Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY351825 Unique Reference Number 08 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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged four years and one year in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. The whole of the ground floor of the childminders 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 4 children at any one time. She walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. There is a pet hamster in the family. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and children with English as an additional language.

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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's well being is promoted positively and they are protected from unnecessary illness. Good records are maintained for administrations of medication and accidents, and children are not able to attend when they are ill. Children receive effective first aid treatment as the childminder ensures that her first aid certificate is maintained. Their health is well promoted as the childminder has good standards of hygiene in her home. For example, the hard floors are washed daily to ensure that they are clean for younger children who crawl and play on the floor. Comprehensive written policies and procedures, that are shared with parents, support the childminder's good practice in this area.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are physically active as the childminder incorporates physical play, both indoors and outdoors into her daily routine. They enjoy listening to music and the childminder encourages them to move to music when attending a music activity class each week. Children use local parks and soft play areas where they develop their physical skills further as they learn to walk, run and climb.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder offers the children a healthy and nutritious diet. She works in partnership with parents to ensure that children's dietary needs and individual preferences are met. She has provided food for younger children who are weaning, not offering any new foods until a child has sampled these at home. This ensures that if a child were allergic to a particular food the parents could monitor their child's reaction and inform the childminder who can then avoid these foods. Children are provided with healthy foods such as cheese on toast, fresh fruit snacks and breakfast cereals. Their drinks are readily available, ensuring that they do not become thirsty. Children enjoy sociable snack and meal times as the childminder sits with them, stimulating their language and social skills. Younger children's independence is promoted at this time as the childminder positively encourages them to feed themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from being cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. There is plenty of space available for them to play and move around freely. Children use good quality toys and resources that are appropriate for their age and stage of development. These are arranged in a variety of ways to ensure that they are readily available. Children are able to make independent choices when choosing additional toys and resources as they wish.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is vigilant about safety and ensures that her home and garden are safe and secure. She has a clear written fire evacuation procedure in place which is practised with the children. These practises are recorded, the childminder noting the details of the practise and who was present. Smoke alarms and a fire blanket are fitted in the home which means that children are protected from the risks of fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a good knowledge of the signs and symptoms of child abuse. She also has a clear understanding of the reporting procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care. The childminder has enhanced this area of her care through the learning incorporated in her NVQ level 3 qualification, her work in a nursery and attendance on additional training.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminder's very good knowledge of child development and many years experience of working in day care settings with young children. They are confident and their independence is fully encouraged in all areas. Children are able to make choices about the activities they wish to undertake and have easy access to a considerable, broad and varied range of resources stored at their level. They are settled and happy, children enjoy playing with the resources. The childminder gets on well with the children and enhances their positive relationship and the children's development by spending lots of time playing with them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder shows an interest in the children, this helps to build their self esteem and make them feel secure. Children involve the childminder in their play and in return receive lots of positive attention which builds their confidence and enables them to successfully extend their learning. For example, the childminder encouraged a child to access the musical instruments to add a new dimension to their listening to music. Children communicate confidently with the childminder who encourages their listening skills and stimulates their thinking by asking open ended questions, for example, "What does it feel like?".

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children's learning is well supported by the childminder as she has a very good understanding of the Birth to three matters framework. However, she has yet to obtain all necessary information to enhance her practice in line with forthcoming changes to childcare legislation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder enhances children's development as she carries out detailed weekly written observations on the children and uses these to plan for the children's next stage of learning. The observations are based on the Birth to three matters framework, are written using descriptive language and include a photograph of the child relevant to the activity observed. These observations and plans for next steps of learning are shared with parents, ensuring they are aware of their child's progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children enjoy care that promotes their well-being, self-esteem and self-worth. The childminder is able to ensure that children are treated with equal concern and have their individual needs met as she knows them well. They are developing an awareness of themselves and other people as they learn about cultures and traditions of the wider world through the resources they use such as, looking at books that include pictures of positive images. Children are also involved in activities and discussions about different festivals and celebrations, at a level suitable for their age and understanding.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved as they respond to the consistent praise and encouragement that they receive during their time with the childminder. The childminder has clear rules and boundaries about what is expected, which is appropriate to differing age groups. She is currently working with younger children on learning about right and wrong, to share and be kind to their peers.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has built strong professional relationships with parents. The children benefit from a daily communication exchange between their parents and the childminder. This is carried out face to face and detailed in the children's daily record books. Relevant information is

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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 contained on the children's record forms which ensures that the childminder is aware of the children's individual needs and parent's wishes.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's welfare, care and development needs are extremely well met as the childminder has an excellent knowledge and understanding of the National Standards for childminding. She is very well organised, warm and affectionate towards the children who in turn are at ease in the very caring environment.

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Organisation

The children benefit greatly from the childminder's extensive knowledge and experience of childcare and development, due to her NVQ level 3 qualification in childcare and her experience of caring for young children from her previous work in a nursery. She has attended much additional training to further enhance her practice, such as Birth to three matters, safeguarding children and singing with signs.

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Organisation

All of the necessary paperwork is in place and record keeping is of a very high standard. An extensive range of written policies and procedures are in place and shared with parents. This ensures that the children's safety, well-being and enjoyment are paramount. Parents views are valued and the systems in place to share information contribute to the children's sense of belonging. The childminder keeps detailed observations of the children, based on the Birth to three matters framework. These include photographs of the children's play activities and are used to assess children's individual development needs and plan their future areas of learning. Observations are shared with parents, ensuring that they are fully informed of their child's day and developmental progress at all times

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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): • continue to seek opportunities to further enhance outcomes for 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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