Childminder in Hillingdon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY249328 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, one adult child and a child aged 13, 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 five 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 four children in this age group as some attend on a part time basis. She is registered on the Early Years Register, and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder regularly works with her sister, who is also a registered childminder. The family has no pets.

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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

Children make excellent progress in all areas of their learning and development. The supportive and skilled childminder understands how children learn and recognises each child as an individual. Her effective partnership with parents ensures she is aware of each child's individual needs, and how to meet them. The childminder uses her highly effective self-evaluation of her practice to ensure she is able to continuously reflect upon and develop her practice. This is evident in the high quality 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 use their senses.

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the early years provision

Safeguarding children is given high priority and children are kept safe from harm as the childminder has an in-depth awareness of the signs and symptoms of child abuse. She also has all relevant procedures to follow to report concerns efficiently. All adults living and working in the home have undergone appropriate vetting procedures to assess their suitability to be in the proximity of minded children. The childminder undertakes regular and comprehensive risk assessments of her premises, as well as making daily visual checks, to ensure that children can play This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safely. All the documents, policies and procedures required for the safe and efficient management of the setting, and to ensure the children?s needs are met, are 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 organised, which ensures their practice is effective and up to date. They both share a common goal of ensuring children are safe, happy and developing well in their provision. The childminder uses her time and resources highly effectively to provide children with an extensive range of stimulating and fun learning experiences. There is an extremely good balance of adult led and free play. Resources are set out appealingly for children to use, with additional items readily available for them access to promote their independence.

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the early years provision

Children benefit significantly from the excellent working relationship between the childminder and the parents. The childminder ensures that she keeps parents well- informed through daily verbal discussions, and written communication diaries. Parents are provided with excellent quality information about the childminder's provision. For example, the childminder has developed a range of comprehensive written policies and procedures to underpin her practice. She also keeps parents up-to-date and reassured about their child?s welfare by texting them and sending photographs to them throughout the day. Parents are shown their child's individual records of achievement to keep them informed about progress in their learning. They also have the opportunity to support their child?s leaning at home as the weekly play plans are displayed in the hall.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes highly effective links with other agencies to further support children?s individual development needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder is enthusiastic and highly committed to her ongoing professional development. She has identified courses to attend, such as the Diploma for home- based childcare, to enhance her existing skills. The childminder reflects and appraises her practice to maintain continuous improvement. She has effective systems in place to identify strengths and weaknesses. The childminder demonstrates her ability to improve as she has fully addressed the recommendations made at the last inspection. She takes every opportunity to share her vision and ambitions for the development of her provision with parents and seeks their views through discussion and the completion of questionnaires. One area identified for enhancement is the garden. The childminder has plans to create a richer learning environment for the children by developing a vegetable plot and having a range of sensory equipment available for the children to enjoy.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder fully recognises that every child is unique. She is highly skilled in creating a stimulating environment and offering appropriate levels of support, which allows children to be confident and competent learners. They benefit from her energetic, welcoming and friendly approach. Children focus well on their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 chosen activities, for example, dressing up and being a princess, or selecting books and looking at them with concentration. The childminder's thorough understanding of child development and the learning requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage enables her to make comprehensive observations of children's progress and link these to the different areas of learning. She uses her assessments of the observations to plan each child's next step in their learning journey to ensure that they continue to make excellent progress. The childminder is very flexible and

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and outcomes for children

adapts her planned activities according to children's interests and mood. For example, she will allow them to continue enjoying the free-play if they are all fully engaged, and not disrupt them by introducing the adult-led activity.

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy their play, having great fun as they learn. They develop skills for the future as mark making materials are readily available. The good use of books and visits to the library foster children's pleasure in reading, and numeracy is included in the routine of the day. Posters on the walls also support children's knowledge of counting and pre-reading. Children have an enormous amount of access to programmable toys, and supervised access to a computer, to enable them to begin to learn how to operate information and communication technology. In addition, children learn about the importance of sustainability as they discuss recycling and watch the carts making the weekly collection.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder affords excellent opportunities for children to adopt healthy lifestyles. Fresh, organic produce is obtained to ensure a nutritious and balanced diet, that takes account of individual dietary needs, is served. The childminder aims to ensure that each child has between six and eight portions of fresh fruit and vegetables each day. Fresh herbs are grown in the garden and children learn about the benefits of good nutrition. Children engage in a variety of physical activities. They have fun on the slide in the back garden, and regularly walk along the canal to watch the boats negotiate the lock. Black Park and the local park are also visited to enable children to run around and enjoy the open air. In addition, they benefit from the physical exercise at Snakes and Ladders children's gym.

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and outcomes for children

Children thrive in the warm and nurturing environment created by the childminder and her co-childminder. Children are praised for achievement, and develop excellent social skills, such as saying 'Please may I?' and 'Thank-you' at appropriate times. They also learn the house rules, such as being kind to each other and sitting at the table to eat and drink. These help to give children a sense of belonging and good self-esteem. The children demonstrate that they feel safe and relaxed in the care of both the childminders as they welcome a cuddle when they wake from a nap, and readily laugh and smile. 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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