Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY336915 Unique Reference Number 05 December 2007 Inspection date Linda Close 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 2006 and lives on the fifth floor of a small block of flats, in the London borough of Westminster, close to public transport systems. The living room, bathroom, one bedroom and a playroom are used for childminding purposes. The childminder lives with her two children. One is below statutory school age and the other is a young adult. The childminder speaks fluent Spanish and English. She uses local parks, toddler groups and playgroups on a regular basis and she visits the local library with the children. She works in her own home with another childminder who has been registered since 1999. The childminder has an assistant who works with her from time to time. There are four children on roll aged from 17 months to nine years. Two children are present at the time of this inspection aged 17 months and two years six months.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a clean, well maintained environment where they learn the importance of good personal hygiene. They wash their hands before eating and after messy activities and the

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 childminder talks to them about it so that they understand. Each child has a clean hand towel for their personal use which helps to prevent cross-infection. Children's good health is supported well because the childminder ensures that parents know not to bring them if they are unwell. Accident and medication records are neatly kept and shared with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy snacks of fresh fruit and they take frequent drinks of water. Menus are based on healthy foods that suit all of the children attending and they are devised by both of the childminders working together. Children sit down together at a small table in the playroom and they enjoy the social aspect of their meal times. All dietary and medical needs are discussed with parents and recorded on children's registration forms.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are taken to local parks on a regular basis. They also visit the local drop-in centre for lively play with others. The daily outings always involve walking which helps children to develop a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have ample space for play, meals and rest. An electronic door release ensures that the outer door to the building is only opened by residents and the flat door is kept locked to keep children safe. Daily risk assessments are conducted by both childminders working together. They check that socket covers and safety gates are firmly in place and that soft covers are on table corners to prevent accidents. However, there is an area of the playroom floor that is smooth and children may slip if playing in socks. Furniture is all stable and secure apart from one bookcase which poses a small risk to children. Children's toys are checked for cleanliness, washed often and maintained in good condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected well from the risk of fire. They have practiced leaving the building with the childminders in an emergency situation and records show that the evacuation took a very short time. Smoke alarms are in place and a fire blanket is sited appropriately in the kitchen. Effective child protection procedures promote children's welfare while they are in the childminder's care. She has attended training and knows what signs or symptoms suggest ill-treatment. She has a file of relevant contact information to hand if she has concerns about children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from the childminder's keen interest in training for her own professional development. It is evident from the way she plans activities and helps children to learn that she has a particularly good knowledge and understanding of the Birth to three matters framework. Children are learning new words through their daily interactions with the childminder. She is aware that they are learning more than one language and speaks to them clearly to help them learn. She makes no comment if they make a mistake but tactfully models the right speech. She asks thoughtfully worded open-ended questions that encourage the children to think and reply. When children are playing the childminder takes every opportunity to encourage them to talk about what they are doing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are gaining an unusually good understanding of counting and number recognition in their play with the childminder. They can already count accurately up to five and enjoy showing their learning when counting four Jolly Clowns and five busy bees in their story books. Art and

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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 craft activities are much enjoyed by the children. They engage exceptionally well in activities that include hand printing and are given the opportunity to mix colours to see what happens. Children do threading activities and they make puzzles which helps them to gain dexterity. The childminder is quick to recognise when children are ready for more complex tasks and she selects activities accordingly. The childminder makes notes of her observations of the children and their achievements. She shares her observations with parents on a regular basis so that they are fully aware of their child's progress and can work with the childminder to help them achieve to the best of their ability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Every child is treated with respect and fairness. Their individual health and dietary requirements are known to the childminder who gains this important information from parents at the time of registration. Children enjoy meeting other adults and children at the drop-in centre, and on their regular outings, which helps them to become accustomed to diversity. They are also offered a good range of activities and resources which support their learning well. The childminder has some experience of caring for a family member who has learning difficulties. She understands the need for liaison with parents and outside agencies so that children can make the best progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder's positive behaviour management strategies. She sets clear boundaries for the children and is patient and kind towards them. She praises them for being helpful which raises their self-esteem. Her strategies are effective and the children respond well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents and carers share good quality information with the childminder and her co-childminder. A file about their training and background is provided and a detailed set of policy and procedure documents are in place. Useful information is shared on a regular basis about the progress and achievements of each child. Consequently the adults can work together in partnership to support the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are welcomed into a clean, secure and well organised home. They play in a spacious playroom and they have easy access to their toys. The childminder prepares her home and resources before children arrive so that she can devote her full attention to the children. Attendance at worthwhile training courses helps the childminder to provide good quality service to parents and their children. In addition to short courses the childminder is studying for a relevant National Vocational Qualification at level three.

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Organisation

The co-childminders work very well together as a team. They plan and provide a good range of activities and ensure that children are always cared for well. In most respects their daily safety checks ensure that children are welcomed into a safe environment. All records are kept correctly to meet regulations and they are held ready for inspection at any time. The childminder keeps documents under lock and key to ensure that they remain confidential. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required either the childminder or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. The childminder is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents that they may see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other then 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): • review the safety of playroom furniture to ensure children's safety • ensure that children are safe on smooth floor surfaces.

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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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