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 EY371517 Inspection date 20/10/2008 Inspector Maura Pigram & Sheila Harrison

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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 was registered in 2008. She lives with her husband, an adult child and two younger children aged 13 and seven years. The family live in Bushey, Hertfordshire. The childminder mainly uses the whole of the ground floor which includes a cloakroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the Childcare and Voluntary Register to provide care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time. She is currently caring for three children in the early years age group on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local nurseries and schools to take and collect children where she has links with the provisions. She attends a local toddler group and a childminding support group. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The family has no pets.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder effectively supports children to make good progress in their learning and development. She is committed to ensuring to providing an inclusive practice, she knows the children in her care well and plans interesting activities to stimulate their individual interests. The childminder has started to use photographs to record the children's assessment and progress, however, these are yet to be used in planning for the next steps in the children's learning.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a positive attitude to improvement, she is beginning to evaluation some aspects of her provision and is actively using some of her polices to support the children's care and learning. However, the risk assessment is not fully utilised. The childminder works closely with parents and other professionals to ensure children's needs are effectively met. Children have a warm and friendly relationship with the childminder and her family.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the records of observation and assessments and use these to plan the next steps in a child's development progress  review the risk assessment to ensure all hazards are identified (this refers to the windows in the garage).

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provision

The childminder is warm and caring, she provides an inclusive environment for the children. She is aware of the need to maintain professional skills, for example, she is keen to attend further training to enhance the children's care and learning. She This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 has a positive attitude and has established professional relationships with both the parents, nurseries and the schools where children attend, therefore, children’s needs are effectively met.

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provision

Comprehensive policies, procedures and good practice mostly contribute to ensure children's individual needs are fully met and are valued. Information from parents is effectively used to plan and provide care and learning that meets the children’s individual needs. Children’s photographic books are regularly shared with the parents, they are beginning to show their progress towards the early learning goals. This, alongside discussions about activities children are involved in, enables parents to support their learning at home.

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provision

Children are protected from harm or neglect as the childminder has a good understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and signs and symptoms of child abuse. Her comprehensive portfolio containing vetting details of household members provides reassurance to parents that those present are suitable to have regular contact with the children. The layout of the home means that children are within sight or sound at all times. Suitable safety equipment is fitted around the home and a risk assessment has been developed. However, this has not identified the garage window which is close to where children may play, potentially causing a hazard to them. This is the childminder's first inspection since registration, she has started to evaluate her practice and has acted upon discussions during her registration related to fire safety. For example, she has obtained smoke detectors and practises the emergency evacuation with children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder effectively promotes children’s welfare, learning and development. Children learn about keeping themselves healthy as they have good opportunities for both indoor and outdoor activities. They enjoy healthy and nutritious meals prepared by the childminder. Parents can also provide their children’s meals if they prefer. The childminder is very mindful of dietary needs including allergies, thus children are well cared for in a home where the children are treated as part of the family. Children learn to keep themselves safe, for example, road safety is discussed on outings and when walking to and from school.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children feel valued as they are treated as individuals, starting points are discussed with parents and used to plan the children’s day. For example, space and resources are well organised, the childminder rotates her toys according to the interests and developmental needs of the children, thus the environment is tailored to meet their individual needs. Children are provided with a varied range of activities and stimulating experiences to support their learning and development both at home and within the local community. They are very settled and confident as they explore a range of toys and equipment to help them make progress in their communication and language skills, for example, identifying parts of their body when joining in with nursery rhymes and turning pages of an interactive story book.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder develops children’s language skills through consistently talking and responding positively to them. She reads regularly to children further supporting This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their early reading skills. She is passionate about the importance of early reading with children and shares this with parents. Good opportunities are provided for younger children to develop social skills, such as attending toddler groups. There are ample opportunities for children to develop their physical skills in well resourced garden and on visits to parks. Children are able to easily access resources to assist with counting and problem solving skills. Thus overall, children are making good progress in their learning. However, the childminder is not using assessments to support the monitoring of children’s progression, therefore, some aspects of learning may not be fully explored and extended.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s art work is proudly displayed providing them with a sense of self-esteem. They are encouraged to behave well and to respect the needs of others, a pictorial list of acceptable behaviour alongside the childminder's calm approach supports this. 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? Good

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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? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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

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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 registration or 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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