Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 149447 Inspection date 07 November 2005 Inspector Kelly Eyre

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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 1995. She lives with her husband and two children aged twelve and eighteen in Baldock, Hertfordshire. Two rooms on the ground floor of the childminder’s house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 2 children under 5 during the day and 2 children over 5 before and after school on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group. The family has two

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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 cats, four rabbits and aquatic frogs which are kept in a covered aquarium. 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 warm, clean home. Their development is consistently promoted because the childminder has good procedures and practices which meet their physical, dietary and health needs. They receive clear support and guidance from the childminder and understand the relevance of hygiene practices such as washing their hands before eating and covering their mouths when coughing. Their learning in this area is sensitively reinforced as the childminder has ensured that routines are fun, such as providing animal-shaped containers for the liquid soap and paper towels. Children have opportunities to explore and develop physical control through a wide range of activities and experiences. They have daily walks and regularly visit local parks where they have space to run and play games and also use the static play equipment. They enjoy playing in the garden, where the childminder has given

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Helping children to be healthy

thought to the layout and to the provision of resources so that children have room to use ride-on toys, run and practice skills such as throwing, rolling and catching a ball. The childminder also makes use of music, encouraging children to explore rhythm and movement. Children's dietary needs are clearly recorded and they are offered healthy and nutritious snacks which include fruit, sandwiches and yoghurts, and meals cooked using fresh ingredients. The promotion of their overall health could be further improved by the review of children's sleeping arrangements, ensuring that parents are fully aware of these.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children's safety is given a high priority. Risks of accidental injury are minimised because the childminder is extremely vigilant and has thought about every detail of her work in order to reduce potential hazards. For example, the pond area in the rear garden is fenced off and secured with a locked gate. Children also have sufficient freedom to explore their environment safely. The childminder is skilled in achieving this safe balance and in involving children in discussions and decisions about safety. She always gives them clear reasons and discusses issues with them, encouraging them to think things through for themselves. This enables children to learn about potential danger and develop their knowledge about how to protect themselves. An example of this is the emergency evacuation procedures which are practised regularly, with even young children being able to state these procedures and why

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

they are important. Children are cared for in a welcoming environment. The childminder has paid

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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 attention to details such as providing low coat pegs, displaying children's work and providing individual beakers and cutlery for each child, helping them to feel valued and comfortable. Children use good quality equipment which is appropriate to their ages and stages of development. The childminder continuously checks that this is safe and clean, ensuring that children are able to make independent choices about their play in the knowledge that they will be safe. Children's welfare is very well promoted because the childminder is clear that their needs come first and has a good understanding of child protection issues and procedures, having attended additional training.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very confident and settled, thoroughly enjoying their time and happily choosing activities and resources. They have built up excellent relationships with the childminder who joins in enthusiastically with their play and shows them that she genuinely enjoys their company. They also have opportunities to socialise with other children through regular attendance at toddler group. Children's learning and development is enhanced through the childminder's skill in using everyday activities and events as learning opportunities, for example, counting the number of ducks when out for a walk or discussing the changing seasons as children scrunch through the leaves. The childminder also makes excellent use of open questions, encouraging children to think further and extend their play. Children enjoy a varied, stimulating range of activities including imaginative play, crafts, play dough, construction, outdoor play and reading. Their overall development

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

is promoted and they are encouraged to explore and extend their knowledge because the childminder has a good understanding of child development. This enables her to consider and carefully plan a broad range of activities. Children's individual needs and interests are also sensitively considered by the childminder and she is able to ensure that activities are appropriate to individual children, giving lots of support and encouragement whenever needed. This area could be improved further with the introduction of simple records of activities or assessment of progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are always valued and respected as individuals, which encourages them to value and respect others. Their behaviour is excellent and they play exceptionally well together, considering one another's needs within their play They are extremely confident within the childminder's home, happily and competently making choices about their activities. They are set realistic, consistent boundaries by the childminder. She has an excellent understanding of this area and uses highly appropriate methods for managing their behaviour, reinforcing positive aspects and ensuring that children are happily and purposefully occupied. She also acts as an excellent role model, maintaining a calm approach to all issues and treating all children fairly.

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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 Children have numerous opportunities to learn about society and the wider world. They have regular access to an extensive range of resources which give them positive images and promote their understanding, for example, a variety of books and play figures depicting different ages, cultures and abilities. Children learn about their local community through outings to nearby parks, shops and pre-school. They also regularly attend local child-orientated activity groups where they have opportunities to interact with their peers. Children benefit from the childminder's excellent relationship with parents. She discusses all aspects of her practice with parents and keeps them very well informed of their children's progress and activities through regular discussions and reviews.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Overall, the needs of all children attending are met. They are able to feel comfortable and relaxed, because the childminder organises her work well to accommodate their needs. The varying daily requirements of younger children are exceptionally well met by the childminder who confidently adapts the routine and activity plans at short notice. She allows extra time for children to sleep or to give them additional one-to-one attention when needed. Children are confident and can therefore initiate their own play and learning, knowing that the childminder will always have time to support them. Children's overall development and welfare are very well promoted because the childminder pays attention to all areas in the planning and organising of her daily work. This ensures that children are always offered a wide range of stimulating activities and that all are able to participate. The children's safety and welfare are

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Organisation

promoted as the childminder has all relevant paperwork in place and ensures that this is stored confidentially. She has paid particular attention to detail in developing policies and procedures covering all areas of her work, enabling her to promote the best interests of the children at all times.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection, the childminder was asked to obtain written permission from parents before administering medication. All permissions are now in place, further promoting the safety and welfare of minded children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints received by Ofsted. 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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 that parents are aware of children's sleeping arrangements and are in agreement with these • consider the further development of children's activities and the assessment of their progress, for example, by referring to the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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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