Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY292375 Inspection date 12 May 2005 Inspector Siobhan O'Callaghan

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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 was registered in September 2004. She lives with her three children aged 7 1/2 years, 6 years and a 1 year old. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 3 children at any one time, she is currently minding one child aged 2 1/2 years. He is cared for on a full-time basis, part of this arrangement is to take the child to and from nursery on three mornings per week. The childminder attends local toddler groups on the days her

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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 minded child is not at nursery. The family have two pet dogs. The childminder is due to become a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health and personal hygiene is promoted effectively through daily routines. Each day there are opportunities to play in the garden, walk the family pets and take trips to the local parks. Hence being outside is a very important aspect of children's daily experiences. Children enjoy practicing their larger physical skills, such as playing football in the garden and riding age appropriate wheeled resources. Children learn that washing their hands before eating, and taking care when handling the family pets, are essential good hygiene practices encouraged during their day. Effective hygiene procedures around nappy changing and the preparation of food supports children's awareness and understanding of these healthy issues. Children's toys are cleaned regularly, often with the children's support, a current pastime is washing the large toys within the garden. Children enjoy wholesome snacks such as fruit and chopped vegetables. Raisins are

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Helping children to be healthy

a particular favourite at the moment, however the childminder encourages the children to experiment with different tastes. Children are offered regular drinks, particularly in the warmer weather. Working in partnership with parents to meet children's dietary requirements ensures they have balanced and nutritional meals.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming home, where their personal independence is fully promoted. They have satisfactory space to play, eat and rest comfortably. Children are confident to access a broad range of age appropriate resources, and do so with enthusiasm. Toys and equipment available were clean and in good repair. Children's resources are rotated regularly to ensure they have access to a wide choice and that they offer new challenges. This was apparent on inspection, the minded child was presented with a new game involving his favourite character "Bob the Builder", he was very excited to explore how this worked and was keen to share his knowledge of all the characters. Children's personal safety is seen as paramount, there are good procedures and safety devices in place to protect children, however there are some aspects within the home and garden that require further attention. The childminder has a sound

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

understanding of safe guarding children, she has attended child protection training and is currently on first aid training. She has adequate records in place to protect children, and to keep their parents informed of any significant events that should

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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 arise whilst their child is within her care. Good procedures for outings and ensuring children travel safely within the outside environment are in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are fully discussed and assessed with parents, prior to childminding arrangements commencing. The current minded child has settled very quickly within in his new environment. He presented to be happy and content, interacting confidently with the childminder and responsive to her requests to play. Daily routines offer a good balance of activities including free play, trips out within the local environment, and to toddler groups, as well as opportunities to have 1:1 support through cooking and creative activities. Resources available interested the minded child, thus he was fully focussed within his play. He accessed a wide range of resources independently and thus choose items that appealed to him. The minded child was keen to talk and share stories about the "Little red Train", he was excited to explore new resources presented to him, rising to this challenge.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Positive relationships with the minded child are developing, this was apparent through the quality of interaction displayed. The childminder showed a keen interest in the child's progress especially with his developing language skills. The minded child was very co-operative, he is learning good manners such as please and thank you and the huge task of being able to share.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides resources to encourage children to explore all aspects of gender. However there is a limited range of resources to promote diversity and children's understanding of people within the wider community. The childminder acknowledged that this is an area that she could develop and improve on. The childminder endeavours to work in close partnership with parents, to ensure their children's individual needs are being maintained. The minded child has benefited from discussions around his dietary needs, and the result is that he is now eating a more varied diet. (more fruit and vegetables) The sharing of information is currently on an informal daily basis. Children are clearly valued and respected, the minded child was secure, confident and happy within his environment. No challenging behaviour was observed, however the childminder has many positive strategies to deal with difficult situations. She has

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Helping children make a positive contribution

a good understanding of how to manage children's behaviour in a sensitive and effective way.

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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 Children enjoy being independent within their environment, which in turn boosts their self-esteem. They are able to access a full range of resources with developing confidence. Older children can utilise the cloakroom and wash their hands when required. At present there is no designated area to provide minded children with undisturbed sleep during the day, hence the current minded child sleeps within his buggy, this arrangement has been agreed with his parents. The childminder hopes to offer alternative arrangements within the near future. The childminder has developed her knowledge and skills of child care issues through regulatory training. This has developed her confidence particularly within the area of child Protection. She is aware of all required documentation to be maintained and is

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Organisation

currently keeping satisfactory records. Her National Childminding Association Membership is due to commence, and will thus improve the quality of the records available, both to herself and the children's parents. Overall the provision meets the needs of all the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the childminder's first inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report, this is the childminder's first inspection 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 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): • improve safety within the environment by ensuring that potential hazards to children are minimised. This refers to the accessible store cupboard, the free standing mirror in the living room and the building materials within the garden. • improve play materials to reflect diversity, such as books and puzzles which show positive images of people from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds

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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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