Childminder in Hillingdon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 161133 Inspection date 21/01/2010 Inspector Samantha Hunt

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and six years in Hayes, in the London borough of Hillingdon. The childminder uses a purpose built playroom building within the grounds of her home for childminding. There are kitchen, toilet and sleep facilities within the building and a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. The childminder is currently caring for two children in the early years age group, on a full and part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five to 11 years. The childminder walks to local schools and nurseries to take and collect children.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children play in a warm, welcoming and child-friendly environment. The childminder values all children’s individual needs and plans a variety of activities and experiences which ensures children make good progress in their learning. The childminder has used training experiences to help her reflect on her practice and, as a result, she has continued improvement within her provision.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 improve the record of risk assessment so that it includes information on who conducted it, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident. (Documentation) 26/02/2010

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 continue to develop systems for reflecting on practice to include regularly seeking the views of children and parents  improve documentation shared with parents by removing references made to the local authority. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of promoting children’s safety and well-being. She is clear about her role in safeguarding children and has completed further training to keep her knowledge up to date. She supervises children well and has clear procedures in place should someone other than a parent comes to collect children. The childminder ensures children play in a safe and secure purpose built play room. Toys and resources are in good order, with most being easily accessible to the children. Whilst the childminder has completed a written risk assessment including everything children come into contact with, it does not clearly show who has completed it or have a date for any review. This is a breach of regulation.

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the early years provision

The childminder has acted on the recommendations made at her last inspection and shows a clear desire to improve her practice. She has reflected and improved on areas of her provision whilst recently studying, but acknowledges that she has not always sort the views of the children or parents to support this process further. The childminder maintains all relevant documentation such as a daily record of the children’s attendance and details of medication administered. However, some documents such as written contracts with parents relate to the local authority being the regulator. This is incorrect and is misleading to parents. The childminder shows a good understanding of the six areas of learning. She plans a flexible daily routine of activities which help children to progress. Regular observations are undertaken by the childminder and used to help her in planning for the children's next steps in learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows a good understanding of providing an inclusive environment for all the children that attend. She is proactive in gathering information about their individual needs and preferences. The childminder works in partnership with others, for example, gathering information about the curriculum from the local nursery which children attend. This also helps to reinforce and support children’s learning and development.

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the early years provision

Good relationships have been formed with parents, with the childminder sharing information about her provision including safeguarding, sickness and how to make a complaint. Information is shared with parents daily and regular discussions take place between the childminder and parents with regards to children’s developmental progress. Observational records are freely available to parents. Views gathered from parents state they are very happy with the care their children receive. They feel the childminder has a caring nature and is professional in her approach. She communicates effectively with them in all areas of their children's care and learning and they value the safe environment and activities she provides. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and content as they play and learn. They confidently make individual choices about what they want to play with and make their needs known to the childminder. For example, requesting help to push play dough through a modelling tool or when going to the toilet. Children relate well to the childminder and have clearly formed good relationships with her. They are developing their writing skills as they begin to label their own work and are handling lots of different resources such as pens, pencils, rolling pins, cutters and scissors which develop their fine motor skills. The childminder has taken advantage of recent adverse weather conditions to encourage children to experiment and explore. For example, touching and feeling the snow and ice, and watching what happens to it when they bring some indoors. Children take part in physical activities and begin to see how exercising can help to warm you up on a cold day. They show curiosity as

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and outcomes for children

they watch and wait for the magic liquid to set in the mould and then proudly show the childminder and visitors what they have made. Children develop their imaginations as they whizz the superman toy through the air and make cups of tea at the cooker. They have regular opportunities to take part in arts and craft activities, with creations being effectively displayed in the play room for all to see. This helps children to feel valued. The childminder involves herself well in children’s learning, interacting at their level, and using good questioning techniques to develop learning further and make children think. For example, 'What colours are the magic liquid bottles and what happens if they mix two colours together?'.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop independence and skills for the future as they access their drink whenever they wish. The childminder provides children with daily snacks and meals which include fresh fruit and vegetables. Where parents provide meals the childminder ensures they are stored appropriately to minimise risks to children’s heath. Meal times are a social occasion with children sitting at the table and engaging in conversation with the childminder. The childminder further enhances healthy eating by encouraging children to place fruit and vegetable stickers on a five a day chart when they have eaten something healthy. Children feel safe because they are cared for in a clean, secure environment. The childminder involves children in regular emergency evacuations of the premises and reinforces road safety with all children when on outings or the school run. The childminder gives good explanations to help them develop their own awareness, for example,

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and outcomes for children

explaining calmly why they must all sit on the chair carefully. Children behave well and receive lots of positive praise and encouragement from the childminder. They become aware about the wider world in which they live as they learn about countries around the world and celebrate festivals and cultures. The childminder is a good role model to the children and shows them warmth and kindness. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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