Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY306879 Unique Reference Number 14 July 2008 Inspection date Kerryn Matthews 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 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged 14 and four years in Brentford in the London borough of Hounslow. The whole of the ground floor apartment is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play, there is also a communal area that the children can access with the childminder.

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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 five.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family keeps fish as pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children thrive because their physical, nutritional and health needs are well met as a result of effective procedures and practices employed by the childminder. Children enjoy a good range

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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 of activities and experiences, indoors, outdoors and away from the childminder setting, for example, by attending a music group each week. They are developing competent physical skills and abilities which are well promoted. Children practise climbing and balancing skills as they negotiate climbing frames and slides as they use a variety of equipment within soft play areas. This actively contributes to their good health and well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of healthy and nutritious foods throughout the day, provided by the childminder. Foods offered include meals of lasagne, chicken risotto and fish with potato and vegetables. Healthy snacks of cucumber, carrot sticks and fresh fruit are given to the children. Children are able to access drinks as they wish throughout the day, ensuring that they are not thirsty. The childminder liaises closely with parents and carers regarding meal provision, allergies and preferences or needs on religious grounds. Attendance on a food hygiene course enhances the childminder's practice in this area of her provision. Children have a lot of fun helping to prepare their own lunches, for example, making chicken wraps, choosing from the range of ingredients provided. This increases the children's awareness of healthy foods through discussion with the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for within a well maintained and hygienic environment. The childminder employs effective and thorough hygiene routines and procedures, which ensures that children are kept healthy at all times. For example, children are aware of the need to wash their hands after playing in the garden, immediately going to the bathroom to wash when coming indoors. Good systems are in place for the recording of accidents and administrations of medication. The childminder ensures that her first aid training is up to date, thus enhancing children's good health and well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a warm and welcoming home where children feel safe and secure. Her close supervision of children and risk assessments maintain children's safety. She keeps areas of her home secure and ensures safety equipment is in place to minimise risks, for example, a fire blanket is in place in the kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to play and sleep in comfort using furniture appropriate for their ages. The childminder ensures that the furniture and play equipment is safe, clean and in good condition as she carries out regular checks. Space is organised to meet all the children's needs. Toys and play materials are stored so they are easily accessible to children, enabling them to make independent choices about their play. Children are able to chose to play in or outdoors as the childminder has a free flow system in operation, enhancing the children's experiences and play opportunities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is able to safeguard children's welfare as she has a sound understanding of child protection, a written policy in place and has written information available for reference. However, the childminder could update her knowledge in this area of care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children have enormous fun and they play enthusiastically with an excellent range of toys and resources, which promote their learning. Children are confident and have good self-esteem, which is fostered well by the childminder as she listens with interest and praises their

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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 achievements. The childminder stimulates the children's thinking by asking open ended questions, such as, "where will you find the cars?". Children express themselves and communicate confidently using gesture, expression and language. For example, they confidently describe the feel of the collage materials they are using. Children are valued and treated with respect by the childminder, who has a wonderful manner and great warmth. They thrive in the relaxed and homely environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder enhances children's development as she evaluates many of the activities and uses the result to plan for the children's next stage of learning .She observes and records their development, following the Birth to three matters framework. The childminder plans an extension of activities to enhance children's enjoyment and learning. For example, she talks to the children about insects, makes junk models of a variety of insects and then takes children to look in the garden to find insects in their natural environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Paint, paper and pencil materials are available to enable the children to practise their mark making skills. The childminder provides lots of opportunities for children to see the written word in their environment, for example, by using signs in the garden to identify plants and clearly labelling toy storage boxes with word and picture prompts. Children benefit from the childminder's excellent knowledge of child development and many years experience of working with young children. The childminder spends all her time playing and interacting with the children, which ensures they are absorbed, happy and well-occupied throughout the day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's self-esteem is fostered through positive interaction with the childminder. They receive lots of praise and encouragement as she involves herself with their play; children feel valued and confident to try new experiences. The childminder has a good understanding of children's individual needs. She knows the children well and offers them warm, affectionate care. There are good strategies in place to support the children's understanding of right and wrong. The children relate to each other very well and the childminder manages age appropriate disagreements sensitively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children gain an understanding of the world around them as the childminder provides them with activities to promote discussion. For example, when making a large dragon from cardboard boxes for Chinese New Year. The childminder's very good understanding of children's learning and developmental needs ensures she meets any child's special needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is strong. There are effective systems of communication, which promote children's welfare. Children benefit from secure relationships between their parents and the childminder. Written feedback provides parents with a good amount of relevant information relating to their child's time at the setting. The childminder has a written procedure and systems in place to enable her to deal effectively with complaints. Parents provide positive comments relating to the service, which state that their children are welcomed into the childminder's home, she is kind and flexible and offers a good mix of home based activities and outings. Parents stated that their only areas for improvement were possibly for the childminder to offer more fish in her meals for children. The childminder wishes to review her menus and will discuss the issue raised with the parents concerned.

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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 outstanding. The childminder's high level of organisation promotes the care and development of the children. She plans her week to ensure that she meets the children's individual needs. Detailed observations of the children are carried out and include plans for a child's next steps in their learning and development. Comprehensive progress reports are shared at a twice yearly meeting with parents, ensuring that they are fully informed of their child's developmental progress and areas for focused learning. Children's individual needs and requirements are discussed with parents and carers prior to their child starting, ensuring that their individual needs are well addressed and provided for.

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Organisation

An extensive range of policies and procedures supports the care of children. For example, the behaviour management policy clearly defines the strategies that are used to promote positive behaviour and manage unacceptable behaviour. The childminder shares her policies and procedures with parents, ensuring that they are fully aware of the service she offers. All legally required documentation and records relating to childminding are maintained to a high standard, ensuring that the childminder is able to care for children in a safe and confident manner.

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Organisation

The children benefit greatly from the childminder's extensive experience and knowledge of childcare and development, due to her Nursery Nursing Diploma qualification and previous experience of working in a school and day care nursery. She is extremely knowledgeable about the Birth to three matters framework and uses her observation, assessment and planning skills to ensure that the children in her care are offered exciting activities that promote their all round development.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the childminder's first inspection since registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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): • update knowledge of safeguarding 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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