Childminder in Hillingdon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY417410 Inspection date 05/07/2011 Inspector Maria Conroy

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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 lives in a house in Uxbridge in the London borough of Hillingdon. She lives with her ex-husband, teenage child, one adult child, her partner and their child who is under one year. The ground floor is the main area used for childminding. There is a ground floor bathroom and an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder has a pet dog, which is kept separate from the children throughout the day. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years of whom no more than two may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding two children on a part-time basis, both of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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

Overall, children are happy and settled and their learning and development needs are promoted effectively. The childminder is aware of the children's individual requirements and works in partnership with parents and other professionals to support those needs. The majority of records are maintained effectively to promote children's welfare. However, some lapses in requesting written consent to administer medication have resulted in a breach of requirements. Overall, the childminder demonstrates a good capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain prior written permission for each and every medicine from parents before any medication is given (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 05/07/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 encourage further the use of reflective practice, self-evaluation and informed discussion that identifies the setting's strengths and priorities for development to improve the quality of provision for all children. 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 has completed training on safeguarding children and has a secure knowledge and understanding of the steps to be taken if she had to make a child protection referral. There are measures in place, which help to protect all children. For example, regular risk assessments are undertaken and in addition, daily checks are carried out on all areas of the premises and the outings that children participate in. The childminder has a wide range of policies and procedures in place to support her practices and to promote children's welfare. She generally implements all procedures effectively and although she has discussed with parents the detailed arrangements for administering medication, she has not consistently obtained prior written consent. This is a breach of a specific welfare requirement, although the childminder has taken immediate steps to rectify the error. Therefore, the impact on children's welfare is minimised.

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the early years provision

The childminder undertakes self-evaluation well overall and identifies most areas for further development. She also seeks parents' views about the service they receive by means of a questionnaire and by verbally consulting with them on a daily basis. The childminder is motivated to further improve her practice, for example, by assessing how resources are deployed and used and by attending future training in assessment and planning. She has already set up meetings with the local school to seek ways of improving the continuity of planning and assessment between the two settings. Resources are set up attractively both indoors and outdoors to encourage all children to participate in the activities provided. Children can make independent choices due to the effective organisation of the toys and equipment, which are rotated on a regular basis. The childminder sits with the children and supports them in their play by asking open-ended

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the early years provision

questions and continually promoting all aspects of the six areas of learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder seeks information about the children in her care when they first attend, to enable her to find out about their needs. Children enjoy taking part in planned activities to enable them to learn about different cultures, for example, as they make Caribbean banana cake. The childminder organises the daily routine to plan for children's individual needs throughout the day. For example, while younger children sleep, older children have specific activities planned for them. Children have access to a range of toys and equipment including those promoting positive images of the diverse community in which they live, including a good range of books.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive relationship with parents who make comments such as, 'the care provided is excellent'. The childminder spends quality time at the end of the day discussing with the parents what their child has been doing and how they have been. Parents have access to their child's developmental file at any time, which contains details of observations, photos and individual educational plans. A dedicated parents' notice board provides parents with useful information. The childminder is proactive in making links with other settings that the children attend, promoting continuity of care and education within both settings. The childminder ensures there is a regular exchange of information, has obtained This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 details of the planning and devises activities to support the themes and topics children are enjoying.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of the learning and development requirements. She is continually evaluating the systems in place to observe the children, and plan for their next steps for learning. A system for tracking children's progress is effective and enables the childminder to monitor the progress children and making and identify areas, which require further support. Children are provided with an interesting range of activities, which promotes all six areas of learning both indoors and outdoors. Individual developmental needs have been identified through the observation process and a varied range of suitable activities are planned to support these.

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and outcomes for children

Children's problem solving, reasoning and numeracy skills are promoted effectively. For example, they enjoy singing number songs and count pieces of chalk as they put them away. They make pictures using sponges to print and count the number of dots on each of the ladybirds they have made, encouraging them to count from one to 10. Children's communication language and literacy development is well promoted. Children enjoy snuggling up for stories and use various materials to mark make, such as the chalk on the board. The childminder continually models language to enable younger children to copy, enhancing their vocabulary and speech. Children explore and investigate sand and water and they enjoy a wide range of creative activities such as foot printing, dressing up and playing with small world play such as the farm. Children's skills for the future are actively promoted, for instance, through the use of books, singing songs and

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and outcomes for children

accessing a variety of battery operated toys. These include a play lap top for younger children and the older children have access to a real laptop to develop their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a good sense of belonging and respond well to the childminder and her family. As a result, they settle well and feel safe. Children take part in activities to help them learn how to stay safe, for example, posters displayed show photos of the children taking part in planned activities such as looking and listening before they cross the road. They undertake regular fire drills, which teach them how to evacuate the premises safely in the event of an emergency.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning to have a good understanding of what constitutes a healthy lifestyle, through well-planned activities. They learn about healthy eating and try a range of different foods during mealtimes. Children have fun planting vegetables such as tomato plants and learning to look after them. Young children adopt good personal hygiene routines, for example, they help the childminder by getting their changing mat ready and holding their wipes. Children engage in a wide range of physical activities, both indoors and out, increasing their understanding about the importance of regular exercise as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy climbing the slide, riding on small sit and ride cars and bubble painting. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are confident, showing good levels of self-esteem and building strong relationships within the setting. Photographs displayed around the home, show the

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and outcomes for children

children taking part in various activities. These enable them to share the fun times they have with their parents. They enjoy regular opportunities to meet and play with other children of a similar age through attending toddler groups, where they learn to cooperate and share with other children. The childminder encourages good manners and acts as a positive role model for children thanking them when they have put the toys away. This promotes their self-esteem effectively. 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 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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