Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY315673 Inspection date 27 June 2006 Inspector Tina Kelly

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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 lives with her husband and daughter aged 4 years. They live in Welwyn Garden City, within walking distance of local schools and amenities. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. Children do not generally access upstairs except to use the family bathroom. There is a secure garden for outside play. The family has a cat. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). She attends the local toddler and childminder drop-in groups.

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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 cared for in a warm and caring environment. Their individual needs are well met as the childminder keeps good records with regard to their personal care. Children's health is maintained as policies and procedures are regularly reviewed, this ensures children's routines, items needed for personal care and health and hygiene practice is adapted as their needs change. Children's nutritional needs are met as the childminder discusses all aspects of the children's diet with parents. A sample menu and statements around healthy eating options keep parents informed about their children's meals and snacks. Children have various outings planned into their routine for physical exercise. Young children are encouraged to stretch, to roll over and to sit up independently. The childminder walks out to the school each day, babies have opportunity for fresh air and the older children may be taken to the park to experience the swings and

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Helping children to be healthy

climbing apparatus to develop their balance and physical skills. Children's well-being is monitored as the childminder has good documentation in place and has regular discussions with parents about their individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a secure environment. The childminder is aware of potential hazards and has appropriate measures in place to maintain the children's safety in the home. The garden is well managed, the childminder has taken actions with regard to plants and bushes to ensure the children have a safe area in which to play. Children have free access to a good range of quality resources, these are stored appropriately, at low level so children can develop their play freely. Children are taken out into the local community and on outings as a regular part of the week's plans. Parents are kept informed about the safety aspects as they are requested to complete permission slips so they are fully aware of the activities and events planned for their children. Children's well-being is monitored and maintained as the childminder keeps appropriate records with regard to accidents and incidents. She has a sound

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

understanding of child protection issues and has the relevant leaflets and contact numbers in line with the Local Safeguarding Children's Board (LSCB). The information is readily available to ensure the children's welfare is safeguarded at all times.

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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 have opportunities to access a wide and interesting range of play and learning opportunities, both in the home, the garden and the community. Young children are taken out to toddler groups where they can meet with other children and develop their social skills in a sensitive environment. The children's daily routine is planned around the walks to school and the younger children's routines. Young children are well supported by their carer who provides consistent verbal and physical contact. She interacts with the children, extending their physical skills as they learn to pull themselves up, to sit independently and to roll over to reach toys. Young children's achievements are praised, their language and conversational skills are promoted as the childminder chats and talks to the children as they play. The childminder has identified various aspects of the children's growing skills as she has

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

a sound understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are respected and valued within the setting. The childminder is aware of their individual characters, activities and routines are adapted to ensure all children have equal opportunity to take part. Children are taken out each day and are learning about their local community. They are learning about the wider world as they have many opportunities to use books and puzzles that reflect other cultures and to take part in craft activities that have been adapted from other countries. Children are encouraged to share their ideas, they are learning to share and to take turns. The childminder has attended a behaviour management course and has developed a range of strategies to ensure children are aware of their boundaries. There is a behaviour management statement available for parents in the portfolio. A good relationship is developing between the childminder and the families that she

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Helping children make a positive contribution

cares for, she shares information about young children's routines through a diary system. Having cared for older school age children on a temporary basis she has put together their art work and is to make sure they receive the cards and pictures as a reminder of their time in her care. Parents are well informed about the service that the childminder offers, her routines, activities offered to the children and policies and procedures for the health and safety of the children as there is a comprehensive portfolio in place.

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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 The organisation is good. The childminder currently organises her week around the part time care of a young child. She adapts the day's activities and outings to ensure children have opportunities to rest and to play. The documents and records for the childminding arrangements and the business detail is well kept The childminder has all the regulation documents in place as she uses the NCMA toolkit, she has the required documents on display. A well defined set of folders hold the parents portfolio, training certificates, the children's contracts and an in depth summary of the 'Birth to three matters' framework with comments and ideas that are developing around the baby she currently cares for. The childminder is involved with the local NCMA network, she gets support from the

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Organisation

'Buddy' system and attends the drop-in sessions, sharing information and documents that enhance her childminding practice. Overall, the children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the provider's first inspection.

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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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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): • continue to develop the information for parents with detailed information about the procedures for child protection and the new complaints recording system.

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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 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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