Childminder in Hertfordshire

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY339844 Inspection date 08/10/2008 Inspector Carolyn Mary Hasler

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Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder registered in 2006. She lives with her partner and two children aged four and seventeen in Freezy Water a residential area of the London Borough of Enfield. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is sufficient space to allow minded children to play and rest. A fully enclosed garden is available for outside play. The childminder takes and collects children from school, she visits local parks, libraries, community groups, zoos and farms. The childminder is registered for five minded children, three of which are under five and two children are on the childcare register. The childminder has a step into the front door. Once inside the premises children can access all areas of the ground floor which are used for minding. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory

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Description of the childminding

and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and engaged at the childminder's house, she has sound knowledge of each individual child and provides evidence of purposeful and well planned activities which incorporate their ideas and interest. She provides an inclusive practice and takes account of their individual needs helping them to develop a strong sense of self and value for each others' contribution to the group by promoting kindness and good manners. There is capacity for this provision to maintain improvement because the childminder demonstrates an open attitude to developing her service.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 continue to develop clear and definable stratergies for keeping parents informed about how well children are progressing towards the Early Learning Goals (Educational programmes)

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 develop and conduct regular risk assessments and take all reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to children both indoors and outdoors are kept to a minimum, also applies to the compulsory and voluntary and Childcare register (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 30/10/2008  take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of children in the event of a fire and provide a clearly defined emergency procedure for the evacuation of the premises, also applies to the compulsory and voluntary and Childcare part of the register (Suitable premises, 30/10/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 environment and equipment)

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provision

The setting is sufficiently managed and organised. There is a range of policies and procedures which the childminder shares with parents and which underpins her service. However, some documentation was not available and others lack robustness. The childminder has an appropriate qualification in childcare and has a current first aid certificate. Although she has not yet accessed training in the Early Years Foundation Stage, there is good understanding on how to plan a child's day to ensure they are learning and developing.

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provision

The quality of the care children are receiving is likely to continue because the childminder shows a positive attitude towards her personal development. Although she is not yet able to evaluate her service effectively she is very receptive to feedback and acknowledged areas that she needed to improve during the process of inspection.

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provision

Children benefit from supportive relationships between parents and the childminder who communicates in a number of different ways to share information. Parents are supportive and provide the childminder with positive feedback. Although verbal information is shared, this is not always documented. Parents contribute to some extent towards planning. However, they are not currently receiving sufficient information on how children are progressing towards the early learning goals.

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provision

The childminder verbally demonstrates a good understanding of how to safeguard children. She ensures that all members of her household have been vetted. However, this is not always consistent with practice. For example, when planning emergency procedures or assessing the security risks. Her complaints procedure provides parents with sufficient information to share their concerns.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children take part in a wide range of interesting and stimulating activities; they have high levels of self confidence, approach tasks independently and have good attitudes to learning new skills. They are engaged, playing well together, respecting each others' contributions to the group. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of the early learning goals. Children's learning and development is very effectively supported and they are successfully making progress. The childminder observes children's play, evaluates and makes comment on their thoughts and feeling on activities, this helps her to plan for them in the future and improve their outcomes.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has good knowledge and understanding of how to promote children's health; she ensures that all of the relevant documentation is appropriately used and in place. She responds to medical emergencies effectively ensuring that This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children are well cared for and that parents are kept informed. They have access to a clean and well presented environment to play in. They are successfully learning good personal hygiene skills because the childminder encourages their independence by providing them with the tools and equipment to help themselves. They discuss how drinking water helps them stay healthy and enjoy a nutritiously balanced diet which is planned in conjunction with parents' wishes. All children have good independence skills at meal times, they help prepare meals and eat independently.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are generally learning about keeping themselves safe through timely reminders from the childminder. Although risk assessments have been completed visually, there is no other evidence to suggest how long the childminder takes to address hazardous areas. Fire safety equipment has not been appropriately placed or identified as posing a hazard to children who have not practised fire evacuation. However, the indoor environment was generally safe, furniture and equipment is suitable for use and easily accessible.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have good attitudes to making friendships, they are kind and generally nice to each other. The childminder uses appropriate language with children to help them understand right from wrong. Strategies are shared with parents to support continuity of care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's speaking skills are successfully supported, they are encouraged to use their skills in a range of situations and are developing confidence and disposition to do so. They become engaged in the practical applications of their knowledge and skills as they explore natural resources such as sand and water and learn about life cycles through planting, caring for and watching flowers grow. Children are using their knowledge and skills to successfully solve problems and make connections across other areas of learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? Good The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well are children safeguarded? Satisfactory

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Satisfactory How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Good How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Satisfactory

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report 30/10/2008

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report 30/10/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

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Detail of the complaint/s

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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