Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY315322 Inspection date 21 July 2006 Inspector Cheryl Langley

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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 registered in November 2005. She lives with her husband and 2-year-old child in a house in Waltham Cross. All of the property is used for childminding and there is an outside garden for play. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child. The family have pet fish. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROVISION

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 learn the advantages of good hygiene and personal care. They are looked after in a welcoming, clean home. Children understand the importance of regular cleaning routines to keep them healthy. They wash their hands after playing in the garden or using the toilet and before they eat. Children learn about keeping their bodies healthy through discussion and a broad range of interesting books. Thorough policies, procedures and parental consents are in place to support the health care of the children and enable the childminder to act in their best interests if they require medical attention. Children enjoy activities which contribute to their health and develop their physical skills. They play in the garden and visit local parks regularly to benefit from the fresh air. Children use both large and small equipment to balance and co-ordinate their bodies. For example, they have fun with activity toys, they push, pull, press and turn

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Helping children to be healthy

levers, knobs and buttons. Children enthusiastically shake and bang musical instruments and build with connecting bricks. They learn to control balls, they throw, catch and kick them in the garden. Children move the sit-on rides along and gain confidence climbing the large play equipment in the park. Children are beginning to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They have access to drinking water throughout the day and eat fresh fruit and vegetables. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and works with them to make sure the children have a nutritious diet that appeal's to them as well as meeting their dietary needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is a priority. They are cared for in a home where risks are identified and minimised. Children move around freely and independently and engage in different types of play safely. They learn about protecting themselves and staying free from harm. For example, children adhere to house rules, such as not climbing the furniture and to be aware of slippery surfaces when the floor is cleaned so that they do not fall and hurt themselves. The childminder helps children understand safe practices with interesting books, discussion and setting a good example. Children practise codes for crossing the road safely and take turns on large play equipment so they do not harm others. An emergency escape plan has been devised to protect the children in the event of a fire. The childminder has most of the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's safety and welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

has a good understanding of child protection issues. The relevant information is kept to hand if she needs to report any concerns. However, parental consent to transport the children in a vehicle has been given verbally by parents but not in writing.

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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 enjoy a broad variety of exciting play and activities which are child led or planned and organised by the childminder. They receive adult guidance to give them extra support if needed and their independence is promoted. For example, children are given responsibilities, such as watering the plants. The childminder is attentive and affectionate, joining in with the children's play and talking and listening to them to extend their play and thinking. This gives them a sense of belonging and makes them feel confident and relaxed to try different experiences and rise to challenges. Children develop their knowledge and skills. For example, they learn to recognise the different colours of crayons. Children count in sequence and use mathematical language during simple nursery rhymes and songs. They enjoy singing "The Grand Old Duke of York" and marching 'up' and 'down'. Language and communication skills

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

are developed by sharing books, singing songs and talking and listening to the childminder, visiting the library to listen to stories and changing books is a favourite activity. Children match and sequence pictures using jigsaws and puzzles. Regular use of different materials such as pencils and crayons helps them with pencil control and enables them to express their ideas. They draw and colour different pictures to share with their parents. Children explore sand and water using various vessels and tools. They represent their feelings and experiences using musical instruments, dancing and singing. Children have great fun joining in the actions and sing along to "The Hokey Cokey", putting their right arm and left arm in correctly.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected. The childminder compliments them and praises them for their achievements. They are beginning to understand right and wrong through consistent boundaries and the age appropriate methods used to manage behaviour. Children behave well and are learning about the needs of others, such as being considerate, polite, sharing and taking turns. However, the range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world are limited. The childminder provides opportunities for the children to socialise which helps them make positive relationships. Realistic challenges are set to help the children develop. This promotes their confidence and self-esteem. They feel secure and able to make independent choices about what they want to do. Children benefit from a strong partnership between the childminder and parents who exchange information frequently. Their individual needs are met as they follow their

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Helping children make a positive contribution

daily routine which is established with parents. They have daily discussions and review contracts, policies and procedures regularly. The childminder shares information about the achievements and routines of the children. This helps keep parents well informed of how their child's needs are being met and their developmental progress. The childminder values feedback from parents to support her provision and has received positive and complimentary comments. Most of the required policies and procedures are in place to underpin the good relationship with

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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 parents. However, the complaints procedure has not been updated to include a system to record or share appropriate action regarding a complaint to make sure parents’ concerns are respected and acknowledged and the children’s welfare fully monitored.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Documentation is stored securely and information shared appropriately with parents. Most of the required policies and procedures are in place to help keep children healthy and safeguard their welfare. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge and experience. She has a Level 3 Certificate in Childminding Practice and a current first aid qualification. The children's needs are met through effective organisation and communication with parents. Space and equipment is prepared so that children can access resources easily and independently. This enables them to make choices about their play. A balance of child led and organised activities ensures the children have a range of different enjoyable experiences whilst they are with the childminder. They benefit from routines which make them feel secure and relaxed. Children play, eat, sleep and rest as they need to. Overall, the needs of the children are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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

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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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • request written permission from parents for their children to be transported in a vehicle • provide play materials which reflect diversity which show positive images of boys, girls, men and women from a variety of cultural backgrounds and with varying needs • devise a system to record or share appropriate action regarding a complaint, to acknowledge and respect parents concerns and monitor the children's welfare.

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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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