Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY223074 Inspection date 13 March 2006 Inspector Christine Pettitt

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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 satisfactory. 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 registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and two children in a semi detached house in a residential area on the edge of Hemel Hempstead. They are in a short walking distance of local schools, shops and parks. The ground floor of the premises are used for childminding. This includes a spacious lounge and dining room, playroom, and cloakroom. There is an enclosed garden for children to play. The childminder currently cares for three children. Two are cared for after school and for some holidays. The childminder is willing to take children to toddler groups. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are welcomed into a friendly, warm, relaxed atmosphere. They learn effective hygiene practice through observations of the clean, organised home, of the childminder's food hygiene procedures and through routinely carrying out hygiene practice. Children know they should wash they hands after using the toilet and before meals. A written sickness policy ensures parents know when to keep their child at home if they are unwell. The risk of cross infection is minimised by the daily change of hand towels in the cloakroom. Children enjoy healthy snacks and meals. These are freshly cooked and contain nutritious foods and fruit and vegetables. Drinks are provided at mealtimes and throughout the day. A child greatly enjoyed a snack of sliced strawberries and apples and a strawberry milkshake. Diets are discussed with parents, there are currently no children with special dietary requirements. Children eat together at the table with the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder. Daily physical exercise and fresh air promotes the health of the children. They go out each day for walks to collect children from school, to toddler groups, or to the park. The play in the garden where they can use swings, slide, see-saw, skipping ropes, scooters and wheeled equipment to improve their balance and the coordination of their physical skills. During the school holidays children visit farms, museums, and parks out of the locality, and swimming pools.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in an environment where safety precautions are in place. Children do not have access to the kitchen unless they go through into the garden, when they are supervised by the childminder. First aid resources and medication are out of reach and socket covers are in place. There is a fire safety plan, which is discussed with the children. Policies relating to the premises indicate that safety within the setting and on outings is a priority. An equipment policy shows a commitment to ensuring that equipment is well maintained and conforms to safety standards. Children are learning about safety. They know they must hold hands as they cross the road and are asked questions as they wait to cross roads as to whether they can see what is coming, is it safe to cross? Discussions take place about road safety when using work sheets which the childminder obtained on a road safety workshop.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children know they must stay with the childminder on outings and are learning they should not talk to strangers. They know how to use the park play equipment safely. Children's welfare is promoted through the childminders understanding of child protection issues. She has attended a basic child protection course and is aware of signs which may indicate concerns about a child. She has the required first aid

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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 resources and has attended a first aid course, but does not have a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children delight to play in a stimulating, child orientated environment. They experience a variety of play activities including free play, creative activities, stories, singing, a weekly cooking session and outings to toddler groups, walks, park visits. They independently access an excellent variety of play resources covering all types of play. Children's emotional needs are met well. Children willingly ask for help and receive reassurance when they are unsure. They enjoy a warm, affectionate relationship with the childminder who by her calm, gentle, caring manner and constant interaction makes children feel welcome and know that they are valued. Children choose their preferred activity and show sustained interest for some while on each activity. They greatly benefit from the childminder's sensitive input to encourage their learning as they play. An example is, a child engrossed in

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

imaginative play set up a jungle scene with a large selection of animals to use. The child is asked questions as he plays, such as what he thinks the different animals might like to eat. When he is unsure the childminder makes suggestions of the answers. Number skills are encouraged through counting the childminder's fingers, or the swords and doughnuts used in the board games played with the childminder. Children enjoy creative activities such as making mother's day cards or carefully painting a butterfly picture. These activities are used very well to promote the children's understanding and skills. During the school holidays children enjoy art activities, such as making money boxes, windmills and kites. They delight to play in the garden, using the play equipment, play basketball and have water play. When they visit the park they collect stones to paint to use as paper weights and sticks which they paint to look like snakes. They love to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

explore and find insects or bugs to investigate. Children visit farms, museums, parks, cinema's and pleasure parks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are behaving well. Younger children are learning to share, to play harmoniously and to be polite. Acceptable behaviour is promoted through children knowing the expectations of behaviour, ensuring they are well occupied and receive the attention they need. If there were concerns regarding a child's behaviour, this is discussed with parents and their strategies are followed. Time out for older children or distraction for younger children are used. Children receive enthusiastic praise and reassurance which promotes acceptable behaviour. There is a written policy. Effective partnerships with parents are evident. Children's individual needs are discussed in detail with the parents prior to a new arrangement. There is a portfolio

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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 for new parents to view and copies of the policy statements and information regarding the arrangements are given to the parents. A communication book is provided for parents of children under five years where comments regarding the child's day are recorded. For older children verbal information is given. This provides continuity of care for the child. References from parents include comments such as 'her house is very child friendly and always kept clean and tidy,' 'is very professional and flexible', 'she is a caring and loving person, towards children of all ages.' Children's individual characters, stage of development and preferred play are known to the childminder. She is aware of their characters, knowing appropriate responses to their individuality. She provides reassurance and attention according to the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

children's needs. In activities such as cooking all children are included at their various levels of ability. A special needs policy indicates an awareness of the need to promote the development of the children in partnership with parents and other professionals. Children are made aware of other cultures through the provision of play resources which reflect other cultures and through activities relating to festivals.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a well organised environment. They have a bright, pleasant play room which is arranged to provide a spacious area for floor play. Play resources are in a unit which has removable containers which children can move easily to access the toys. Other resources are in cupboards in the playroom and dining area. There is a cloakroom situated adjoining the playroom. A notice board is for children's art work to be displayed. The required documentation is available. There is an accident and incident book in place but these are not always recorded, nor have the parents signed the record. There are written agreements with parents and attendance records note the actual times the children attend. There is written information for new parents and for younger children a daily written record of the child's day. Observation charts have been completed for younger children.

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Organisation

A commitment to childminding is indicated by the workshops which have been attended by the childminder. These include road safety, policy writing, relationship with parents, child protection and food hygiene. Although a first aid course has been attended the current certificate has expired. The childminder has the 'Birth to three matters,' information and uses this for reference. Overall the range of children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the previous inspection there were two recommendations: to increase knowledge of health issues including notifiable and other infectious diseases and cot death; to ensure records must be available for inspection. The childminder has information regarding infectious diseases and cot death which

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 she accessed from a health site on the internet. The required records are available at this inspection. There is a recommendation regarding accident and incidents from this inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report since 1st April 2004. 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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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 a current first aid certificate is maintained and accidents and incidents are always recorded and parents sign these • enhance the written information for parents relating to child care practice and routines.

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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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