Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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149234 Unique Reference Number 27 July 2006 Inspection date Suman Willis Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 has been registered since 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and nine years. They live in a residential part of town within walking distance of shops, park and schools. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. Children are walked to and from school. The childminder takes children to the library, toddler group and the local park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children under the age of eight years, and currently cares for three children on a full and part-time basis. She is an active member of the National Childminding Association and has completed Hertfordshire's Quality Standards training.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has two dogs, two guinea pigs, four cats and two rabbits. She also has cold water fish in a tank in the kitchen and in a pond in the garden. Tropical fish are kept in tanks in the living room.

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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 satisfactory. Children are involved in a wide range of physical activities and their physical development is promoted because the childminder provides opportunities for children to have regular fresh air as they walk to and from school. They also have access to a well-resourced garden which enables them to practice their jumping and climbing skills. Children are regularly taken to the fields close by and enjoy playing ball games. They develop their small manipulative skills well as they build with bricks, carry out creative activities and play with play dough.

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Helping children to be healthy

Appropriate procedures are in place to ensure children stay healthy. For example permission to administer emergency aid and medication is included in the contract of agreement. The childminder also ensures that children's health needs are maintained at all times because children's health details and a travel first aid kit are taken on outings. Children learn about simple hygiene practices as they wash hands after toileting, and before and after meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished because the childminder provides healthy snacks such as cheese slices, pieces of apple and grapes. Children bring packed lunches, and parents work well with the childminder to ensure that they are healthy. They eat well balanced meals such as meat and vegetables or pasta. Children's individual dietary needs are met because of the information provided by parents about any allergies and specific dietary needs. Children sleep and rest according to their needs.

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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 warm and welcoming home. Their work is proudly displayed around the dining room along with a range of children's posters. They independently access a wide range of well maintained age appropriate resources.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children generally play in a safe environment and the childminder uses her observational skills to ensure that children remain safe. However, certain areas around the garden where children may be at risk have not been identified. For example, children have free access to a trampoline and there is a gap in the fencing surrounding the fish pond; therefore, risk assessments are not used effectively to protect children. Appropriate procedures, such as cupboard locks and a stair gate are in place, thus maintaining their safety when playing indoors. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder reminds children about safety boundaries such as not using the water gun in the house or jumping on settees. They learn about road safety and confidently explain the procedures that they follow when walking to and from school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures.

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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 confident and develop self-esteem as the childminder speaks proudly of their achievements and offers lots of praise. They independently access their resources and are interested in what they do. For example, they concentrate well as they individually create their construction using 'duplo' bricks. They are excited as they show their finished work and proudly share what they have created such as a bus and an animal tower.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children receive appropriate support as the childminder uses her observational skills to intervene and guide when appropriate, such as distracting children by showing them photographs of themselves carrying out various activities. They enjoy sharing the photographs and extend the group time by asking if they can have a story. They enjoy listening to the 'roaring lion' story and join in enthusiastically by making roaring noises. Children acquire new knowledge and skills as they engage in a variety of interesting activities such as cooking pizzas and cakes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They have developed a good relationship with the childminder, and confidently ask for cuddles as they are being read to. All children play well together and have developed a positive relationship with their peers and other adults. They have a good understanding of what is right and wrong because the childminder constantly re-enforces the importance of sharing and taking turns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very settled and play well together. Minded children approach the childminder's children with ease for support, such as ideas for building with 'duplo' bricks. They enjoy being read to by the childminder's children and join in enthusiastically. Consequently all children feel a strong sense of belonging. Children are becoming increasingly aware of their local community as they walk to and from school, visit the local library and toddler groups. They are developing a good understanding of the wider world as they engage in creative art and craft work such as making zodiac sign pictures. Children also have access to a good range of resources which promote positive images. For example they use play people with ease and talk about their differences, and they have access to a play house with miniature furniture.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children understand responsible behaviour and are reminded to put away toys before taking out different ones. They have developed a very good relationship with the childminder and her children and all work harmoniously together. Children are polite and know when to say 'please' and 'thank you', such as when given bowls of snacks. A strong partnership between the childminder and parents ensures that parents are fully involved in their children's care and the progress their children are making.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well protected and cared for by a childminder who has a good understanding of child development. She is keen to update her skills, and therefore has a high regard for their

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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 well-being. Children benefit from her organisational skills which enable them to participate in a wide range of interesting and age appropriate activities thus enabling them to reach their full potential. The childminder has developed a comprehensive range of policies and procedures and shares these with parents to ensure that they are positively involved in their children's care.

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Organisation

Therefore, the childminder positively contributes to children's health, enjoyment and achievement and ability to take an active part in the setting.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

During the last inspection the childminder was asked to: review procedures for obtaining additional parental consent, review procedures for obtaining required documentation and recording relevant information and ensure that the certificate of registration is displayed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's safety and their good health is now enhanced because the childminder reviews her procedures and obtains additional parents consent such as outings and taking photographs of the children. All documents recording relevant information to ensure children can make a positive contribution are now in place. The childminder displays her registration certificate thus ensuring visitors know that she is registered childminder and works within her condition of registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted have received one complaint that raised concerns relating to Standard 1: Suitable Person and Standard 2: Organisation. The complaint related to the numbers of children being minded.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Evidence was found to substantiate a breach of the Standards and an action was set to

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Complaints since the last inspection

ensure that all records are maintained accurately and are up to date at all times (this refers to the attendance register and contracts). In addition a recommendation was set to ensure that the certificate of registration is displayed. A satisfactory response has been received to the actions set and the provider remains qualified for 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.

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Complaints 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

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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): • ensure that children can play safely outside.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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