Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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149447 Unique Reference Number 25 July 2007 Inspection date Gyatri Rupal Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 1995. She lives with her husband and two sons in Baldock, Hertfordshire. Two rooms on the ground floor of the childminder’s house are used for childminding. There is a pond in the garden which is securely fenced off. The childminder takes children to the local park and parents and toddlers group. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five. She attends the local childminding group. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, warm and safe environment. They are protected from infection and are well taken care of, as the childminder encourages children to wash hands after going to the toilet and before eating. Children understand about the risk of cross-contamination as the childminder reminds them to cover their mouth when coughing. Good hygiene practices are in place, such as the use of paper towels in the toilet and anti-bacterial hand wash. Children

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 generally benefit from a healthy diet as the childminder offers healthy meals and snacks if required by parents. Parents' wishes are respected regarding the children's dietary needs. Children's sleeping needs are discussed with parents and parents' consent is obtained for children to sleep in the pushchair.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their physical skills through a range of outdoor activities and experiences, such as daily walks and visits to local parks where there is space to run and play games. Children use a range of manipulative materials inside the home, such as play dough. They develop their hand -coordination skills as they thread cotton bobbins. Children’s well-being is well promoted as the childminder ensures that the required documents and procedures are in place to enable the childminder to act in children's best interests if they need medical attention. For example, she has all the required parents' consents in place and has updated her first aid certificate so that she can give appropriate first aid to children when necessary. Information is shared appropriately with parents to provide consistency in their children's health care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are happy in a safe and secure environment as the childminder carries out a daily visual risk to minimize hazards, to ensure both inside and outside environment is safe for children. For example, the pond area is securely fenced off. The electric sockets are covered with child safety covers. In addition, children are also explained about the clear boundaries and safety rules in the childminder's home they have to obey to keep themselves safe. The childminder ensures the children have access to suitable play resources and equipment which is appropriate to children's understanding level. Children are learning to keep themselves safe through discussions with the childminder. For example, children understand how to cross the road safely as they tell the inspector they must look for traffic and hold hands with the childminder before crossing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is fully safeguarded as the childminder has a clear understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. The childminder has attended a suitable training course to develop her understanding in this area. There is also a clear procedure in place to obtain parents' consent for emergency childminding cover.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are supported well by the childminder while she provides a range of challenging experiences for them. She is using the 'Birth to three matters' framework when planning activities for younger children. The activities are varied and appropriate to the children's development. This enables children to move forward and to progress. Children gain self-esteem as their opinions are valued when they respond to the childminder's questions on which activity they would like to undertake. They develop their confidence as they create pictures and read their favourite books to the childminder. They confidently count numbers and talk about different colours when threading cotton reels in the string to make their necklace. Older children help younger children with their play. Children learn to take turns when reading books and playing games. Children develop good imaginative play ideas when playing with a doll house.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children become confident speakers and communicate their ideas well because the childminder listens to them, questions them and encourages them to talk about their interests. For example, children talk about all different people standing in the big queue waiting for their turn to have

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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 a ride on the truck. The childminder asked children 'how they can help the man in the wheelchair to sit in the truck for his turn'. Children acquire new knowledge and skills as they learn about the world around them through their regular visits to local places of interests, such as visits to the local parks, farms and feeding ducks. Their regular use of a wide range of creative materials encourages them to represent their experiences, feelings and ideas in a variety of ways.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued, respected as individuals and treated with equal concern because the childminder has a good understanding of equality issues. She works closely with the parents to ensure children's needs are well met. Children learn about the wider community through planned activities, outings to local places of interest and play resources reflecting positive images of gender and disability and diversity. Children behave well as they understand clear boundaries set by the childminder which they always adhere to. They show care and concern for each other and play together in harmony.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop their sense of belonging as they have good rapport with the childminder. Their work is valued and displayed in the childminder’s home and in their individual folders. Children are confident to ask the childminder for help and the toys they want to play with. Children’s understanding of right and wrong is increased as they respond to gentle reminders to care for their environment, play resources and each other. They are encouraged to help tidy-up their toys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership the childminder has established with the parents, which contributes significantly to the children’s well-being in the setting. The parent’s views about their children’s needs and interests are actively sought before children start at the setting. The childminder provides written information to parents about her practice which also include explanations of her policies and procedures. However, parents are not informed about updated complaint procedure. The childminder ensures all parental written consents are in place which impact positively on children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel relaxed and at ease with the childminder as they feel comfortable approaching the childminder. They benefit from the childminder's qualifications and experience of caring for children. The childminder is committed to continual improvement to enhance her childcare knowledge through attending training and workshops. Recently she has attended the 'Birth to three matters' framework training and uses the framework well to develop younger children’s learning. There are a number of policies and procedures in place to ensure children are well cared for; these cover aspects of childminder’s practice and generally these are reviewed and updated, although the attendance register is not always maintained accurately.

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Organisation

The childminder ensures parents are kept well informed of their children’s progress and daily activities through written feedback and daily discussions. This helps children's continuity of consistent care. The parents who came to collect their children have given positive feedback to the inspector about the childminder’s care. Children are well protected as the childminder supervises children closely to ensure their safety. She ensures children are only collected by parents or a named person who is authorised to collect them. The childminder’s commitment,

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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 enthusiasm and enjoyment of what she does is reflected in the positive impact of her care. Overall, all children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder had one recommendation to ensure that parents are aware of children's sleeping arrangements and are in agreement with these.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has established a written agreement with parents about children's sleeping arrangements which ensures parents are fully aware of their children's sleeping arrangements.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection concern was raised about the childminder not meeting the needs of children, not supervising children at all times and not meeting the conditions of her registration. This relates to National Standards 1 (Suitable person), 2 (Organisation), 3 (Care, learning and play), 6 (Safety), 11 (Behaviour), and 12 (Working in partnership with parents and carers).

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Complaints since the last inspection

It was investigated at an unannounced visit on 09 January 2007. No breaches of the National Standards were identified, but a breach of conditions of registration was found to have occurred in October 2006 when the childminder was caring for two children under one year. The childminder was therefore given a warning letter in relation to this breach. No further action regarding the other concerns was taken and the childminder continues to be qualified for registration.

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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): • ensure a daily record of the name of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance are recorded on a daily basis • ensure parents are informed about updated complaint procedure and complainant should be notified of the outcome within 28 days.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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