Childminder in Hillingdon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY253306 Inspection date 21/09/2010 Inspector Christine Bonnett

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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 assesses 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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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 was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and six years in Cowley, in the London Borough of Hillingdon. The whole house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She is registered on the Early Years Register, and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder routinely works as a co-childminder in her sister's home in Cowley.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. The family has two guinea pigs.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The supportive and skilled childminder understands how children learn and recognise each one as a unique individual; consequently children make excellent progress in their learning and development. She is fully committed to the continuous development of her practice for the benefit of the children and has highly effective systems in place to reflect upon her work. Her extremely strong relationship with parents also contributes towards the high quality of the service she provides.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 develop the outdoor area to provider a richer learning environment in which children can explore and learn about the natural world.

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the early years provision

The childminder fully understands her responsibility to safeguard the well-being of all the children, and does so effectively. All adults living and working in the home have undergone appropriate vetting procedures to assess their suitability to be in the proximity of the children. The childminder has a thorough knowledge of the indicators of child abuse, and of the relevant procedures for reporting concerns This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 efficiently. The comprehensive risk assessments of the home ensure that potential hazards to children are identified and minimised effectively. Daily safety checks are also carried out to make sure children are not harmed. The childminder's excellent organisational skills ensure that all the documents, policies and procedures required for the safe and efficient management of the setting are well maintained.

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the early years provision

The childminder routinely works with her sister, who is also a registered childminder. They are both highly committed to delivering a first-rate service for the children and their family's. This commitment ensures that the practice is managed efficiently and that children are happy and safe in their care. The environment is conducive to children's learning. There is ample play space available for them to fully explore the play materials in comfort, either in the lounge or conservatory. An extensive range of good quality and stimulating resources enable children to learn and have fun. The extremely good balance of adult led and free play allows children to make independent choices as they play.

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the early years provision

The highly effective partnerships with parents contribute significantly towards the well-being of the children. A wealth of relevant information is gained from each parent about the individual needs of their child before the arrangement begins to ensure the care provided is appropriate and consistent. Excellent information, such as all policies and procedures, is given to parent to ensure they are aware of the service they and their child will receive. Text messages and photographs of the child playing are sent daily to their parents to keep them informed about how their child is spending the day. Verbal and written feedback is also given. Annual reviews are held with parents in order to discuss all relevant issues and future plans. The childminder also liaises effectively with other agencies involved with the care of the children to ensure they receive the specific support they require. Parents have opportunities to see their child's development file in order to observe

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the early years provision

their progress. The play plans displayed for parents to view enable them to find out the theme for the week, in order to support their child's learning at home.

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the early years provision

The childminder is wholeheartedly committed to continuously developing the practice and her professional skills. Her self-evaluation is rigorous. It clearly and accurately identifies areas of strength as well as those requiring enhancement. One area targeted for change is the garden. The childminder has plans do develop a vegetable garden to enable children to understand where and how vegetables are grown. The recommendations made at the last inspection have been fully met and reinforce the childminder's commitment and capacity to make positive changes. Parent's views are sought as part of the evaluation process through the use of detailed questionnaires about the service provided. The feedback from the questionnaires reflects the parent's pleasure with the high quality care their children receive.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's excellent knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how to implement them effectively in her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 work ensures that every child makes highly effective progress in their learning and development. Children thrive and become confident and competent learners as they benefit enormously from the enthusiasm of the childminder and the friendly and warm environment she and her co-childminder create. Each child is viewed as a unique individual, and effective observations and assessments of their achievements are conducted in order to identify their specific learning priorities. Activities are well targeted to enable children to progress, and are often based on their particular interests. For example, a child showing a fascination with fruit will be given opportunities to touch, taste, count, and cut a variety of fruits. This one

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and outcomes for children

activity promotes the child's knowledge and understanding of the world, physical development, numeracy and language skills as they discuss their actions with the childminder. The childminder's flexible approach also allows children to learn at their own pace. For example, if they are clearly absorbed in free play, they will not be disturbed to participate in an adult-led activity until they are ready.

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy their play and show high levels of concentration. They take great pleasure in story time at home and the regular trips to the library reinforces language development. Fun activities, such as dabbling in trays of foam enable children to begin to form patterns in order to start to develop pre-writing skills. Children have supervised use of a computer, as well a plenty of opportunity to use programmable toys. Consequently, they are developing the necessary skills to operate information and communication technology in the future. The discussions about recycling, and watching the cart make the weekly collection, enable children to learn about the importance of sustainability.

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and outcomes for children

Children are offered excellent opportunities to learn the importance of adopting healthy lifestyles. They engage in a wide range of physical activities, such as running around in the local park and Black Park and playing in the back garden. They also walk to places of interest, such as the local canal to watch the boats and wildlife. In the colder weather, they benefit from physical exercise in Snakes and Ladders children's gym. High importance is given to providing healthy and nutritious meals. Organic foods are served that take account of specific dietary needs. The childminder aims to ensure each child enjoys between six and eight portions of fresh fruit and vegetables a day. The benefits of developing good nutritional habits are discussed with the children.

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and outcomes for children

The caring and nurturing environment created by the childminder and her co- childminder enable the children to flourish. They understand what is expected of them because there are rules in the home that are consistently applied. These include being nice to each other, sitting at the table to eat and taking off shoes. Knowing the rules help children develop a sense of belonging and security. Children also learn to be considerate to others and polite. The childminder helps children begin to develop an understanding of how to keep themselves safe as they join in emergency evacuation drills from the home and also learn the Green Cross Code. Children are happy and relaxed in the care of both the childminders. They happily welcome praise, cuddles and readily laugh and smile. This demonstrates that they feel safe and secure. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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