Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY248023 Unique Reference Number 21 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her partner and four children aged 16, six, four and one in Hayes in the London borough of Hillingdon. The ground floor is used for childminding, toilet and sleep facilities are on the first floor 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 three children at any one time and is currently not childminding.

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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/carer group. The family have one cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

When a provider does not have children on roll at the time of the inspection, inspection judgements are based on evidence gathered from discussions with the provider and an inspection of the premises, equipment and relevant documentation.

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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 As there are no children on roll, the quality of the provision cannot be judged better than satisfactory because there is no reliable evidence on which to assess its impact on children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of how children's good health is promoted. She verbally demonstrated a good understanding of promoting effective hygiene practices. For example, children are encouraged to wash their hands prior to eating. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has appropriate systems in place to manage accidents and administer medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder further promotes children's health as she understands the positive impact of them having a nutritious and balanced diet that takes into account their individual dietary needs. She speaks to parents who provide their children's meals about suitable healthy lunches and not providing unhealthy options, such as crisps and sweets. Children have access to regular drinks throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to the childminder's garden which has a variety of resources such as climbing frame with slide, play house, bikes and dolls buggies. She stated that their physical play activities are enhanced with regular visits to the park and a variety of toddler groups, all of which promote children's physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has taken positive steps to ensure that the areas of her home used by children are safe. For example, a safety gate is across the kitchen door to prevent access. However, there is not a clear fire evacuation procedure in place which is regularly practised with the children. The childminder states that she ensures children's safety when walking to and from school by using appropriate harnesses and pushchairs, also by encouraging older children to have an awareness of road safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Toys and equipment provided by the childminder are maintained to a good standard and are age appropriate. The lounge is used for play and a selection of appropriate resources is made available for children to access each day. The garden is fully enclosed, secure and well maintained to prevent the risk of harm to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has developed her understanding of procedures to keep children safe. Written information is available to the childminder for reference. She has a sound knowledge and confidence when answering scenario questions regarding child protection. Her clear responses show that she would know what to do if she had concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder recognises the need to provide activities which offer appropriate levels of challenge for children and which are suitable for their age and stage of development. The variety of play materials she has allows children to make progress in all areas of development,

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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 such as art materials, books, puzzles and imaginative play toys. She demonstrates how she meets children's individual needs by storing toys and resources effectively to enable children to access suitable equipment. Baby toys and equipment, such as a baby walker are stored away ready for use and older children's toys are kept in the lounge and the childminder's own children's bedroom.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder understands the importance of establishing a consistent routine that children become familiar with to enable them to feel confident and secure in their environment. As well as providing play indoors, the childminder describes how she takes children out each day to a variety of groups which have a differing focus, for example, a focus on physical play or art and craft. Thus enhancing their learning experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder understands the importance of treating all children as individuals and with equal concern. She has resources, such as books, that enable children to learn about diversity within society. She also describes how she introduces children to others cultures, for example, by talking to children about Diwali. Although the childminder has no experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, she knows the importance of working with the parents and finding out all about the child's individual needs. However, she is not fully familiar with the disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the duties it imposes upon service providers to ensure the best possible outcome for the child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a sound knowledge of behaviour management. She has a policy in place that states that age appropriate methods will be used, such as distracting the child. The childminder talks about the positive impact on children that working in partnership with their parents has.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

She recognises that it is important to have effective and regular communication with them to ensure they are fully informed about what their child has been doing. The childminder has prepared a parent pack containing copies of her policies and procedures to make sure they are aware of the service that they and their child will receive. This now includes a copy of her complaints procedure.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. There were no children on roll at the time of the inspection, through discussion and documentation the childminder has shown that she remains suitably qualified to work as a childminder. Documentation with regard to previous children who attended the setting is retained and shows how the childminder completes records effectively. Through discussion, the childminder demonstrates how her range of policies and procedures have worked in practice to support children's health, safety and welfare whilst in her care.

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Organisation

The home is safe and secure for young children to move around and play, the toys and equipment are easily accessible. Children are made to feel at home and their individual needs met by the childminder.

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Organisation

Overall, evidence suggests that the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the quality and standards of care was judged as inadequate. The childminder was required to ensure parents are aware of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint; update knowledge and understanding of child protection; and obtain local authority safeguarding children procedures and What To Do If You're Worried A Child Is Being Abused booklet; ensure the certificate of registration is displayed effectively for parents to see during the hours of childminding; improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulations; and set in place a procedure to notify Ofsted of relevant matters including any changes to household members.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has completed all actions placed upon her registration at the last inspection. She has a written complaints procedure for parents and a system in place for recording complaints from parents. The childminder has updated her knowledge and understanding of both child protection issues and the requirements and regulations for childminding, along with obtaining the necessary documentation. Her certificate of registration is now displayed in her home. As a result, children's safety and welfare are promoted, and the childminder meets the requirements of the National Standards for childminding.

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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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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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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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): • devise and practise a clear fire evacuation plan, recording details of all practices • improve knowledge of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the duties it imposes upon service providers to ensure the needs of all children are met.

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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 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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