Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 130155 Inspection date 28 March 2006 Inspector Karen Molloy

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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 has been registered since 1977. She lives with her husband, their adult daughter and granddaughter aged two in a house in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. The whole ground floor of the house is used for childminding and one of the upstairs bedrooms is used for younger children who need a sleep. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder regularly attends a toddler group and takes the children to nearby parks and the local library. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five years on a part time basis.

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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 several pets including a cat, lizard, goldfish and an aviary in the garden. The childminder has successfully completed the Hertfordshire Quality Standards (HQS) a quality assurance scheme.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from a healthy and nutritious diet. They enjoy a range of freshly cooked foods with plenty of fruit and vegetables. Meals include home made fish cakes and roast chicken with potatoes and vegetables. Tea may be sandwiches or a jacket potato. A healthy diet is encouraged and fruit snacks are provided during the day. Drinks are easily accessible to the children as they have their own individual cups left out for them. Children's individual needs are discussed with parents and any specific likes, dislikes or dietary requirements are taken into account when planning meals. Children are cared for in a warm and comfortable home where they are beginning to learn the importance of simple good health and hygiene practices. They wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Children have easy access to tissues and know to put them into the bin afterwards. Children stay healthy as the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder follows appropriate procedures such as regular hand washing, disposing of nappies and keeping kitchen surfaces clean. Children who are infectious generally do not attend the childminders home; although an illness such as chicken pox would be discussed with all parents concerned regarding the children's attendance. All the relevant documentation regarding medication is in place. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their individual needs. Young children may sleep undisturbed in a travel cot upstairs and older children can rest on the sofa. Children enjoy physical activities which contribute to their good health and help develop their physical skills. They regularly benefit from fresh air and exercise and enjoy their walk to the park or visit to the nearby duck pond. Children also have use of a safe and secure garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment where any risks are identified and addressed. This means they are able to move around safely, freely and with some independence. Children are well supervised and appropriate safety precautions are in place such as covered sockets, stair gates and security chain on the front door. Attention has been paid to fire safety with an emergency evacuation procedure, smoke alarms, a fire blanket and an extinguisher in place. Children's

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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 safety is given high priority and they are observed being well supervised and reminded to get down or be careful as they move around the room and try to climb. Children are encouraged to tidy up and the childminder puts resources away to make space for the children to move around freely with their shopping trolleys. Children independently select resources from a good range of safe and suitable equipment. Toys are regularly checked and kept clean and well maintained. Children are kept safe outdoors as they make use a of a spacious and enclosed garden. Young children travel safely in a buggy whilst older children are beginning to learn to keep themselves safe, as they walk holding hands and stop at the roadside to look and listen. All the relevant documentation is in place with the addition of a comprehensive safety

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

checklist and a daily checklist. These have been developed by the childminder and support the good practice, adding to the children's safety. Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. Children are cared for by a childminder who has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She is aware of her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. The childminder holds a current first aid qualification and completed advanced child protection training in 2004. She is due to update this in May this year. All the relevant literature is in place with the addition of a child protection policy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled. They have the opportunity to play, relax and enjoy various activities at their own pace. Children form positive relationships with the childminder and they interact in a friendly and relaxed manner. Children approach the childminder with confidence and for reassurance and she in turn responds sensitively to them. Children ask questions and recall events such as the indoor picnic they enjoyed 'and my dollies came'. Children play well together and are encouraged to share, be kind to each other and take turns, which they do. Children benefit from a range of resources and play opportunities that support their all round development. They are able to make independent choices from a good selection of easily accessible toys. Children also begin to get an understanding of the wider community as they visit toddler groups, the park, library and local fire station.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children show an interest in what they do and are busy and absorbed in their area of play. They really enjoy imaginative role play as they sit on the stairs to play buses. When asked where they are going they reply 'we are stuck in traffic!' They 'create' tickets for the bus ride and are beginning to play together cooperatively. Children's development is promoted. Their language skills develop as they are listened to, their questions are answered, they enjoy books and chat comfortably with each other. Children are asked questions to develop their thinking and they are helped to recognise colours in a fun way. As they play a game, they are told 'you may

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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 cross the bridge if you are wearing something green'. Children are shown how to do things and supported when necessary. They respond well to challenge as the childminder gradually moves them onto the next stage. The childminder is aware of the 'Birth to three framework' although she has not yet used it in practice. However, she is keen to develop her knowledge further. Children have their individual needs met. Activities and resources are organised and adapted for each of them, as they can often play with the same thing but at different stages. Children make their own choices and activities take into account their favourite toys. High priority is given to building children's confidence and self-esteem. They receive appropriate support and encouragement to tackle tasks. Children are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

given lots of praise for helping or being kind to each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are respected and valued as individuals. Their differing needs, likes, dislikes or routine is recorded and taken into account. Activities are often the children's choice and these may be adapted to suit the children's different ages and stages of development. Children develop good self-esteem and respect for others. They receive appropriate support and are encouraged to help each other too. Children are given lots of praise and encouragement, for example, when they tidy away some toys. Children understand responsible behaviour. They are happy and play well together. Although they are young, they are beginning to play cooperatively and are learning the art of sharing and taking turns very well. Boundaries are realistic and consistent, with the childminder acting as a positive role model. Children are aware of the boundaries and respond well to the childminder. Any minor disputes are easily

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Helping children make a positive contribution

resolved as the childminder manages this in a calm and sensitive way. The house rules are positive and ask children to respect everyone, to have fun, be kind and share with others. Children are observed being kind to each other as one gives another child their blanket. Any unacceptable behaviour is explained and time out may be used, if behaviour persists, in discussion with parents. Good behaviour is always encouraged and promoted. Children receive lots of praise and attention from the childminder, which helps to foster good self-esteem and confidence. Children are cared for by a childminder who works in partnership with parents to meet individual children's needs. Children are settled in gradually, extending their time at each visit. Effective communication enables both parties to share and discuss information. A diary is kept for children under one year detailing food, sleep and activities/events. New parents are given a welcome letter and a copy of all the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

policies and procedures. All the relevant documentation is in place and regularly reviewed. This ensures parents are kept up to date and informed. Parent questionnaires to the childminder give positive feedback.

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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 organisation is good. Children are well protected and cared for by a childminder who has a high regard for the well being of children. She has been a childminder for 29 years and has received a 'certificate of appreciation' from the NCMA for childminding from 1977 to 2005. She has cared for many children and often from babies. Children benefit from a childminder who has a sound understanding of child development and continues to update her knowledge. Since the last inspection, she has completed training in first aid, child protection and food hygiene. She has successfully completed the Hertfordshire Quality Standards and is due to update this award, this year. A checklist for different areas such as behaviour management helps the childminder to monitor her practice and check she is covering the relevant areas.

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Organisation

The adult to child ratio positively supports children's care, learning and play and each child is observed receiving some one to one care and attention. Good organisation means children's food is prepared in advance and enables the childminder to spend time playing with the children. The routine takes into consideration the children's differing needs and gives children a balance of activities both indoors and out of the home. All the relevant documentation is in place with the addition of some policies and procedures. These are shared with parents and supports the practice to promote children's health, safety and enjoyment. Overall, the range of children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to develop an emergency evacuation procedure and make the cloakroom bolt inaccessible to improve children's safety and to develop resources that reflect diversity. These have been addressed.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There 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

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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

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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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): • improve outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with 'Birth to three matters'.

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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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