except for the ground floor bedroom is used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years. She is currently caring for three children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children to and collects them from Harmondsworth Primary School.

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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 good health is supported well as the childminder has effective procedures in place for the administration of medication, dealing with accidents and illness to minimise the potential for the spread of infection. All areas of the home accessible by children are very clean and comfortable. Children are helped to learn the importance of good hygiene to maintain good health as part of the daily routine and through discussions with the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of healthy meals and snacks provided by the childminder. She takes into account parents' wishes and children's choices so that she can meet individual dietary needs. Children sit together at meal times with younger children sitting securely in highchairs. The childminder gives appropriate support to enable them to feed themselves. Children are encouraged to take frequent drinks throughout the day. As a result, they begin to understand the different aspects of a healthy lifestyle.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to spend time outside in the fresh air, to be active and develop their physical skills. They play in the garden and explore the varied range of outdoor play equipment available. This caters for children of different ages and stages of development. The childminder takes children out for walks and includes outings to local parks and places of interest.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home is friendly and welcoming for children. She checks the equipment and toys frequently to ensure that they are safe for the children to use. The children choose from a large range of toys and equipment, which they independently access from the toy boxes in the lounge. Toys are rotated regularly so that the children get a good variety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. Steps have been taken to ensure that hazards to children are reduced and appropriate safety equipment is in place, for example, safety gates and plug guards. The childminder makes sure that the children are safe both inside and outside of the home. She has devised a detailed emergency evacuation plan, however, this has not been practised with children to ensure they can be evacuated quickly from the premises, if necessary.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection issues. She has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child, which ensures their welfare is safeguarded. The childminder understands the importance of keeping a signed record of children's existing injuries.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy themselves and have fun in a happy, homely environment. They benefit from a variety of activities and play opportunities available to them. The childminder offers a variety of activities each day, these include, cooking, assorted puzzles, using the computer, dressing

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 up and art and craft activities which enables children to explore their imagination and develop their creativity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have access to a wide variety of play materials and thus, they make their own decisions about what they do. They enjoy playing in the role play kitchen making meals for everyone, cutting and sticking collage materials to making pictures. The childminder rotates toys regularly to maintain children's interest and to help keep their play provision fresh. She makes suggestions for things that children might like to do and responds to their interests. Children have regular opportunities to mix with other children as the childminder takes them to the park, library and local places of interest. This enables them to develop their social skills and confidence, and experience different environments.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children involve the childminder in their play and they receive lots of warm, individual attention, which enables them to successfully extend their learning and experiences. Children are making good progress in all areas of their development as the childminder has a very good understanding of how children learn and develop in a supportive stimulating environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are settled and confident because the childminder values and respects their individuality. Children are good at taking turns and sharing. They are well behaved as the childminder provides consistent boundaries and offers a lot of praise and encouragement. Children enjoy close relationships with the childminder and learn to respect and be caring and considerate towards each other. Children make themselves at home, they select toys independently and help themselves to drinks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides a meaningful range of resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increases children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, books, puzzles and dolls. Children are able to feel good about themselves and develop their self-image as the childminder has a positive attitude towards inclusion.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very happy and content because the childminder has good relationships with the parents. They work together to meet the child's individual care and developmental needs. The childminder keeps parents verbally and in writing informed of their children's developmental progress and the activities that they have been involved in throughout the day. However, not all written consent has been obtained from parents. The childminder has a written complaints procedure in place, which is made available to parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and at ease in the well organised child focused environment. The childminder organises the day to include a good variety of indoor and outdoor play activities. This helps to ensure the progress of children's individual development and learning. They receive lots of warm, individual attention to promote their emotional wellbeing.

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Organisation

Documentation, to ensure the welfare and care of the children, is stored securely and made available for inspection. The childminder regularly shares these documents with parents, which keeps them well informed about the care that that is provided.

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Organisation

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 enjoy the time they spend with the childminder as she has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities. She is committed to providing a happy relaxed environment where children have good opportunities to develop and make progress in their learning. 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 was asked to increase the resources that provide positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. The childminder has improved the range of resources that reflect positive images of diversity. This will increase children's understanding and knowledge of the local and wider world we live in.

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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 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 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): • devise and practise an emergency evacuation plan • ensure all relevant parental consents are updated.

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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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