Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY298977 Inspection date 03 August 2005 Inspector Catherine Greenwood

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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 has been registered since January 2005. She lives with her husband and their one child, aged fourteen months. They live in a terraced house in Earlsfield, close to the main line station and local parks. Most of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a large playroom, kitchen and downstairs cloakroom. On the first floor there is a bathroom and three bedrooms, one of which is used for sleeping purposes only. Children do not have access to the sitting room or the rooms in the loft. There is a fenced, grassed garden available for outside play. The family have no pets.

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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 The childminder is registered to care for three children at any one time and is currently minding one child who attends on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health, for example they make regular use of the garden and go out every afternoon to local parks and playgrounds, where they have the opportunity to run freely and use large equipment. This helps them to develop their physical skills. Children benefit from healthy snacks of raisins, rice cakes and fruit during the day, and have regular drinks from beakers of water which the childminder makes easily accessible within the home. Children's dietary needs are met as a result of the childminder implementing parents' requests about what their child eats, for example, for children who do not eat beef and have mainly organic food. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they are protected from cross infection because the childminder follows good hygiene practice, for example when changing nappies. Children are protected from infection because the childminder

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Helping children to be healthy

washes children's hands before mealtimes and after playing in the garden, and makes clear decisions in consultation with parents about whether she can care for children if they are unwell. The childminder has obtained written parental consent on contracts for children who need occasional medication, for example when they are teething, but has not recorded when medicine is given.

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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 spacious home, where most risks are identified and minimised; for example, as they learn to walk and move around between the rooms, the childminder makes sure that there is nothing dangerous in the home that they can reach. There is a good range of quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards, for example the three wheeled bike has a safety strap. The childminder is observant of what the children are doing and follows them as they move around the home to ensure their safety. She gives careful consideration to her own safety practise, for example by cooking on the back burners so that children cannot access the hot saucepans. Good use of safety gates on the bottom of the stairs and locks on the kitchen cupboards mean children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. However, the windows on the first floor do not have restrictors and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

present a hazard to children. Children are protected from risk of fire, because the childminder has all necessary equipment which is in working order. Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted because the childminder has a current first aid certificate and a good understanding of the child protection procedures; however, she does not have a copy of the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures and

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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 other necessary documentation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well at the childminders home because she spends time giving new children lots of cuddles and reassurance. Younger children are beginning to develop friendships and are learning to play together co-operatively. They show enjoyment and confidence with using the accessible play equipment, for example the musical response toys. Children form positive relationships with the childminder because she gets on the floor, joins in their play, and responds to their individual needs. They show interest in books because the childminder spends time reading stories to them. Children benefit from having access to equipment and activities in the home and the garden, for example, water play, a trampoline and a swing that is attached to one of the trees. However, there is limited imaginative play equipment for children to use and no other accessible resources to develop their senses through handling and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

exploring natural materials. Children's physical development is promoted through regular outings to the local parks and playgrounds but they do not currently have the opportunity to extend their social skills through going to toddler groups or one o'clock clubs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected. Their needs are well met as they follow their normal daily routine, because the childminder tries to interpret and respond to what children need or want; for example, when younger children are not yet able to communicate and they are hungry or point to something they would like to play with. The childminder establishes clear communication with parents, for example, she contacts them during the morning to offer reassurance as to how new children are settling. Children's individual needs are discussed and agreed with parents at the beginning and end of each day. Children are well behaved because the childminder is consistent in the way that she treats her own child and the minded children. She has a good knowledge of effective methods to use when children do start to test the boundaries, so they begin to understand the consequences of their behaviour. Children learn to share the toys

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Helping children make a positive contribution

because the childminder engages in their play to diffuse situations. The childminder provides a range of accessible play equipment and books, but these resources do not actively promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. Chilren's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered.

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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 feel at home and at ease within the well organised environment, for example they show good self confidence when moving freely between the downstairs rooms. They are beginning to develop independence when choosing from the range of well organised and accessible toys in the playroom. Children benefit from the childminders increased knowledge of good practise because she has recently completed the Introduction to Childminding Practice training; for example, the childminder sets up equipment and prepares food in advance, so that she can spend as much time as possible playing with the children. The childminder keeps well organised record-keeping systems which are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children; for example, details of children's individual dietary

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Organisation

needs are clearly recorded. However, the childminder has not recorded medication administration, parental consent for outings, or obtained necessary child protection documentation. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides a service.

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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): • assess the risks to children in relation to the windows on the first floor and take action to minimise these. • improve the range of imaginative play equipment and natural resources, and provide opportunities for children to extend their social skills through outings to one o' clock clubs and toddler groups. • provide a range of accessible resources that reflect positive images of race, culture, gender and disability.

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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 • obtain child protection documentation, written parental consent for children to go on outings, and record all medication administration.

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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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