Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY360623 Unique Reference Number 30 June 2008 Inspection date Patricia Jane Daniels 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 and is a member of the Childminding Network. She lives with her husband and two school aged children in Teddington, Middlesex. The ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. A bedroom is available on the first floor for sleeping children, if required.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding seven children of varying ages, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler group and takes children to the local library and park. She has a pet dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Levels of cleanliness are excellent throughout the childminder's home. Children learn about the importance of good personal hygiene through well implemented routines. For example,

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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 wash their hands before eating and clean their teeth after meals. The childminder provides children with individual towels to minimise potential cross-contamination.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has paediatric first aid training and she has obtained written parental consent to seek emergency treatment. This ensures that children receive appropriate treatment if they have an accident. The childminder has considered what to do if children become unwell whilst in her care and has taken a proactive approach. She has obtained written parental consent to administer pain and fever relief to children and would telephone parents before administering to check, if needed. Sick children are excluded to prevent the spread of infection to others.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides children with a nutritious balanced diet, which includes a wide variety of different foods. Meals are home cooked and include fresh ingredients and healthy options. Parents provide packed lunches for their children, if they wish. Children's drinks are presented within reach for them to help themselves and the childminder monitors the amount, to ensure they have plenty to drink.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities for outdoor play in the garden or local park, where they enjoy the benefits of fresh air and exercise. If the weather is poor, the childminder provides trolleys for children to scoot around on and a basketball net indoors. In this way, the childminder ensures that children have regular physical play as part of a healthy lifestyle. Young children have regular periods of rest and sleep according to their needs. Warm relationships between the childminder and the children in her care promote healthy emotional development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. All areas of the premises are safe and secure, which enables children to move freely around the playroom and into the garden. The lounge is used for quieter activities. The premises are made welcoming with displays of posters and toys for children to select. The childminder provides an excellent range of resources, which are selected to be safe and suitable for the ages of children attending.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has assessed her home for safety and has taken steps to remove potential hazards. For example, cupboard locks are in place in the kitchen and a stair gate is in place at the foot of the stairs to prevent children's access. There are excellent fire safety systems in place. Children practise the evacuation procedure every month, so they learn how to leave the premises quickly and safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibility to safeguard the children in her care. She is aware of the possible indicators of abuse and the procedures to follow if she has concerns. Parents are informed of her role through a written policy. The children's welfare is promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a variety of worthwhile play and learning opportunities. They enjoy playing in the garden with sand and water trays. They pour the water into different containers and scrape and dig in the sand. They become engrossed in their activities. The childminder notices when the youngest child starts to lose interest and provides an alternative activity for play.

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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 Later, the children choose to play with the train track in the playroom. They build the track and share the resources, with help and support from the childminder. The children concentrate for a long time on building and refining the track. The childminder is skilled at extending the children's play to keep them interested and focused. She uses the learning opportunities within the activity, for example, she encourages the children to notice and match similar shapes and recognise the number of pieces. Young children's language development is promoted well by the childminder. She listens to the children and repeats their words back in context. The childminder explains what is happening at a level that young children can understand.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children of all ages have access to a wide variety of activities. However, the childminder does not record observations of children's learning and use these to plan specific activities that promote the next stages in their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of the needs and preferences of the children in her care. For example, she recognises the importance of a special comforter from home for very young children and provides this at nap time. She provides resources such as 'small world' figures and art and craft activities to enhance children's understanding of the diversity within society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn important social skills, such as sharing, with support from the childminder. They are encouraged to be gentle and to play well together. The children are beginning to understand what is expected of them and they willingly help to tidy up the toys. Children's good behaviour is endorsed with praise and time out is used appropriately, after a warning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides new parents with copies of her policies and a welcome pack for the children. A communication diary is used for each child and the childminder makes time for daily conversations with parents. The two-way flow of information supports continuity of care for the children and promotes a positive relationship with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder provides a very well organised environment for children. Her home is safe and child-friendly, which enables children to learn to develop independence as they select resources for themselves. The childminder has completed the initial training programme and she has plans for further relevant training in the near future. All relevant checks on household members are in place, indicating their suitability.

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Organisation

Regulatory requirements are met and all documentation relating to the safety, health and welfare of the children is in place and well maintained. The attendance register accurately reflects the times that children are on the premises. The childminder provides a comprehensive portfolio and policies for parents and she has relevant information for her own reference, to support her practice. Her certificate of registration is displayed prominently for parents on a notice board. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she 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

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 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): • use observations of children's abilities to plan activities that promote the next stages in their learning

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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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