Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY357282 Unique Reference Number 10 April 2008 Inspection date Christine Bonnett 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 2007. She lives with her husband and one child aged 13 in Hanwell, in the London borough of Ealing. The whole house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding two children aged under five years, one attends part time and one attends full time. She also minds one child aged over five years on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local parent and toddler groups. The family has two dogs as pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder's home is very clean and well maintained to ensure children's health is promoted. Although two dogs live in the home, the flooring is spotless to enable younger children to crawl

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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 and play on the floor with no risk of contamination. In addition, children learn the importance of adopting good personal care skills as they use disposable paper towels in the bathroom to prevent potential cross-infection between them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is further promoted as the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has effective systems in place to record details of accidents and medication administered. However, their health may be compromised as details of existing injuries a child arrives with are not recorded.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy many opportunities to develop their physical skills through playing outdoors. The well-maintained back garden is available to them, and walks to local parks take place regularly. The childminder provides healthy and nutritious snacks and meals for the children. She ensures she is aware of the children's individual dietary needs, and supplies a varied menu that includes fish, chicken, fresh fruit and yogurts. Drinking water is easily accessible for older children throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's safety is generally well promoted. There are no obvious hazards to endanger children either in the childminder's house or garden. However, because the hall and upstairs landing are currently being redecorated, the smoke alarm on the first floor has temporarily been removed. This jeopardizes children's safety in general, and in particular the safety of younger children sleeping upstairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from being looked after in a comfortable and welcoming family home. There is ample space for them to fully explore the play resources. A wide range of stimulating toys and activities are set out in the lounge for the children to enjoy. These are changed over during the day to retain the interest of the children. A variety of garden toys, such as a slide and bike are also available. Younger children are able to sleep and eat in comfort and safety as a highchair and travel cot are used.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's wellbeing is safeguarded as the childminder has a good knowledge of child protection issues. She understands that the welfare of the children in her care must come first, and therefore any suspicions she may have that a child maybe being abused must be reported appropriately.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well looked after by a childminder who gives them kindness and affection. The childminder knows their individual needs and establishes an effective routine to ensure they develop a sense of security and belonging. The childminder also understands how children learn, and provides fun and exciting play equipment to encourage them to make progress in all areas of development. The Birth to three matters framework is also used to support children's learning in their earliest years. A particular favourite with all the children is looking at books and reading. The childminder promotes their pleasure in books by having a good supply of them to enjoy, and spending time reading with them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children receive lots of warm attention from the childminder. The interaction between the children and the childminder's own family is also warm and caring. Consequently, children learn that they are valued, and grow in self-confidence.

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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 Younger children attend pre-school groups with the childminder to enable them to socialize with others. During school holidays trips to places of interest are carried out to broaden the children's experiences. These include outings to Gunnersbury Park and Odds Farm.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children profit from the good relationship the childminder has with their parents. The childminder recognises that working closely with parents has a positive impact upon the wellbeing of the children as the care is consistent. All relevant information about the events of the day are shared either verbally or in writing with the parents to ensure they are kept well-informed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are valued and treated with respect to enhance their self-esteem. Children are learning about wider society as they have access to resources, such as books, that reflect positive images of diversity. The childminder has experience of working with children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She understands the importance of finding out all about the needs of the child and working with parents and other parties to ensure their best interests are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well-settled and their behaviour is good. The childminder talks calmly to children when problems arise and gives age-appropriate explanations about why some behaviour is not acceptable. Consequently, children are learning about right and wrong in ways they understand.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder uses her good organisational skills to benefit the children. The available space in the home is used well to enable the different interests of all the children to be met at the same time. For example, younger children are given free rein in the lounge to explore the play equipment, while older ones are able to do art and craft activities in the open-plan hallway. The good daily routine the childminder has established also benefits the children as they have time for indoor and outdoor activities.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to building upon her knowledge and skills by attending relevant childcare related courses, such as the Early Years Foundation Stage training. She has also produced a well-presented folder to show to parents. This includes her policies and procedures to ensure parents are aware of the service that they and their child will receive.

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Organisation

Children's wellbeing is further promoted as all the required documentation is maintained. It is well organised, and readily available for inspection. Therefore, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable: this is the 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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): • ensure details of existing injuries a child arrives with are recorded • ensure a working smoke alarm is fitted on every level of the house at all times

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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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