Dell, Marie Jane

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 EY350559 Inspection date 22/10/2008 Inspector Suman Willis

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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 2007. She lives with her partner and son aged two years in Park Street, St Albans, close to all local amenities. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is access to a downstairs cloakroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and Childcare Register to provide care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding two children in the early years age group. The childminder takes children on outings and uses the car for transport.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are given opportunities to make good progress in their learning and enjoy their time in the setting. Policies and procedures are effective in identifying children's individual needs and in ensuring that support is appropriately provided. Systems to promote children's welfare are mostly good. Procedures to involve parents and other agencies in the children's learning are generally good. The childminder is keen to improve her practice and has identified training as an area for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop procedures to share information with parents and other agencies to help children make continuous progress  ensure that risk assessment procedures are robust and keep children safe at all times, this refers to both the premises and outings  develop registration procedures to ensure that children's attendance is accurately recorded.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn. She has developed good procedures which enable her to monitor children's progress effectively. A broad range of resources is organised to promote children's independence. Outings to places such as an animal farm and park are planned to provide challenges and extend children's understanding of their local community. The childminder provides a well-balanced range of free choice and adult-led activities. Adult-led activities are well planned and enable all children to be fully This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 challenged. Risk assessments are carried out regularly but are not robust enough to ensure children's safety at all times. Some documents to promote children's safety are not consistently maintained. Children's health needs are adequately promoted as children have regular access to a well-resourced garden and are well

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provision

nourished. The childminder ensures that all adults are appropriately vetted to safeguard children.

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provision

The childminder is keen to make improvements and is beginning to use the self- evaluation to highlight her strengths and weakness. She has clearly identified training needs and is reviewing her documents. She generally works effectively with parents to share information about the children's learning and development. However, procedures to link in with parents and other agencies to promote children's learning are not effective.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged to make good progress and show a positive attitude to learning. Their independence is fully promoted as they participate in a variety of interesting activities. Their interest is fully sustained as they make frames for photographs of themselves. They learn to work cooperatively together as they play in the garden loading and unloading the wheelbarrow. Children are very well supported in their play by the childminder who joins in and provides challenge as she asks open-ended questions. Good systems such as a daily diary and scrapbooks are used to monitor children's progress which would be further enhanced by involving parents and other agencies. Children respond with enthusiasm as they learn to use scissors to cut different-sized straws for their matching game. They use language creatively as they talk about their picture frames.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is appropriately promoted because systems to keep children safe and healthy are implemented into everyday routines. They are taken out daily and have regular fresh air and exercise. Children are well nourished as they help themselves to apples. Risk assessments to promote children's safety both indoors and on outings are not sufficiently robust. Systems to ensure that the premises are secure are inconsistent. Children learn about road safety as they go on daily outings. Children's independence is promoted as they help themselves to drinks. They manage their behaviour very well and are developing their confidence and self-esteem as they are warmly praised for their achievements.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Overall, children are making as much progress as they can in all the six areas of learning. They are developing good habits as active, inquisitive and independent learners. 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? 2 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? 2

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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? 2 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 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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