Childminder in Hillingdon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY281739 Inspection date 08/11/2011 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 registered in 2004. She lives with her husband, two adult children and child of 12 years in Cowley, in the London Borough of Hillingdon. The ground floor of the house is mainly is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. Of these, no more than three children may be in the early years age group at any one time. She is currently minding two children in this age group. The family has a cat.

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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

The childminder clearly provides a safe and inclusive service for children. She works effectively with parents to ensure children's needs are known and met appropriately. The childminder's good understanding of the learning and development requirements means that overall children make good progress. The childminder is fully committed to the continuous development of her practice. As a result, she continually promotes effective outcomes for the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide different arrangements of toys and soft play materials to encourage tumbling, rolling and climbing over and through.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the necessary steps to take in order to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Her safeguarding policy is made available to parents to ensure they are aware of her duties and responsibilities in relation to reporting child protection concerns. Risk assessments conducted in the home and for outings identify potential safety hazards and the measures taken to manage them. All the records, policies and procedures required for the safe and efficient management of her provision are maintained and further contribute towards the children's well-being.

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the early years provision

The childminder clearly recognises the value to the children of self-evaluating her practice. She has devised a development plan detailing the positive changes she This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 has already made and those she is working towards. Since the last inspection she has attained a diploma in home-based childcare at level 3 and applies her new skills and knowledge to her work. Her plans for the future include creating a sensory area in her garden to provide a richer learning experience for children.

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the early years provision

Very successful relationships are formed with parents. The childminder and parents work closely together to devise strategies to mange development issues successfully, such as potty training. There is also a continual flow of information between them to ensure the care provided is appropriate and consistent. All the events of the day are noted and given to the parents to read and to add any relevant information that needs to be shared. Text messages and emails also keep parents in touch during the day. Parent questionnaires are used as part of the childminder's self-evaluation and as part of the inspection process. These show that parents are very happy with the level of communication between them and the childminder, the standard of care given and the good range of meals provided. There are currently no children who attend other early years settings. However, the childminder has a positive attitude towards liaising with other professionals to

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the early years provision

support children's individual needs and enable them to progress.

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the early years provision

Children play in a clean and comfortable home. They have ample space to enjoy and explore the play materials provided. The childminder regularly sets out resources that she knows the children are interested in and enjoy using. A range of other equipment is also available for the children to access and toys and resources are regularly rotated to maintain the children's interest. The childminder sits with the children and uses the resources well to create fun and stimulating activities. This positive interaction helps children achieve. All the play equipment and resources are clean and in good condition.

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the early years provision

The childminder effectively promotes equality and diversity. Children visit drop-in groups where they have the opportunity to socialise with children from cultural backgrounds that are different to their own. They also access resources that reflect positive images of diversity, such as books. The childminder knows the children well and provides any additional support required to help them achieve.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their play. They become active learners as they engage fully with the play resources and activities. Their communication and literacy skills are well promoted as children readily access books in the childminder's home or at the library. They enjoy snuggling up to the childminder for a story or to look at and talk about the pictures. Drawing with crayons, helps develop pre-writing skills and creativity. Children play with puzzles and building blocks, which help them to problem solve and count. They enjoy their favourite games, such as, pressing the buttons on a programmable toy in the shape of a picnic basket. They answer the questions about the colours and shapes of the pretend food inside. This type of activity also helps children to develop information and communication technology skills for the future. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder monitors children's progress closely. She carries out observations on the children and assesses her findings in order to identify their stages of development in each learning area. The next step in their individual learning is identified and included in children's play plans. This system clearly shows the progress each child makes towards the early learning goals. The records are shared with parents to enable them to support their child's learning at home. Children gain knowledge about the world around them, for example, as they walk to the nearby pond to feed the moorhens and grow plants in the back garden.

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and outcomes for children

From a young age children learn about the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle. They know that their hands need to be washed before eating and are eager to sit down for their snack of fresh fruit and water. Healthy eating is promoted well as the childminder talks to the children about which foods are good for them. The lunch and dinner menus include options, such as, shepherd's pie with vegetables, sandwiches and yogurt. As well as walking to the pond, children benefit from physical exercise in the back garden and playing on the swings in the park. However, children have fewer opportunities for physical challenge indoors as play equipment is generally all at low level.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a strong sense of belonging because they become familiar with the daily routine and what is expected of them. For example, they are encouraged to help tidy up and to share the toys. From a young age children develop an understanding of how to help keep safe as they participate in routine emergency evacuation drills from the home and are also shown how to cross roads safely. Children are relaxed, content and feel safe in the childminder's care. They show this by chatting happily to themselves as they become absorbed in their play. They welcome the warm interaction given by the childminder, and respond with smiles of pleasure when they receive praise. 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 3 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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