Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 149467 Inspection date 28 June 2005 Inspector Carol Mansell

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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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1991. She lives with her husband and one child aged 16 years in a village near Royston in Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor 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 three children at any one time, however, she is not minding at the present time.

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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 family have no pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through well organised activities and routines. They wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating their snack, recognising that this aids their well-being. The childminder encourages the children to wash their hands properly by regularly checking them as the children leave the wash facilities. The children are protected from infection because the practitioner is well informed about children's health care matters. However, the childminder's first aid certificate has expired and therefore requires updating. Children enjoy a good range of energetic physical activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They develop self confidence in their physical skills as they use a wide range of indoor and outdoor toys and equipment. Children enjoy being outdoors regardless of the weather and understand that all types of weather are good for

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Helping children to be healthy

them. They are protected from the elements by wearing suitable garments and footwear. They learn to listen to their bodies and are able to rest and be active according to their needs. Children benefit from a healthy diet. They enjoy home cooked meals, which they choose from a menu planner that they have helped to devise. They have an awareness of dietary conditions within their own family and enjoy being involved in cooking activities, where they make things that all members of the family can eat, such as pizza and iced cakes. They confidently choose when they want a drink and help themselves to a healthy snack.

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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 very clean, well maintained environment. The organisation of well maintained toys and equipment means children can move around safely and freely to independently access available resources from boxes and shelves at an appropriate height. Children benefit from being actively involved in the purchasing of new equipment and resources and take great delight in unwrapping them when they arrive. Children do not access the first floor and have a sound knowledge of why this restriction is in place. Children benefit from an effective range of safety measures, for example cupboard locks, fire blanket and a fully secure outdoor play area. They develop a good awareness of safety through practicing emergency evacuations every half term and discussing the reasons for this with the childminder. Sensitive reminders, such as a request to pick up toys from the floor to prevent someone tripping over, increase

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children’s awareness of everyday safety in the setting.

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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 Children are well protected from possible abuse or neglect. The childminder has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow with any concerns. She is aware of the types of abuse and signs to look for and has updated her knowledge by researching information on the internet.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. All children spend their time purposefully. They enjoy exploring a wide range of activities, which contribute to their creativity, such as singing, tent making, building bird boxes, painting, baking and role play. They have access to a wide range of creative materials, such as paint, dough and pencils which encourages them to represent their experiences, feelings and ideas in a variety of ways. Children are encouraged to develop their confidence and self-esteem by having ample opportunities to self choose the activities and resources they can access. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement from the childminder. She shows an interest in what they do and talks with them about what they are doing and why, such as building bird boxes, which included sanding down the boxes, painting and varnishing them. One of these was then put in the childminder's garden and the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

others were taken home. Their self-esteem is enhanced with the samples of their work which the childminder keeps as a resource to show the types of activities she provides for the children. She also uses these to keep parents informed of the activities their children have enjoyed. The childminder provides a flexible routine for the children and enables them to explore unplanned activities, for example taking a walk to the local church yard to look at a very old tree that had fallen down. She also arranged a visit from a policeman to talk to the children about his job, giving opportunities for the children to share their knowledge and build their confidence and self-respect, helping them to recognise the importance of working hard with their studies.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The Children make themselves at home, confidently deciding what to do, helping themselves to drinks and independently visiting the toilet. They have time to relax as well as be active and this ensures their individual needs are being met. Children are valued as individuals. They are developing a positive attitude to others and gain an understanding about their community through visiting a local facility for the elderly. They sing and deliver cakes that they have made for the residents, decorating the cakes with smiley faces to bring a smile to the residents faces. They have access to a selection of play resources which show positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. Children behave well. They are beginning to understand right and wrong through consistent boundaries, praise and the age appropriate methods the childminder uses to manage behaviour including explanation and time out. The childminder works 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 the parents to provide continuity with behaviour management and the children have a clear understanding of what is expected of them. The children are happy to share the activities and the attention of the childminder, acknowledging that others also need to take their turn and have some one-to-one attention.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at home and at ease in the child friendly environment. The space, resources and flexible routine help to encourage the children’s competency and independence. Children are happy and confident when initiating their own play and exploring the setting; they seek adult support when needed. The childminder effectively uses the policies and procedures to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. She shares them with parents to keep them informed about the service provided and their child's participation with the activities. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care. Most records and documentation is in place to provide an organised and safe environment for children with the exception of consent from parents for the childminder to use photographic evidence as a resource and an up-to-date first aid certificate.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved the children’s safety and well-being. She has ensured all records required within the National Standards are in place and that these include parent’s signatures and consents, for example records of medication, accidents, and records of attendance. The childminder has also obtained public liability insurance and has an incident record in place although she is not minding at present. She has downloaded information from the internet regarding Child Protection procedures and has a comprehensive file regarding this subject. She is able to demonstrate that not only is the information on file but that she knows what the procedures are, the types of abuse she would need to be aware of and what signs and/or symptoms she would be looking for. She has procedures in place for emergency evacuation which had been practiced with the children when she was minding, she has also put up emergency exit signs in the house to show children the

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Improvements since the last inspection

safest routes to evacuate the building. She has made the low level glass safe therefore ensuring the children's safety and well-being is maintained. The childminder has extended her resources to meet equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices and has used the local elderly facility to enhance the children's appreciation and understanding of the needs and disabilities of others. She has reviewed and extended the information given to parents regarding the activities she provides for the children and when she is minding again will reassess the information she has from parents regularly to ensure she is aware of any issues and can therefore offer an appropriate service to the parents and children. These improvements to the provision for the children help their understanding of diversity and protect their wellbeing.

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Improvements 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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1st April 2004 there have been no complaints against this provider.

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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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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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): • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • make sure all written parental consents have been obtained and that all the required documentation is in place prior to childminding commencing

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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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