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 EY379094 Inspection date 13/01/2009 Inspector Maura Pigram

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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 daughter age two years in North Watford, Hertfordshire. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and a decking area is used for outdoor play. Access to the house is at ground level and the bathroom is on the first floor. The family have no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight at any one time. Currently she is minding two children within the early years age group. The childminder travels to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides appropriately for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She offers a welcoming and inclusive service. Children share warm, friendly relationships with the childminder and their peers, they develop a sense of belonging and enjoy a balance of outings and play activities in the childminders home. Essential documentation is mostly in place, however not all requirements are met.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The setting is well organised to enable all children to participate in activities. 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?

 continue to develop planning and assessment systems so that these match the expectations of the early learning goals and how this information is used to inform children’s next steps in their learning  ensure all necessary documentation such as records, polices and procedures required are easily available.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain a copy of the Statutory Framework and the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage and become familiar with their requirements (relates to the Early Years Register W4 Organisation) 27/01/2009  develop a complaints procedure and ensure parents are aware about details for contacting Ofsted if they wish (relates to Early Years Register, W1.1 27/01/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Safeguarding and welfare).

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provision

Children’s welfare, care and safety are promoted well because the childminder uses her knowledge and experience from working as a nanny in her childcare practice. Through her nanny experience the childminder has a clear knowledge of how children develop and activities which promote their learning and development. She ensures an inclusive practice is promoted. For example, all children including babies are provided with appropriate resources so that they can easily take part in the wide range of activities offered. Her calm and friendly manner ensures children feel valued and time is spent positively interacting with them. However, she has not obtained a copy of the Early Years Foundation Stage document so that she can be fully familiar with all the requirements of this framework. The childminder has completed her initial training, therefore most of the required documentation is in place. However, the organisation of these means that some documentation is not

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provision

easily accessible and a complaints policy is not in place, therefore partnership with parents is potentially underdeveloped.

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provision

The childminder is able to protect children from harm or neglect as she has a sound understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and signs and symptoms of abuse. Suitable safety equipment such as safety gates are fitted around the home and the childminder has a risk assessment which she reviews regularly, maintaining children’s safety. This is the childminders first inspection since registration, therefore her systems for self-evaluation are still developing. However, she effectively met all recommendations raised on her registration and is keen to develop her practice. The childminder is developing links with a local nursery who deliver the EYFS, thus, systems to ensure progression and continuity of learning and care are evolving.

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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 settled. Children learn how to keep healthy because they have good opportunities for physical play both indoors and outdoors. For example, the childminder ensures children gain fresh air everyday either from playing outside with a good range of toys and resources or from visiting local parks and appropriate venues such as Alldenham Country Park. They enjoy healthy and nutritious meals freshly prepared by the childminder. Children learn how to keep safe as they walk to and from school.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder ensures daily routines are personal, enjoyable and relaxed, while tuning into children’s needs. For example, children are able to sleep comfortably, according to their needs. Space and resources are well organised so that children develop confidence as they freely initiate play activities to support their communication, language and numeracy, for example, imaginatively 'making tea This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and pizza' at the play kitchen, completing various jigsaws and playing with interactive toys such as a cash till and a play computer. In addition, the childminder offers a broad range of stimulating play opportunities such as art and craft activities where all children participate. She informally plans the activities offered and she observes children throughout the day to gain an insight into the children's stage of development and progress. Children's diaries are used to inform

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

parents about the children's day. However, entries in children's diaries are mostly descriptive, the informal planning and assessments are mainly linked to craft and creative activities rather than to target the next steps in the child’s learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder effectively manages her time to ensure that she has extensive opportunities to communicate and interact with the children. For example, a spontaneous game with a tunnel results in positive language development. Younger children delight in games of peek-a-boo and the childminder naturally tunes in to their attempts to communicate. Children are encouraged to learn right from wrong as they are learn how to share their toys and take turns. Regular praise and encouragement ensures they develop good levels of self-esteem. 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: 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 (relates to CR7 Procedures for dealing with complaints) 27/01/2009

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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 (relates to CR7 Procedures for dealing with complaints) 27/01/2009 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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