Childminder in Hillingdon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY306331 Inspection date 15 March 2006 Inspector Jean Williams

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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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and 3 children aged 9, 7 and 2 years. The family live in a house in West Drayton, close to shops, local parks, schools and public transport. The childminder uses the ground floor of the home for childminding purposes. Children play in the dining room and rest in the sitting room. They have access to the first floor bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for out door play. The childminder regularly takes the children to parks and places of interest, as well as the local parent and toddler group.

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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 She is registered to care for 4 children under 8 years old at any one time; she currently has 2 children on roll, both attend the setting on a part time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder has good hygiene routines, making sure children play in a clean environment. The examples and clear explanations that the childminder gives ensure that children are learning to follow safe hygiene practices, for example, encouraging children to wash their hands before meal times and helping them to use tissues to clean their noses. She discusses with the children the consequences of putting the toys in their mouths and spreading germs. There are effective policies and procedures in place to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder holds the required documentation which ensures that children are cared for in accordance with parent's wishes. Children benefit from a healthy, varied diet. The childminder plans menus and offers children wholesome meals such as pasta and rice dishes. Snacks offered include dried and fresh fruit. This helps to promote healthy lifestyles and assists the children

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Helping children to be healthy

to establish good eating habits from a young age. Children play in the garden in fine weather where they are able to develop their climbing and balancing skills by using the large equipment. In addition, they enjoy regular opportunities to go on walks and trips to the park where they can run and take advantage of the open space. The childminder also takes the children to the local library and shops.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in an organised, accessible and homely environment. They are able to move around freely and safely. Children have easy and safe access to a collection of clean, safe toys and play equipment. They would, however, benefit from a wider choice of resources which would give them more variety. Children are able to make their own choices from the activities currently available. Their developmental progress is supported and stimulated by the childminder offering art and craft activities, such as junk modelling. Children are cared for in a home where most risks have been identified and minimised. The childminder carries out risk assessments to ensure that the home and garden are safe for the children to play in. There are currently some potential hazards that have been overlooked, such as the garden gate and the safety of the electric sockets. Smoke alarms are in place and are tested to make sure they are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

working properly. Children are kept safe on outings in the local community. The childminder uses buggies that are fitted with harnesses and raises the children's

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 awareness of safety by giving them clear explanations of road safety when out walking. Written parental permission is in place to take children on outings. The childminder has procedures and documents in place to ensure that children's welfare is promoted and protected; these are shared with parents. She has a good understanding of the possible signs and symptoms of child abuse. The childminder has a current first aid certificate, showing she has the knowledge to deal with any accidents should they arise. Parents are kept fully informed of any incidents that take place whilst their children are in the childminder's care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children play purposefully with their chosen activities. They are confident and communicate well with the childminder. The toys are stored so that they are easily accessible to the children, which means that they are able to make individual choices and have some independence for their learning. The children enjoyed making puzzles, the childminder gave assistance when needed and encouraged them to help one another and share. The toys and play equipment offered by the childminder provide variety and balance. Children's development is being stimulated through the craft activities, such as junk modelling, offered by the childminder. She also encourages them with positive praise and encouragement for their achievements. The childminder takes the children to the local toddler group which enables them to socialise with other children. Children are provided with an interesting daily routine. As well as attending the parent

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and toddler group they enjoy visits to the library and the local park where they can run and make use of the extra outdoor space. In fine weather the children use the garden and enjoy playing on the large equipment; they also participate in art and craft activities such as painting on the patio.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They are developing a positive attitude to others and are learning about their surroundings through talking about events that happen to them in their everyday life. Children have access to a good range of puzzles which illustrate positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. However, there are few other resources that help them to understand and learn about the wider world. They learn about the local community through visits to the park, library and parent and toddler group. The childminder works closely with the parents, sharing information about the children in her care and the service that she provides. She extends a warm welcome to her home which enables parents to become confident in the care their children are receiving. The childminder has good, clear information about her setting which she gives to parents at the start of their child's placement. This means that they are kept

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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 fully informed about the service that the childminder offers and her policies and practices. Children are learning to share the toys and take turns through the simple guidance and good role models offered by the childminder. The children and the childminder share appropriately warm, close, caring relationships. This means that they are confident and comfortable in the homely environment and are able to develop at their own pace. Children are shown respect, they are well supported and are able to understand the boundaries set by the childminder, as a result their behaviour is very good.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children develop in a child-friendly, caring environment. They are happy, relaxed and settled; as a result they benefit from being cared for in the well-organised, safe home. Children receive appropriate levels of support from the childminder and good relationships are fostered. Children enjoy a range of resources and activities that help to promote their development. Available toys and play materials are easily accessible and the childminder is proactive in her response to the children's interests and needs. All required documentation is in place, it is clear and up to date. Information kept about the children is relevant and promotes their welfare. Regular informal discussions with parents ensures continuity of care for the children. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides

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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 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

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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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 potential hazards in the home and garden are made safe • extend the toys and resources available to the children including those that portray positive images of race, language, gender and culture

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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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