Childminder in Kensington and Chelsea

Inspection report for early years provision

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159442 Unique Reference Number 29 May 2008 Inspection date Daphne Prescott 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 2001. She lives with her three children aged five, eight and 15 years in North Kensington in the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Part of the house is used for childminding and there is no access 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 two 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 parent and toddler group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 enjoy plenty of fresh air and exercise; this promotes their development and good health as they have good opportunities to enjoy physical exercise. They enjoy daily outings to the local parks and parent and toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well cared for in a warm and clean environment. The childminder has good procedures in place to prevent the spread of infection and children do not attend when they are ill. In addition, children's health is thoroughly promoted and they are learning good hygiene practices, for example, washing hands before meals and after toileting. In the event of an accident children receive appropriate treatment because the childminder maintains a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of healthy snacks and meals which are provided to meet their individual dietary requirements. They benefit from healthy home cooked meals, such as pasta, chicken and fresh vegetables. They are able to sit comfortably at the table to eat, as they enjoy eating fresh fruit and honey for their snack. A social occasion is created as children sit together with the childminder developing their social skills. Drinking water is provided throughout the day to ensure children consume sufficient quantities to keep them healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home is welcoming for children, they are able to feel relaxed and at home as space has been organised to meet their individual needs. Children are able to access good quality toys and activities, which are varied and developmentally appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is promoted as the childminder has taken steps to minimise possible hazards, for example, there is a safety gate in place to prevent unsupervised access to the upstairs area. Emergency escape plans have been devised and practised with the children; smoke alarms and a fire blanket are in place, which help towards keeping them safe. However, children's safety is not totally safeguarded as the fire blanket has not been fitted according to the manufacturer's instructions. Children are also learning how to keep safe on the road as the childminder teaches the children to hold hands and cross roads safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm because; the childminder has a good knowledge of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and the correct procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and secure in the childminder's care. They are well-supported as they are given warm care and kindness to help them develop a sense of security and belonging. Children are happily exploring their surroundings as they play with a good range of toys and resources, which help them to make progress in all areas of learning.

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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 fully occupied during their time with the childminder. The childminder makes frequent observations of children throughout their activities. These are used to help with planning and report on their achievements to ensure that all children progress in all aspects of their learning and development. For example, they are developing good hand eye coordination as they paint with brushes. They are attracted to interesting art and craft activities as they have a wide choice of colourful resources for making a variety of different things. For example, they have a lovely time sitting with the childminder as they make faces using paper plates as they paint and stick materials to make the different features. Children are developing early problem solving skills as they identify colours and shapes, and fit puzzles together. They are developing

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their imagination as they play with dolls, cups and saucers, and they begin to act out simple story lines as they chat to the childminder about people that help us. They discuss fire people, doctors and nurses and act out going to the doctors and phoning the emergency number for the fire brigade for help.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder involves herself in their play and they receive lots of individual attention. The childminder encourages their language development through lots of conversation and asks open-ended questions to encourage their thinking and learning. Children go on regular outings to child-friendly settings, such as parent and toddler groups. This gives them opportunities to explore a wider range of activities and enjoy relationships with the other children. They are able to make good progress in all areas of their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of the children's individual needs. This means that children enjoy a flexible routine that allows them good opportunities to play, learn and develop at their own pace. They are treated with respect and equal concern. They are learning about the world in which they live as the childminder acknowledges the different festivals. The childminder also raises their awareness of cultural differences through books and toys. The childminder is able to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and she is kind and thoughtful towards the individual needs of all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are busy and well behaved. The childminder has clear boundaries for acceptable behaviour, which she applies consistently. This enables children to learn right and wrong in ways they understand, which also adds to their sense of security. The childminder offers the children lots of praise and encouragement which develops children's self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's welfare and development is promoted because the childminder places a strong emphasis on building good relationships with parents so that she carries out their wishes when providing good care of their children. Good documentation is shared with parents. For example, parents receive a copy of the childminder's menu, policies and procedures so they are well informed about the care their child is receiving. Verbal daily discussions take place, meaning parents are kept fully informed about their children's activities and progress. Each child has their own diary which includes activities and achievements which is given to parents at the end of the day. In addition, parents also take home their child's record of achievement once every six months.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare, care and development needs are met effectively as the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of caring for children. She is warm and affectionate towards the children who are relaxed and happy in her care. The organisation of space and resources enables children to move around freely as they choose toys, play and eat comfortably. The childminder is aware that the fire blanket needs to be fitted appropriately.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to improving her practice to benefit the children and regularly attends training to enhance her skills and knowledge. The required documentation is in place to support the care and welfare of the children. Records and documentation are well organised. The childminder ensures that all policies and procedures are in place and up to date. These are shared with parents on a regular basis to ensure they are kept informed about the service that is offered and that the children are well cared for.

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Organisation

Children settle well and feel safe and secure and are having a lovely time as their individual care, learning and welfare needs are fully promoted. 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 contact the local Childcare Services for training and support; develop further understanding of the importance of learning and play opportunities for children; ensure that the medication and accident records are maintained as required and obtain and use a copy of the revised National Standards for Childminding.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has attended child care related training which has developed her knowledge and understanding of providing a variety of learning and play opportunities for children. She is aware of ensuring that the medication and accident records are maintained as required. The childminder has knowledge and understanding of the revised National Standards for Childminding, therefore promoting children's safety and welfare.

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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): • ensure that the fire blanket is fitted according to the manufacturer's instructions.

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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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