Childminder in HertfordshireOfsted inspection, 18 Jul 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY298450 Inspection date 18 July 2005 Inspector Christine Pettitt

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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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 6 years and 15 months. They live in the Hemel Hempstead area, close to the town centre, local parks and schools. The home is a three bedroomed house. All areas of the home are used for childminding. On the ground floor children mainly use the dining room and lounge. There are bedrooms for children to sleep and play, and the bathroom is on the first floor. There is a secure garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time. She currently childminds, at various times, four children. Some children attend after school. The

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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 childminder walks the children to local parks. She attends toddler and library groups with the children. The childminder is a member of the NCMA.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed into a friendly, caring atmosphere. The home is hygienic and well maintained. Children are learning effective hygiene practice and personal care. They routinely wash their hands after using the toilet, before meals, and after creative and garden play. They clean their teeth after meals. Children also learn through observing the childminder's conscientious hygiene practice when preparing food, changing nappies, cleaning toys and her general care of the home. There is a hygiene policy. Children are learning what constitutes a healthy diet. They enjoy healthy snacks and nutritious meals. Children help to prepare ice cream and cookies for their snack times. The children have these and fruit for snacks. Fruit and vegetables are an important part of the children's diet. Children enjoy fresh home cooked meals, lunch is usually a cooked meal. Meal times are social occasions, when children eat

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Helping children to be healthy

together. Drinks, usually water, are available for children to access independently. The childminder is aware of dietary requirements and food allergies. Children's health is monitored by the childminder and parents are advised if their child becomes unwell. There is a written sickness policy which indicates how illness issues are managed. Accident and medication records are completed. The childminder has first aid resources to use in the event of an accident and has a current first aid certificate. There is a health policy. Children enjoy physical activity in the garden, in parks and on walks. They use park and garden play equipment which enable them to acquire and improve their physical skills. For example, in the garden they are able to climb stairs up to a wooden play house, use steps on the slide and pedal wheeled toys. Children exercise on a daily basis, and walk to toddler groups and parks. Children use shape sorters and puzzles

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Helping children to be healthy

and are becoming competent in these. These encourage their fine, manipulative skills. Children have quiet times or a sleep according to their individual needs. This contributes to the well being of the child.

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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 safe, secure, caring and supportive environment. In the home safety precautions are in place and risks are minimised. For example, stair gates are in place, socket covers used, and hazardous materials are inaccessible to children. Children independently select activities from a range of toys situated at a safe, low level. The play resources meet safety standards and are appropriate for the ages of the children attending. In the garden a bark area is provided, under the play

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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 house and the swing, to provide a soft landing. There is a written safety policy which includes a collection procedure. Children are supervised well and are gradually learning how to keep themselves safe. They observe and learn effective safety practice in the home. They enjoy walking to the toddler group, using roads and walking along by the canal to get there. During the walk, children routinely learn how to cross roads safely and the dangers of water, through the childminder making children aware. Children are taught how to use park equipment safely. Children's welfare is promoted by the childminder having some understanding of the signs which may indicate concerns about a child. The childminder has relevant contact details and procedures and is aware of her responsibility.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a variety of stimulating play experiences and outings. The routine includes free play, garden play, creative activities, stories, music, cooking, visits to toddler groups, library and walks to the park. The children are extremely happy and relaxed in the childminder's home. Children respond affectionately to the constant, warm interaction from the childminder. Children are becoming more confident and are interested in the environment, and ask the childminder frequent questions. For example, a child was highly interested in two men working in the front garden. He was taken, on a few occasions during the morning, to see what they were doing and encouraged to talk about what he saw. Children are challenged through the childminder asking questions to assess their understanding. For example, when reading a book to a child he was asked to demonstrate to the childminder how he

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

could bend, wave, kick and crawl. Looking at another book he was asked, and was able to answer, the question as to what might be seen in water. This encourages the children's language skills and their understanding of the environment. Children move confidently around the home and enthusiastically choose their preferred activities during free play. They independently and enthusiastically access the broad selection of play equipment. These provide varying types of play and promote different skills and aspects of learning. Young children are gradually sustaining interest and concentration. They are in the early stages of recognising colours, shapes and repeating numbers, and are becoming competent at completing puzzles and using shape sorters. Children of all ages enjoy learning to speak a different language. This is through music, books, childminder interaction and encouragement. Children have the opportunity to learn on an individual basis. For

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

example, a post box contains a letter for each child when they arrive. The letters contain a picture to recognise, or words to recognise according to each child's level of learning. Children benefit highly through the childminder purposefully using activities, every day occurrences and outings to further their developmental progress and skills. Older children attending after school enjoy a relaxed, pleasant, friendly atmosphere. Children can choose their preferred activity and appropriate resources are available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Individual needs are catered for, a child likes to make something every day to give to her mother when she is collected. Two children attending are bi-lingual and converse with the childminder in their first language. This contributes to children retaining their first language.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very happy and relaxed in a caring environment. Children are gaining confidence and self esteem through the childminder's approach, she shows they are valued and respected. Children are listened to, their cultures recognised and their paintings are displayed. Children are becoming socially confident through visits to toddler groups and relate well to other children. Children are helpful, they help to tidy toys away, lay the table for lunch and take their used plates into the kitchen. They are sharing well and learning to be kind to each other. For example, a child took another child's snack to her. An older child initiated a game of rolling a ball to the toddler present. There is a behaviour management policy. Children mostly behave well. This is because of their effective relationships with the childminder. They respond to her with affection and approach her frequently to ask questions or to tell her what they are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

doing. Children receive abundant praise and encouragement. Children are aware of boundaries and receive explanations as to why behaviour is unacceptable. Effective behaviour management practice is in place. If a child's behaviour deteriorates, discussions with parents take place. They work together to devise procedures to encourage acceptable behaviour. This provides consistency of care for children. Children are supported well in the childminding arrangement through the effective communication the childminder has with parents. There is a written policy regarding partnership with parents, and a portfolio to show new parents. This contains policies relating to most of the standards, references and certificates. Prior to starting the childminding, parents also receive written information of some aspects of the childminding arrangements. Children settle in to the arrangements gradually. Children's proposed and accomplished activities are relayed to parents in the verbal

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Helping children make a positive contribution

feedback given, when children are collected. There are no written details of the child's day provided. Children's individual characters, needs and cultures are recognised and met effectively. Children who are bi-lingual use their first language to converse whilst at the childminder's. A child moving to another country in September enjoys learning a new language and is being prepared for the move with input from the childminder. For example, talking about what the child will take with him when he moves. Children are made aware of other cultures through books, puppets, videos, food and discussion.

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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 childminder is well organised. This ensures efficient and safe management of the provision and promotes the welfare of the children. Children play safely in the home, the play space is organised to maximise floor space for children to play. Children's stages of development are recognised and individual needs provided for in the provision of play resources and activities. The childminder uses 'Birth to Three Matters', and the NCMA handbook for the 'Introduction to Childminding Practice', to provide appropriate activities. She has also devised a list of suggested activities which incorporates the six areas of learning from the 'Curriculum Guidance'. There are records of events in a diary, but no records of activities completed or relating to children's development. The required documentation is available, completed and organised. Parents can view

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Organisation

the portfolio, which contains certificates, references, photos, and policy statements under the standards. Parents receive written information of the childminding arrangements and her practice. The childminder is aware of confidentiality issues and keeps documentation secure. Children's well being and developmental progress is supported and encouraged by the professional approach of the childminder. A parent of current children attending has expressed her confidence in the childminder's professional approach towards the care of her children. The childminder has attended the initial childminding practice training and a first aid course. She intends to attend further training. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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):

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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 • extend knowledge and information on child protection issues • enhance and extend information provided for parents

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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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