Harlington Lower School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 138938 Inspection date 19 January 2006 Inspector Hilary Turner

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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 satisfactory. 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 1986. She lives with her husband and two adult children. The house is located in Hayes, Middlesex in the London Borough of Hillingdon. The premises are situated close to the Uxbridge road, local schools and bus routes to neighbouring boroughs. Children have access to all areas of the ground floor and access to sleeping and toilet facilities on the first floor. There is a safe and secure garden for outdoor play.

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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 The childminder is registered to care for six children aged under eight years. Currently there are four children on roll, one of whom is over eight years. They family have no pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in warm, clean and child focused environment. Risks from infection and illness are minimised as children do not attend if they are unwell. However, nappy changing procedures do not promote good hygiene practice. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate that ensures children receive appropriate first aid in the event of an accident. Children benefit from a healthy diet. They enjoy varied nutritious snacks and meals, most of which are provided by the childminder, in agreement with parents. These take into account special dietary requirements to ensure children remain healthy. Children are offered drinks regularly through out the day. Younger children access drinks independently, as their individual beakers are easily accessible. Visits to parks and frequent visits to local groups ensures children experience regular physical activity that promotes their physical development and good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are protected from harm and they are able to explore freely as the childminder has taken steps to make her home safe. For example, a stair gate prevents children's access to the stairs and fire equipment is readily available. They are able to feel relaxed and at home as space has been well organised to meet their individual needs; for example they eat, rest and play comfortably. Suitable and well maintained equipment is readily available to meet the children's individual needs such as, sleeping facilities, high chair and potty. Children’s welfare is satisfactorily protected as the childminder has a suitable understanding of her role and responsibilities in relation to child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder knows the children well. She provides a flexible daily routine that the

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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 children are familiar with, which meets their individual needs. As a result children are secure and settled. They are making good progress in their development as they choose to play with a good selection of toys and equipment. Children are well stimulated and interested in their play because toys and equipment are regularly rotated. For example, two young children chat together happily while they enjoy playing with cars and a garage. The atmosphere is very relaxed, children are busy and they sometimes include in the baby in their play. The childminder spends lots of time playing and talking with the children which helps their early language skills; for example, she sits on the floor reading stories. She talks to them about colours and shapes and they enjoy writing and drawing in their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

individual exercise books, where they are beginning to develop early writing skills. Children's overall experiences are widened as the childminder takes them out regularly to parks, toddler groups and to visit other childminders. Here they are developing their social skills, enjoying the company of other children and have opportunities to explore new activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued as their individual needs are met by the childminder. They are generally well behaved; the childminder has effective strategies in place to manage children's behaviour positively, appropriate to their age and level of understanding. The childminder provides clear consistent boundaries so children know what is expected of them. Lots of praise and encouragement is given for wanted behaviour and children are beginning to learn to share and take turns. Children are developing positive images of themselves and others as they play with toys and resources such as, dolls, books and puzzles. However, because the childminder lacks knowledge about issues relating to equal opportunities, children's learning about the wider world is limited. Children's welfare and development is promoted because the childminder ensures that she shares information with parents about their child's routine, interests and

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are able to feel relaxed and at home in the well organised environment. They happily settle in the warm and comfortable home and children feel secure in their surroundings. The childminder is warm and affectionate towards the children who are very happy in her care. They benefit from the good routine which enables the childminder to provide a high level of support and to maximise the time she

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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 spends playing with the children. They enjoy outings to the park and toddler groups where they are able to socialise with other children and widen their play experiences. Children's overall care, learning and play is promoted as most of the necessary information about children's individual needs is gathered from parents. As a result the children are cared for in accordance with their parents wishes. However, the childminder does not maintain a record of complaints. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection two recommendations were made: to ensure that the written information regarding children's dietary requirements is updated and parent's wishes adhered to; to gain prior written permission from parents to leave the children in the care of another childminder. The childminder now has systems in place to ensure up to date information on children's dietary requirements is in place and parents wishes adhered to. The childminder has reviewed her arrangements so that children are no longer left in the care of another childminder. As a result children's safety and welfare has improved.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint 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 satisfactory. 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure good hygiene practices are maintained particularly when changing nappies • increase knowledge and understanding of equal opportunity issues • implement a complaint log for the recording of any complaints made by parents relating to the National Standards.

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The quality and standards of the care

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