Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY298186 Inspection date 08 March 2006 Inspector Suman Willis

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered in December 2004. She lives with her 2 children aged 9 and 12 years in a residential part of Bushey close to all local amenities. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 4 children under 5, and 3 over 5 before and after school, all attending on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder takes children to the park daily and attends the local

p.2

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 parent/toddler group. The childminder supports children with specific needs.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children participate in a wide range of physical activities which promote their large motor skills. For example they have access to a slide, a climbing frame, and ride on toys when playing in the garden. They enjoy regular fresh air as they walk to and from school. Young children skilfully walk around the room pushing buggies and manipulate large soft balls well as they flatten and roll them. Therefore, children are developing their physical skills. Children's health needs are well monitored. Up to date records of medication administered, accidents and any concerns are shared with parents. The childminder has a sound understanding of first aid and would be able to administer emergency aid should the need arise. Children are developing their understanding of maintaining personal hygiene as the childminder wipes their hands with wet wipes before snacks. The childminder acts as a good role model by regularly washing her own hands and

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

keeping all areas clean, thus ensuring cross infection is minimised. Children are well nourished as they enjoy a variety of well balanced meals. They enjoy eating dried apricots at snack time and help themselves to drinks, therefore developing their independent skills. Children's individual dietary needs are very well catered for because the childminder seeks information from parents and promotes parents' involvement should they wish to provide meals for their children according to their cultural needs.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and secure environment. Children have access to a wide range of age appropriate toys which are well maintained and stored so that they can be easily reached. This enables them to explore and acquire knowledge safely through play. The childminder carries out a thorough risk assessment identifying any areas of concern, which are addressed as they are identified, such as ensuring that the brick fire-place is not easily accessible to children. Therefore, children can move around free from harm. Children remain safe within the house because of the safety procedures the childminder has in place, such as stair gates and cupboard locks. They are developing their knowledge of staying safe as the childminder gives clear explanations and occasionally asks the children to help her across the roads, thus reinforcing their knowledge of road safety.

p.3

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 Children are protected by a childminder who has a secure knowledge of the local child protection procedures.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very settled in the childminder's home. They enjoy participating in a wide range of interesting activities which are well planned to enable all children of varying ages to join in. Children have access to an excellent range of resources which encourages their imagination as they play with cars and building blocks. They engage happily in role play with teddy, cooking with utensils in the pretend kitchen. They benefit from the childminder joining in and extending their learning as she counts and encourages children enthusiastically to repeat the colours and numbers after her. They delight as they guess the correct colour of the building blocks and relish knocking them over. Younger children are developing their knowledge of up and down as they roll the car up the childminder's leg and back. They use their own initiative as they choose their own play materials. They play purposefully with cars on

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the floor and the childminder lays down a car mat, encouraging children to keep cars between the roads, and introduces the concept of left and right. Children are very happy in the childminder's company and relish the praise she offers, which encourages them to achieve. They now feel valued as individuals, therefore they are able to explore and extend their knowledge in an environment where children's needs are given priority.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for by a childminder whose settling in procedure and documents ensure that their individual needs are fully met at all times. They all have equal access to a wide range of resources promoting positive images of people. Children learn about their community as they walk to and from school, visiting shops and a park along the way. They are developing their knowledge of the wider world through toys and activities. For example, they are given opportunities to try foods from around the world. As they engage in role play their knowledge about other cultures is extended by the childminder who provides appropriate dressing up materials such as a traditional dancing skirt from Turkey to enhance their understanding of traditional clothes from other countries. The childminder has a positive approach to working with children with special needs and is keen to develop her knowledge in this area. She understands the importance

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

of liaising with other agencies and sharing information with parents. Children behave responsively because of the calm and friendly atmosphere provided by the childminder. They are given clear instructions and respond well to tidying up before getting out different play materials. Children's development and progress is shared with parents through a communication book, and verbally on a daily basis. This enables the childminder and

p.4

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 to adapt routines to meet the needs of each individual child, thus enabling children to feel secure. Parents are given copies of all required policies and procedures, and an in-depth portfolio ensures that they are fully aware of how the childminder works.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a childminder who has a high regard for children. Her knowledge and understanding of development and how to protect children enables children to reach their full potential, and this could be further enhanced by the childminder extending her knowledge in all areas of childcare. Children benefit from the childminder's organisational skills which enables all children of varying ages to participate in a wide range of activities. Children's individual needs are well met by the in-depth policies and procedures the childminder has implemented and shares with parents, thus keeping them informed of the progress their children are making. Her documentation is well maintained and updated to keep parents informed of any changes in regulations as well as her practice. The provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

There were no recommendations or actions made during the last inspection.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Their 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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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):

p.5

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 • further extend knowledge of child care.

p.5

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

p.6

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

p.6