Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY355993 Unique Reference Number 13 August 2008 Inspection date Keriann Belcher Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2007. She lives with her husband in Hounslow, in the London borough of Hounslow. The childminder uses the ground floor of the property, except for the bedroom, for childminding purposes. There is also a small dedicated play room behind the garage which is used. The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years at any one time. Currently she is caring six children under five years of age at various times.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family have a cat as a pet.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted well by the childminder. She maintains her home to a good standard of hygiene and cleanliness. Consequently, children are able to play on the floor with no risk to their health. In addition, children are learning about the importance of adopting good personal hygiene routines as they wash their hands at appropriate times of the day. Children's

p.2

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 health is further promoted as the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has systems in place to manage any accidents that occur. Although, some permission to administer non-prescribed medication does not give specific instructions, which could compromise children's safety and welfare.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

A nutritious and healthy diet that takes account of any special requirements is enjoyed by the children. Fresh fruit is available daily, and the range of vegetarian main meals provided introduce children to different tastes and textures, such as pepper slices and raw carrots. The childminder encourages children to drink a sufficient quantity of fluid each day to ensure they remain healthy. Children also benefit from regular opportunities to play outdoors. The well-equipped back garden is routinely used and enjoyed by the children, and walks to the local parks and shops also promote healthy physical exercise.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder understands that the well-being of the children is paramount, and that any suspicions of abuse she may have must be reported. She has up-to-date safeguarding children procedures to follow to ensure the process is carried out accurately.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is important to the childminder. She ensures that there are no obvious hazards in her home to endanger them. For example, children are protected from potential dangers in the kitchen as a stair gate prevents access, electrical sockets are covered and an emergency escape plan has been devised and practised.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have sufficient play space in the childminder's lounge and access to a separate play room to explore the play equipment in comfort. Suitable posters and art work are all displayed on the walls to help create a friendly and welcoming environment for the children and their parents. The childminder has a large range of play equipment and sets out items each day that she knows the children will enjoy and which also enable them to make progress in all areas of development.

p.3

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. The childminder has very good knowledge and understanding of how children learn, and provides a very wide range of appropriate resources and activities to provide them with suitable challenges and fun. The Birth to three matters framework to support children's learning is taken into account when planning activities and the Early Years Foundation Stage is also beginning to be considered. 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.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children's enjoyment of books is fostered by regular trips to the library. In addition, there is also a large selection of them available in the home. The children have great pleasure in sitting with the childminder and anticipating what happens next in a favourite story, such as 'Faster, faster little red train'. Children are able to socialise with others and broaden their play experiences as the visit local pre-school groups.

p.3

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 Children involve the childminder in their play and in return receive lots of positive attention, which helps build their confidence and enables them to successfully progress in all areas of their development. Children benefit from a wide range of activities which support their language, mathematical thinking and imagination, for example, water play, finger/face painting, growing strawberries and musical activities. The children are engaged, interested and enjoy their play because the childminder builds upon children's individual interests and uses these to extend their learning, for example, playing with a train set leads to painting tram lines and visits to a nearby railway crossing. The children learn to count and recognise primary colours through open ended questions as they play imaginatively. For example, children comment on the colour

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

of the railway carriages and compare different lengths of the trains, using words such as "longer than" and "shorter than".

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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, children have their own names on their placements and choose them at meal times. Children's independence is strongly promoted through everyday activities such as being encouraged to replace their own shoes and pour their own drinks. The play space and resources are organised so that babies learn to move around safely and learn to walk unaided.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. 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. For example, they clap and jump with delight when the childminder praises their successful efforts. 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.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children gain a very good understanding of the world around them as the childminder provides them with activities to promote discussion. For example, children are learning about diversity, when making four leaf clovers and dressing up in green clothes to celebrate St Patrick's Day. The childminder's very good understanding of children's learning and developmental needs ensures she meets any child's special or additional needs.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is very strong. There are excellent systems of communication, which promote children's welfare. For example, written feedback provides parents with a good amount of relevant daily information relating to their child's time at the setting. The childminder has a written procedure in place to enable her to deal effectively with complaints and also canvass parental views. Parents provide very positive comments relating to the service, which state that their children are welcomed into the childminder's home and that she offers a excellent mix of home based activities and outings. In addition to this regular meetings are held with parents to review the childminding service and the children's developmental progress. There is an outstanding amount of information available to the parents in various media, such as in a photographic book, phone call, notice board and written reports.

p.4

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. 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. 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.

p.5

Organisation

An extensive range of policies and procedures supports the care of children. 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; although permission for non prescribed medication lacks some necessary details.

p.5

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 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.

p.5

Organisation

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

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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):

p.5

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 • obtain prior written permission for each and every medicine from parents before any medication is given

p.5

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

p.6

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

p.6