Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY137267 Unique Reference Number 08 February 2008 Inspection date Bharti Vakil 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 one school age child in Harrow in the London borough of Harrow. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding two children under four.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder drives and walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and warm environment. They are starting to learn the importance of good hygiene and self-care. For example, they wash their hands at appropriate times and

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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 put on a coat before garden play when it is cold. Effective procedures are in place for the recording of accidents and the administration of medication which ensures that children are well cared for and their needs met. They are protected from unnecessary illness as they do not attend when they are suffering from infections. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate which enables her to deal with an emergency appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular outdoor exercise and fresh air. They have access to the back garden and a good selection of equipment. This provides children good opportunities to climb, ride, jump, step, crawl and run. There are regular outings to local parks, soft play area and library where they explore a wider range of physical activities. This helps children to develop control of their bodies and improve their physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Food is provided in agreement with parents, taking into account children's dietary or religious requirements. Currently parents provide food for their children and the childminder provides small nutritious snacks, all of which is stored appropriately. When preparing food and snacks for the children, the childminder ensures the food is thoroughly cooked and allows the food to cool before giving to the children. Children are fed in relaxed surroundings where they are able to sit and eat comfortably. They access drinks on a regular basis throughout the day, they are confident to ask for snacks and drinks when feeling hungry or thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Overall, children are safeguarded through a variety of practical measures. These include providing a safety gate at the bottom of the stairs and storing hazardous items out of children's reach. However, hazards such as old wood and stacks of bricks in the garden are potential risks to children. This compromises children's safety. The childminder has developed sound fire evacuation procedures. The escape plan is practised with children to ensure the quick and safe evacuation from the home, should the need arise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is plenty of space for freedom of movement and the designated areas for rest and meal times are comfortable. Children's individual care needs are met well as there is a good range of equipment available, for example, toilet step, high chair, travel cot, buggy, car seats and child size table and chairs. Children happily use developmentally appropriate toys and learning materials making their own choices and decisions.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has sound understanding of her role and responsibility in child protection. For example, she is aware of the indicators of possible abuse and knows the procedures to follow.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a very warm and secure relationship with the childminder, which enables them to extend their learning in a supportive and caring environment. They have lots of fun and play enthusiastically with a good range of toys and resources, which fully promotes their learning. They are curious and excited by the wide range of activities offered. For example, children excitedly recall their visit to the soft play area and talk about how they are going to make pizza later in the kitchen.

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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 Children are developing their early writing skills as they draw and colour. They enjoy looking at books and listen as the childminder reads to them. The childminder appropriately involves herself in their activities, for example, constructing 'high' and 'short' towers with bricks. Children thoroughly enjoy playing musical instruments and participating in action rhymes such as 'Row your boat'. They develop their vocabulary as the childminder asks them questions and encourages conversation. This also helps them to think and make sense of their environment. They get pleasure from outings to child friendly settings, such as the library for story and rhyme sessions. This gives them opportunities to explore new activities and enjoy relationships with other children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The school age children make choices about participating in activities or relaxing after the school day if they wish to. The childminder involves children in planning activities for the following days. Children are happy and content as the childminder knows the children well and meets their individual needs effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are developing a positive self-image and self-confidence. They turn to the childminder for both cuddles and play. They confidently voice their pleasures and needs. The childminder is in tune with the children's needs and meets them affectionately. Children's feeling of being secure is enhanced as the childminder provides the daily routine that is familiar. This provides a stable environment and helps children to look forward to their day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others is increasing as they enjoy easy access to a selection of books and play materials promoting positive images of diversity. Through practical activities, they enjoy learning about festivals from a variety of cultures, such as Eid, Christmas and Divali.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children respond very well to the consistent praise and encouragement that they receive during their time with the childminder. The good levels of positive interaction and stimulating activities means children are motivated, very interested and have little opportunity to become bored or uninterested in the surroundings. Children are learning right from wrong as the childminder uses age appropriate behaviour management strategies which are consistently applied.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has good relationships with parents. The children are benefiting from the good information which is shared between their parents and the childminder regarding their needs, routine, activities and achievements.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a good knowledge of the needs of the children in her care and organises her day and activities to enable these to be met effectively. Children are very comfortable and feel secure in the childminder's home which has well organised play space, allowing them to move around freely.

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Organisation

The childminder has taken effective steps to make the indoors safer for children's well-being. However, further precautions are required to ensure children's safety in the back garden.

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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 Overall, all required documentation is in place and stored securely to maintain confidentiality, although written permission to transport children in a vehicle has not been obtained. Clear policies and procedures are shared with parents and put into practice to ensure that children are well cared for. This also supports building positive relationships with parents and ensures that they are well informed. 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: obtain written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment; provide resources that reflect positive images of diversity; and ensure children are not exposed to hazards in the garden.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's welfare is protected because the childminder obtains parental consent to seek necessary medical treatment or advice in an emergency. Children are provided with activities and resources that promote positive images of diversity and the childminder continues to do this by using her local library. This helps children to develop an understanding of the world in which they live. Although steps have been taken to make some hazards inaccessible to children further precautions are required to minimise all potential hazards to ensure children's safety.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 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 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): • make sure the hazards in the garden do not pose a risk to children • obtain written permission from parents for transporting their children in a vehicle

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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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