Childminder in Ealing

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 152922 Inspection date 07 December 2005 Inspector Helen Ann Woods

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 has been registered since 2001 and is currently caring for 2 children aged under 8 years after school. She lives with her husband and school aged children in a house situated on a residential road in Greenford in the London Borough of Ealing. It is close to local train, bus services and amenities. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family do not have any pets.

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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 are cared for in a clean healthy environment where procedures are in place to maintain good levels of hygiene through daily routines such as hand washing when arriving home from school and before preparing food. Policies and procedures are in place for first aid, accidents and medication ensuring they are well cared for. Children are protected from unnecessary illness as they do not attend if they are contagious. Children are offered a healthy diet and are involved in the choosing of weekly menus. They take account of individual requirements and personal preferences such as home prepared vegetarian meals, religious requirements and variety in menu choices that tempt children to try new tastes. Children are developing well physically through regular daily walks to and from school, climbing, running and jumping in the well-organised garden and visits to local parks during school holidays.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a warm, welcoming home where children feel safe and secure. The space within the house and in the garden is well organised allowing children to move about safely and independently. Risks have been carefully identified and minimised, for example, children meet the childminder in the school office when collected from school and observe a strict code of conduct when walking to and from school. They are observant to local traffic conditions and observe the 'green cross code'. Toys and resources are checked regularly to ensure that there are no broken parts to harm them. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted, for example the childminder holds a current paediatric first aid certificate. She has a good understanding of child protection procedures, which she keeps updated by attending regular training. The

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder has undertaken further training in child protection and has a copy of the local area procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are eager to attend and demonstrate excitement and enthusiasm when playing in the safe setting. Children are confident and readily make themselves 'at home'. They have good self-esteem, which is fostered well by the childminder as she listens with interest and praises their achievements. Children express themselves and communicate confidently using gesture, expression and language.

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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 They regularly visit the local library to choose their own books for pleasure and homework reference. Children have opportunities to refine and strengthen their small and gross movements through the daily routine; they ably draw, paint, stick with craft activities they have seen on programmes such as 'Art Attack' and 'Blue Peter'. Toys and equipment are well placed so allowing children to help themselves and make independent choices. Children involve the childminder in their play and they receive lots of warm, individual attention which enables them to successfully extend their learning and experiences. The childminder has a sound knowledge of child development. This means that children's personal, social and emotional development are well supported.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children from a variety of ethnic backgrounds and children with special needs are warmly welcomed by the childminder. She ensures that the resources positively represent the children who attend as well as individuals from the wider community. This enables them to learn about other people and understand the differences in others. Children are used to hearing other languages such as Urdu within the household. Individual children’s needs are met as they enjoy taking part in a range of stimulating activities to help their development. For example, climbing and balancing which helps their dexterity. Children are provided with materials that are accessible to all of them. The childminder understands the importance of helping them to develop a strong identity and feel good about themselves, their family and others. Children are learning to take turns and share. They are very well-behaved as the childminder

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Helping children make a positive contribution

provides consistent boundaries and offers lots of praise and encouragement. Children’s needs regarding diet and routine are discussed with parents and incorporated in the planning of the daily routine. Parents are kept well informed as the childminder has regular meetings with them about the children's progress and well being.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and at ease within the well-organised environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Children use all available play space in and outside the home. Children benefit from a variety of outings such as visiting the library to choose reference and reading books, local places of interest and the school disco. The childminder keeps up-to-date with new childminding developments by attending regular training programmes in order to develop her skills and improve the service she provides to children and their families. The childminder is keen to develop her

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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 knowledge and skills to benefit the children, for example, by making use of Birth to three matters even though she is not caring for very young children at the moment. All documents are in place according to regulation. They are stored securely and made available for inspection. She regularly shares them with parents although recording of any concerns needs to be kept separate to ensure confidentiality. The childminder keeps parents well informed about the care that is provided. The childminder meets the needs for the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that children have access to a range of resources that reflect disability. The childminder has chosen some books from the local library and play people that show different types of disability along with a good selection of resources that reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity and gender. As a result the children's development and well being is enhanced.

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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. There are no complaints to report.

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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): • ensure that concerns are recorded and kept separately to maintain confidentiality.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and

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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 concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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