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 EY222784 Inspection date 08/01/2009 Inspector Jo Rowley

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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

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 2002. She works with another registered childminder and minds from her co-childminder's house. The co-childminder's husband also lives at the property. The whole of the downstairs, of the co-childminders house, is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Accessibility to the premises is up one step. The co-childminder has no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for six children at any one time, of these, two children in the Early Years Foundation Stage and there are currently three children attending, all of whom are part-time, within this age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder also offers care to children aged five to eight years. Children occupying these places share the same facilities as the children in the early years age range. There are currently no children on roll within this age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder regularly works with her co-childminder and together they may care for a maximum of eight children. Currently they are caring for six children, at different times on different days, between them. Both childminders have joint responsibility for the childminding practice.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has started to make links with the local pre-school and has the Nursery Nursing Examination Board certificate (NNEB).

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the childminder provides satisfactorily for all children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. She provides a safe and enjoyable environment, from her co- childminder's home, whilst supporting children in their play. The children are able to fully participate because the childminder provides suitable activities, although there is limited planning of these activities and therefore, they are not linked to observations and assessment. Children's individual needs are recognised and steps are taken to ensure that children are cared for inclusively, although their next steps are not always planned. Children's welfare is generally promoted and the childminder has made links with parents to consistently develop children's care and education. There have been some steps taken in the form of self-evaluation and therefore, the childminder is able to demonstrate an understanding of her strengths and areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop observations and assessments to regularly inform planning and ensure that children's next steps are planned for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  ensure that risk assessments are carried out for outings  ensure that the certificate of registration is displayed.

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provision

The childminder has a range of written policies in place, which have been updated in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage, to ensure that children are well protected at all times. For example, she has a safeguarding children policy and completes a regular risk assessment of her co-childminder's home, ensuring that toys and resources are safe and suitable for the children to use. The childminder verbally discusses the children's welfare and development with parents and has used their feedback from written questionnaires to develop her practice. She fully encourages parents to share what they know about their children in order to provide a consistent approach.

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provision

The childminder is beginning to evaluate her practice. Although there is no written evaluation in place, she demonstrates a knowledge of where the children are progressing and how she can develop their interests. The childminder has created effective partnerships with parents, although links with pre-schools and other agencies are not yet fully in place. She works closely with her co-childminder as they both have joint responsibility for the childminding practice, although her conditions of registration certificate is not displayed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are well supported by the childminder. She offers a range of outside activities including regular visits to the local parks and childminding group. The childminder provides fun and interesting resources in her co-childminder's home which are suitable for children's ages and stages of development. Most resources are stored at the children's level, enabling them to make individual choices. The childminder demonstrates an awareness of where children are in their learning and knows what to offer them in order to further their development. However, there are limited written observations and assessments completed in order to influence the planning of activities. Therefore, children's individual needs, their next steps and progression towards the early learning goals are not always promoted.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged, by the childminder, to use their imaginations as they play. For example, together they make up their own games with the dolls houses and character figures, which the childminder actively participates in. The childminder has limited written plans although she regularly asks children what they would like to do and extends this where possible. Children make independent choices, for example, one child asks to do some drawing. This is further extended to make some 'Dora the explorer' character back packs and maps which the children are excited to take home. The childminder supports the children in these activities whilst also encouraging them to try things for themselves, therefore, promoting their independence. For example, one child asks for the childminder's help in drawing something. The childminder encourages the child to try for herself first and when the child manages to do it for herself she is clearly pleased and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 effectively praised by the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has forged caring relationships with the children, they enjoy their time with her and have built strong friendships with each other and her co- childminder. Children are kind to each other, they share toys and resources and together use their imaginations to create ideas of their own. The children are respected and are all offered the same opportunities regardless of their background. The childminder is able to provide care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and ensures that she and her co-childminder consistently promote an inclusive environment. She encourages children to use appropriate behaviour and has house rules in place that children are encouraged to follow. She effectively uses praise to encourage children to be kind to each other and to make the right choices.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health and welfare are generally promoted as the childminder takes steps to minimise the spread of infection. They are encouraged to regularly wash their hands before meal times and together they talk about healthy food choices. The children are cared for in a secure environment because the childminder has a suitable understanding of minimising risks. She carries out a regular risk assessment of her co-childminder's home before children arrive and visually checks the areas used by the children on outings, although risk assessments, for outings, are not completed. When out of the home she carries a first aid kit and emergency contact details for each child should they be required and regularly talks to children about road safety. The childminder has a clear understanding of issues relating to safeguarding children and has the relevant information and contact details for all children. 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

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is 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? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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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: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met 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 the last inspection.

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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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