Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY349672 Unique Reference Number 15 April 2008 Inspection date Sylvia Dindar 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 outstanding. 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 three older children in Twickenham in the London borough of Richmond upon Thames. All areas of the ground floor of the childminder's house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. There are currently four children on roll. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The childminder is able to support children with learning difficulties and children with English as an additional language.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's good health is exceptionally well promoted as children enjoy healthy snacks such as organic biscuits and fresh fruit. Food is home cooked and made from fresh produce in order to ensure it maintains its nutritional value. Children eat heartily in a relaxed family orientated environment where they learn good table manners. Children take an extra interest in the food

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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 they eat as they observe it being prepared and are involved in the process. For example, older children make their own pizzas and help set the table. The childminder understands that children can be overpowered by large amounts of food so ensures the food she gives is in manageable pieces, she encourages children to ask for more so they learn to understand about their bodily needs and eat until they are full. Children have free access to drinking water as they can access their cups which are kept on a low table. The childminder closely monitors children's fluid intake and reminds them when she feel they needs to have a drink. This ensures that children are hydrated and alert. The childminder takes account of any special dietary requirements and allergies to comply with parents' wishes and to ensure the safety and comfort of their children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Food preparation areas are kept clean with anti-bacterial cleanser, and toys and equipment are cleaned regularly and as a result are kept meticulous and hygienic.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children thrive because the childminder follows highly effective hygiene procedures and practices. For example, she has a meticulous nappy changing routine, which includes the use of disposable gloves. When a child is reluctant to be changed, the childminder allows them to continue playing and gently coaxes another child who is more amenable to the idea. In time the other child is re-assured and is happy to be changed. The childminder talks to the children whilst changing them. She makes it fun and re-assures them. This helps them feel safe and secure.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children clearly love being outside in the fresh air because they have fun and exciting things to do. They thoroughly enjoy the sand and sterile soil play as they move it around the environment using different tools and receptacles to move it. Toddlers learn to manage and manipulate their bodies as they get on and off the ride ons and learn to negotiate the space. They have fun following each other around stopping and starting their vehicles. They regularly visit the local park where they have access to a range of climbing apparatus. These activities help build healthy muscles and add to the children's health and well-being. Babies and toddlers have their own cots allocated to them with their own bedding and comforter from home. These are ready and made up allowing the children to rest when needed and follow their own sleep routines. They are regularly checked to ensure that they are sleeping safely. Older children are

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Helping children to be healthy

encouraged to have times in the day when they do quieter activities in order for them to renew their energy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children's safety and security is paramount in this very warm and welcoming home. A great deal of thought is given to the organisation and preparation of all areas used by the children. As a result children move around the environment freely and are very well supervised in an open plan environment. Toys and resources are routinely checked to ensure that they are safe and developmentally appropriate. The ground floor is dedicated to childminding, with the whole of this area being changed daily from the childminder's family space to a dedicated play room. It contains specially designed children furniture so that they can play at their own level safely and comfortably. Photos of children and posters adorn the cupboards and walls; these enhance the children's learning and add to this very vibrant setting. The childminder is careful to use Velcro to fasten such things to the walls when they are displayed at a low height to limit

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

accidents. The majority of resources have texts and pictures on them to describe them, so children learn what is stored where. As a result children access an extensive range of good quality play and learning equipment. All areas and equipment used by children are thoroughly and routinely risk assessed. This ensures that they are safe and fit for their purpose and add to the children's overall development.

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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 Children are very well protected from unnecessary risk as the childminder has a thorough written safety policy. For example, she ensures that buggies and bags are kept in a specific area in the hall and children cannot access them. The childminder uses a number of stair gates throughout her home to very good effect. For example, she has one across the kitchen area as she knows this is a high risk area. She places another across the two rooms as she is aware there is a small step down and in addition allows older children to play undisturbed with small pieces so that younger children are not at the risk of choking. She makes sure all hazardous materials such as cleaning materials and medicines are kept out of reach of children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can be safely and quickly evacuated in the event of a fire as the childminder has smoke detection equipment and a written evacuation procedure in place. These are regularly practised with children to ensure that they become familiar with the process. This gives the children the opportunity to talk about their fears and learn how to maintain their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All outings are risk assessed before the childminder embarks on them with children, in order for the childminder to become familiar with the areas and any potential hazards. Children learn to keep themselves safe. The childminder practises road safety through role play and books at home, and then puts it into practice when on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are extremely well safeguarded because the childminder demonstrates an excellent knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She has a clear and in depth written policy and a copy of local procedures so that she can seek advice if necessary. She shares this with parents in order for them to understand her responsibility and commitment to protect children. She is aware of the need to protect children from people who have not undergone vetting procedures and keeps a written record of any visitors.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from the childminder's extensive knowledge and experience of child development. They thrive in this very stimulating setting and make excellent progress in their development. This is because the childminder spends time finding out what really interests children. She then uses these observations in conjunction with the Birth to three framework and early years curriculum using it to good effect to plan for children's individual learning. As a result children are happy and well stimulated and are making excellent progress in their development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are free to play with whatever they want and are excited by the play environment. As a result they want to take part and play for extended periods of time with things that interest them. For example, children are keen to go out in the garden after snack time. They are quick to choose their favourite activity, for example, blowing bubbles, these are a great success as small children can manage them very well as they have non spill containers, so they do not become frustrated or disappointed by the loss of the liquid. Children smile as they successfully blow them and then watch in amazement as they disappear on the wind. They are successful in catching some of them showing they are gaining good control over their body movements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The easel is set up with paint pots and paper, it is adjustable so all children can paint at a height that is comfortable for them. Children are gaining independence as they know where the painting aprons are stored and are confident to ask the childminder for help when they need help in fastening them. They get to choose their favourite colours and spend time absorbed in their mark making and colour mixing. The childminder is careful not to disturb their creativity

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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 and allows them time to develop their own idea. When they have finished she asks them about the colours and praises them for their good efforts and as a result children are spurred on and want to do more.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

In another area of the garden children become very excited because they have found a worm, the childminder extends their interest further by suggesting they get the magnifying glass out of the store cupboard to look at it in more detail. Children are encouraged to use their language as the childminder asks them questions that make them think, for example about the size of it, where it lives and what they think they ought to do with it next. Children suggest they put it in the flower bed and begin to cover it in soil, when they start handling the worm too much the childminder reminds them gently that worms do not like being handled more than twice because they are living things and it can hurt them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder puts great emphasis on children feeling secure and confident in their language development knowing that this is key to their learning. So when children are settling in she ensures that they get used to routines gradually, getting used to new people and new experiences. She understands that some children find it hard when strangers visit the home so she prepares them well explaining the reasons for the visit. This was particularly evident at the inspection when the childminder focused first on the children being comfortable in the inspector’s presence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All resources are labelled with pictures, text and Makaton signs and in the child's first language so all children know what resources there are. They begin to understand that the pictures and print have meaning. Children enjoy listening to stories and have formed a good relationship with the childminder's family members, who take an interest in the children, reading stories and mirroring their mother’s effective questioning techniques making it fun and engaging the children. To develop children's interest in books further, the childminder has a resource sack of props and puppets making reading and stories fun.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are learning to be independent as they dress and undress themselves and take themselves off to the toilet. She understands that some children may revert and just want to enjoy the special attention they get so makes allowances for this, carefully reminding them that they can do it themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children flourish because they are all treated as unique individuals. This is evident as the childminder asks parents to provide information about their individual children. To do this the childminder has developed a very comprehensive list of questions in order for her to understand the children better. She uses this as part of the very good settling in procedures she has developed. As a result children soon settle into the setting and feel happy and secure. Children feel valued and included because the childminder takes an interest in them and their family and close friends. She ensures that when displaying photographs everyone is represented. Children's art work is displayed and valued and children are proud to show it off. Children have their own named pegs to hang their belongings and their own cups and towels. This gives them a real sense of belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with English as an additional language are very well supported, as the childminder ensures she is able to speak some of their home language. In addition to this she uses Makaton so that all children learn to communicate in a universal way and everyone is included. Dual

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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 language books are used so that children see familiar text and other children learn that there are different ways of writing. The childminder also provides dual language flash cards so that all children can be involved in the word and picture games. Children have their own named pegs to hang their belongings and their own cups and towels. This gives them a real sense of belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a wealth of experience and training in caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She understands the importance of working very closely with parents and seeking advice from outside agencies. She is experienced in planning and developing and adapting activities in order for children to have meaningful experiences in order to help them develop to their full potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave exceptionally well because they are provided with interesting activities which keep them engaged and motivated throughout the day. They have developed an excellent relationship with their childminder. They respond positively to the genuine praise and encouragement they receive from her. For example, as she thanks them for waiting patiently for their lunch or for setting the table or for sharing. Children know the rules as the childminder consistently applies them in a very gentle way. For example, she explains to a child that if the gate is opened someone is going to get hurt. These simple explanations make children think about how their actions affect others. Rules are discussed and displayed for older children to remind them what is expected of them. As a result children play in harmony and learn to share, take turns and consider others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has established an excellent partnership with parents. She has built trusting relationships with them. She provides them with a wealth of information, from the very start she gives them each a portfolio which explains her policies and procedures. They sign to say they agree to them when signing their contract. She ensures that children are cared for in line with their parents' wishes. She regularly consults with them about the service she provides in order to ensure it meets their needs. Parents are extremely happy with the service provided, and value the individual care and education the childminder provides. A regular newsletter keeps them up to date with current changes, for example when a new child starts, changes to the premises and how she budgets for new toys and equipment. It explains the play plans so parents can feel included in their child's education. The childminder offers a range of ways of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

communication such as phone, email or a chat at the end of the day.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides. The childminder provides a highly organised and stimulating environment where children feel safe and secure. She has an excellent knowledge of the National Standards and children's care and education is at the centre of what the childminder does. She provides an extensive range of experiences for children, consequently children are developing well and are very happy.

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Organisation

She has comprehensive written policies to cover her practice. These are clear and effective as she shares these with parents in order that they fully understand the procedures that underpin her very good practice. Children's privacy is protected as all documentation is shared in confidence with parents and stored securely for the required time.

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Organisation

The childminder is highly motivated and committed to her continued professional development. She attends conferences in order to network and keeps up to date with the changes taking

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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 place. She keep all documentation required by regulation and keeps extensive and accurate records. She regularly evaluates her service to ensure that parents are happy with what she provides. Parents say they are very happy with the one to one care the childminder gives to the children. The childminder regularly attends training in order to ensure she provides the best care for children. She has undertaken the National Childminder Association's quality assurance programme, so that children benefit hugely as their needs are very well met in this homely and professional childminding setting.

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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

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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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