Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY318791 Inspection date 26 June 2006 Inspector Hilary Preece

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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 outstanding. 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 2005. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 11 and 9 years in St Albans. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom and front bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight at any one time and is currently minding one child under five on a part-time basis. She walks to the local schools to take and collect children. The childminder is able to attend local parent and toddler groups if appropriate. The family has a pet rabbit.

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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. She holds a teaching qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's health and physical development is promoted by a thorough sickness policy and procedures. All the required records and documents are in place to ensure that children's medical needs are met and information is shared with parents. Comprehensive information on medical issues is available that supports children's health and they receive prompt medical attention and first aid when necessary. Children are protected from the risk of infection because the childminder uses excellent methods to promote children's understanding of good hygiene. They sing a special hand washing song to remind them how to do this well. They then inspect their hands in a low level mirror to check that they are clean and use individual hand towels and face cloths to prevent any spread of germs. Children are encouraged to become responsible for their personal care by helping themselves to tissues when

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Helping children to be healthy

needed and brushing their teeth after meals to keep them clean and healthy. Children enjoy their food and are encouraged to make healthy choices. They are introduced to new foods sensitively and develop understanding of the importance of a healthy diet through carefully planned activities and conversation. For example, they examine unusual fruits such as lychee and papaya, cutting them open to see what they look like inside and comparing them to posters that are displayed around the kitchen. Children are encouraged to make healthy choices for their snacks and they always have access to a drink. Children's health is further promoted by stringent food hygiene practices that protect them from cross-contamination of foods. The childminder follows guidelines from her training in food hygiene to ensure that surfaces, appliances and kitchen tools are clean and used appropriately. Children thrive on being physically active. They enjoy regular fresh air and exercise,

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Helping children to be healthy

necessary for their well-being, when walking to and from school. They take part in many activities that promote their physical skills, such as active sports in the park and using climbing apparatus in the garden. Their fine motor control is actively encouraged through routines and activities. They manage to use cutlery well and operate small toys effectively, such as diggers and remote control cars. Children rest whenever they are tired, either in a cot if appropriate or curling up on the sofa with individual bedding and favourite toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children display an excellent understanding of how to keep safe because they are encouraged from an early age to take responsibility for their own safety. They actively contribute to safety routines. Each time they go out they discuss together what items

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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 they need in order to keep them safe, using pictorial lists displayed near the front door. Children show a mature understanding of the various safety measures around the house. They know that the safety tape used on the stair carpet is to prevent them from tripping on loose edges. Children understand how to protect themselves in the event of a fire or emergency because the childminder involves them in her policies and procedures. Individual children know what to do in an emergency and excellent use is made of resources, such as 'Fireman Sam' stories to support this. Children use a vast range of well-maintained toys and equipment, all of which are stored safely and accessed easily. Small or hazardous items, such as dice and paints, are accessed under supervision so that that do not pose any risk to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children move around the different play areas safely as very careful consideration has been given to arranging facilities and resources. Younger children can safely dig, or explore suitably-sized climbing equipment in the garden located in a secure fenced area, whilst older children use more challenging equipment in a separate area. Children's welfare and safety is promoted by comprehensive policies and documents that include highly effective child protection procedures and risk assessments. The child protection policy shows a strong regard for children's welfare and meets the guidelines of the Local Safeguarding Children Board. The risk assessments ensure high levels of safety, both inside and outside the home, are maintained.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children flourish as they have many stimulating experiences that promote all aspects of their learning and development. They gain new skills and knowledge as spontaneous opportunities are seized to extend their learning. For example, they recall enthusiastically how they search for snails as they walk home from nursery in the rain, and describe their features with clarity. They show great interest in wild life and the natural world by comparing wild flowers to pictures in a book and observe temperature and rainfall in the garden. Children confidently ask questions during the course of their play and receive excellent support from the childminder to challenge and extend their understanding. Children independently access their toys and resources because they are so well-organised, displayed and labelled. They confidently and safely access resources in the bathroom and kitchen that enable them to be independent in their care

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

routines. Children explore from a vast range of toys, books and games in the play room. They concentrate well whilst playing board games and show initiative by adapting the game to their own ideas. Children are thoroughly absorbed in their play. They eagerly play with their favourite diggers and machines and extend their understanding of how they work by looking at supporting books and videos with the childminder. Children's confidence and self-esteem are skilfully nurtured. They take immense pride in sharing a photo album showing themselves taking part in all kinds of stimulating activities and recall their activities with great clarity. They enjoy outings to the park to play cricket and football, and baking bread and planting beans at home. Children feel very secure and have their individual needs met as routines are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 adapted accordingly. The childminder shows great sensitivity and understanding of their needs and preferences to ensure that activities and routines are fulfilling. For example, children have opportunities to be active, rest and eat at times that suit their needs and their own interests are considered when activities are planned.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's contributions are highly valued as they play a lead role in planning and organising activities and routines. They share responsibility and make decisions about their care. For example, children select the required plates and cutlery for meal times from accessible drawers and arrange them on the table. They learn responsible behaviour by working positively with the childminder. They discuss together what they will need when they go out by using a pictorial checklist to decide if they need an umbrella, boots or sun hat. Children thrive on praise and clearly understand boundaries for their behaviour. An effective behaviour policy and house rules support children's understanding of respect, kindness and safe play. Children are highly respected as individuals. They quickly settle in to the setting and make positive relationships with the childminder and her family. Children feel a

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Helping children make a positive contribution

secure sense of belonging as they enjoy fruitful induction visits with their parents. They are invited to have lunch and plant their very own flower seeds in the garden so that they are inspired to return to see how they have grown on their next visit. Children gain a keen understanding of the wider world through imaginative resources and activities. They use an extensive range of multicultural artefacts and dressing-up clothes in their play, and books and play figures that promote diversity. Children's awareness of diversity is further developed through practical first-hand experiences. They make special outings to Asian or Italian food shops in the local community to explore the different types of food available. Children who have learning difficulties or disabilities are welcomed to the setting. The childminder has attended training in speech and language disorders and autism. There are comprehensive procedures in place to ensure their needs are discussed

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and progress monitored and promoted. Children benefit from a strong partnership with parents and carers. Parents are kept extremely well informed about the provision. Policies are shared with them and they are kept up-to-date about their children's care and progress through delightful daily diaries.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's care is significantly enhanced by exceptional organisation. The childminder has developed substantial policies, documents and records that support her very good childcare practice. She is meticulous in her record keeping and ensures her records are purposeful and effective. She keeps detailed records and observations of children's progress, thus ensuring children are fully supported in

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 reaching their potential. Children benefit from the childminder's dynamic and innovative approach. She strives to improve and develop her practice through attending training and extending her already extensive bank of supporting information. She has to date completed training in first aid, introduction to childminding practice, basic food hygiene and healthy eating, and has used this to develop highly effective procedures and practice. She has a high regard for developments in early years and successfully follows an approach in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework and the Foundation Stage curriculum. She makes good use of support provided through the National Childminding Association buddy scheme. Children flourish in a setting where there is exceptional organisation of space and

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Organisation

resources. They use a wonderfully inviting play room that is extremely well-equipped and cosy. All areas of the home and garden that are used for childminding have children in mind so opportunities to promote their care, learning and development are maximised. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable. This is the provider's first inspection since registration.

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Complaints 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. There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and

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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 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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