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 EY375419 Inspection date 05/01/2009 Inspector 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 registered in 2008, she lives with her husband and two children aged eighteen months and four years in a residential area of Croxley Green, Hertfordshire. The premises are accessible via a small step and porch. All the areas of the home are used for childminding purposes.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from local schools, nurseries and pre- schools. She visits local toddler groups and parks. The family do not have any pets. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for four children aged under eight years on the Early Years Register and Compulsory parts of the Child Care Register and holds an appropriate early years childcare qualification. The childminder may care for children older than this and is included on the voluntary parts of the Child Care Register. There is currently one child attending with varying attendance patterns who is within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and kept safe. The childminder ensures the uniqueness of each child is acknowledged and individual needs are met. Children benefit from a caring and child friendly environment as the childminder fosters a positive relationship with the parents and other professionals. The childminder is beginning to develop systems to reflect on her practice and improve the quality of planning and assessments for children’s learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the planning and assessment system to show how children are progressing towards the early learning goals and how the programme will build on what they know, can do, and are interested in  develop further self-evaluation systems to continually assess all aspects of the provision and improve outcomes for children.

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provision

The childminder is conscious of providing a safe and comfortable environment for the children. She is vigilant to ensure hazards are quickly recognised and minimised. For example, an assessment of the risks relating to the Christmas decorations is undertaken to prevent accidents. The childminder has a sound understanding to safeguard children and has devised an informative child protection policy that is shared with parents. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Sensitive strategies are in place to share information with parents and others to support children’s welfare. The childminder develops a strong relationship with the parents and establishes a close working relationship with the school to ensure all relevant information is shared on a daily basis. A daily journal encourages a two way conversation with the parents. There is a climate of confidentiality and

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provision

inclusion whereby children’s individual needs are recognised and acted upon. Individual files and records are stored securely.

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provision

The childminder is committed to improvement and she has developed a wide range of procedures to ensure that the needs of all children are met and parents are well informed. The childminder has a professional childcare qualification and has a good understanding of child development and a growing understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This is the childminder’s first inspection under the EYFS therefore the culture of reflective practice and systematic self-evaluation is in the early stages of development and not yet able to accurately identify the setting’s strengths and weaknesses. Consequently, some aspects of the provision are less well developed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder effectively promotes children’s welfare, learning and development. Children are happy and settle well. The childminder gains a basic insight into the children's stage of development through her informal observations and discussions with parents. However, planning and assessment is linked to craft and creative activities rather than to target the next steps in the child’s learning. The childminder ensures daily routines are personal, enjoyable and relaxed, while tuning into children’s needs. For example, children have a relaxing time in the afternoon after a busy morning at nursery. The childminder supports purposeful exploration as she collects snow from the garden to allow the children to observe how it changes during the day. Children count and learn to recognise the colours of everyday objects as they walk around the local neighbourhood. The childminder’s calm approach and warm and responsive care helps the children gain

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

control over their behaviour. She encourages the children to negotiate and help each other to succeed at the wireless computer games.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Space and resources are well organised to support children to develop some choices in their play. A well resourced range of books, paper and pens are independently accessible. Good quality toys help to expand the children’s creativity as they dress up as fairytale characters and role play at schools.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s health and safety is suitably supported as there are secure infection control measures and parents are well informed of the childminder’s sickness procedures. They have nourishing choices for meals and their likes and dislikes are respected. Habits to sustain beneficial lifestyles such as exercise and an awareness of personal safety are maintained through physical play and frequent walks to the local park. 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? 3 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 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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