Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY316166 Inspection date 06 March 2006 Inspector Kerry Freshwater

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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 October 2005. She lives with her husband and one child aged 17 months in Hertford. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and one upstairs bedroom for sleep purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five all day. The childminder attends the local toddler and childminder groups. The family has two pet cats.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. They play in the garden and visit local open spaces regularly to benefit from the fresh air. Children experience a variety of physical activities using both large and small equipment. For example, they have fun on the climbing apparatus at the local parks. They enjoy sit-on rides, the swing, trampoline, ball pit, tent and tunnel in the garden. In the house they enjoy building with bricks, manipulating play dough, sorting shapes, playing instruments and completing puzzles. Children learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They are cared for in a welcoming, clean home where they understand the importance of regular cleaning routines to keep them safe and healthy. Young children gain a clear understanding of why they must wash their hands after playing in the garden, using the toilet and before food. Children begin to learn about keeping their bodies healthy

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Helping children to be healthy

through discussion and books. Children are beginning to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They have access to water throughout the day and eat plenty of fresh fruit and healthy snacks. Toddlers develop their early eating skills as they feed themselves using their fingers and spoons. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and is happy to provide a range of healthy cooked meals for children from the sample menu provided.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is a high priority and they are cared for in a home where risks are identified and minimised. They move around safely, freely and independently and adhere to house rules to keep them safe. Children know not to climb on furniture so they do not fall and hurt themselves or others. The childminder helps children understand how to keep themselves free from harm inside and outside of the home with interesting activities, discussion and leading by example. Children learn to be aware of cars on the road, they learn to stop at the kerb, they know to hold the childminder's hand when on outings. They practise evacuating the house in an emergency to stay safe in the event of a fire. There is a varied range of safe developmentally appropriate resources at child height for easy access. This enables the children to independently select their play and activities safely. The childminder has the required procedures and documents in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she has a good understanding of child protection issues and has all the relevant information to hand.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are relaxed and confident in the setting. They play happily and enjoy a broad variety of stimulating play and activities which are child-led or planned and organised by the childminder. They receive adult guidance to give them extra support if needed but their independence is promoted as much as possible. They benefit from a range of activities which help develop their knowledge and skills. For example, children begin to know different colours when they choose construction bricks or sort shapes. They count as they sing songs and nursery rhymes and as they go up the stairs to bed. Sharing books helps to develop their language and reading skills as the childminder points out different things and children try to repeat the words. They learn to explore and investigate as they push buttons and turn handles on a range of activity toys and participate in simple games on the computer.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Access to toys and equipment for differing abilities encourages the children's progress. They become confident as they complete puzzles and build with large construction blocks. Regular use of music and creative materials such as crayons, paint, play dough and glue encourages the children to represent their ideas in a variety of ways. They enthusiastically squeeze and mould the play dough, enjoy finger painting, draw with chalk on the blackboard, dance and follow action rhymes. They have a number of opportunities to express their feelings and experiences through imaginative play as they play with the hoover and dolls. Their confidence and self-esteem is developed with frequent praise and encouragement which is given at appropriate times. Children's sense of belonging is promoted by the childminder who knows them well and values their achievements which she shares with parents. Children play well together. They make positive

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

relationships, finding new friends on outings to the park and various groups that they attend.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are provided with interesting and meaningful resources and simple discussion to promote a positive view of the wider world. They enjoy books, dolls, videos and the play bus depicting culture and disability. Children are valued and respected. Their individual needs are met as they follow their daily routine which is discussed with parents. Children behave very well. They understand right and wrong through consistent boundaries, praise and the age appropriate methods used by the childminder to manage their behaviour. Children are considerate, share, take turns and are learning to say please and thank you. The childminder provides a range of opportunities for the children to socialise which helps them make positive relationships with others. Realistic challenges are set by the childminder to help the children develop. This promotes their confidence and self-esteem. They feel relaxed and secure and able to make independent choices

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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 Children benefit from a very strong partnership between the childminder and parents who exchange information frequently. They have daily discussions about minded children and the childminder writes a diary to keep parents up to date with events and routine activities. This helps provide consistency in the children's care and keep parents well informed of how their child's needs are being met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children's needs are met through very effective organisation and good communication with parents. Space and equipment is prepared so that children can access resources easily and independently which enables them to make choices about their play. A balance of child-led activities and organised play ensure children have a range of different enjoyable experiences whilst they are with the childminder. They benefit from routines which make them feel secure and relaxed. Children play, eat, sleep and rest as they need to. Documentation is stored securely and information shared appropriately with parents. All of the required policies and procedures are in place to help keep children healthy and safeguard their welfare. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge which she is looking to update with relevant training. She has completed the Introduction to Childminding Practice (ICP) and holds a current first aid qualification. Overall, the

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Organisation

needs of all the children who attend are met.

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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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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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 parents' signatures are obtained against all records of medication administered.

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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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