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 EY348578 Inspection date 16/03/2009 Inspector Kay Williams

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and two young children aged one and four years. They live in Welwyn Garden City, in the county of Hertfordshire. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local toddler groups, takes children to the library and the local park. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and also the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. All children are valued as individuals and the childminder knows them well, consequently she is able to promote their welfare and support their learning and development to positive effect. Children are well settled and enjoy their time spent in the childminder's care. The newly registered childminder is enthusiastic about her role and her commitment to assessing the service that she provides supports her strong capacity to secure future improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 offer children greater opportunities to explore a wide range of natural materials and play resources  further develop the system for recording children's progress by analysing the observations to highlight children's achievements

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provision

The childminder is efficient and well organised. She has comprehensive policies and procedures which underpin her existing good practice. In addition, she has recently revised them to link with the Early Years Foundation Stage. This means that she is able to ensure that children are offered a varied range of learning opportunities which help them to make good progress in all areas. Furthermore she is seeking further training to enhance her knowledge.

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provision

The childminder has established an effective system for self-evaluation. She has This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 clearly identified areas for improvement and children benefit directly from the new resources and play opportunities that she provides as a result. For example, she has developed a picture recognition labelling system scheme to ensure that children are able to choose resources that are not set out on the open plan shelving. In addition, she has involved parents in her self-evaluation process, inviting them to complete a questionnaire to offer their views and opinions. This has resulted in the childminder reviewing the way that she involves the children and parents in the recording and acknowledgement of their achievements.

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provision

Children's safety is assured because the childminder has a firm understanding of issues relating to safeguarding children. She vigilantly maintains a safe environment for them and carefully monitors visitors to the home. She regularly practises and records fire evacuations and conducts regular risk assessments on all areas of her home. Her knowledge of child protection procedures supports her to act appropriately should she become concerned about a child in her care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make good progress because the childminder spends good amounts of time playing with them in order to support their learning and development. Children have their own coat peg and space for their personal possessions, which in turn strengthens their sense of belonging. The childminder praises the children's efforts and behaviour, consequently they feel confident to engage in the interesting range of activities available to them. The childminder is developing a good understanding of the principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage and is able to provide a stimulating age appropriate variety of learning opportunities. She makes observations of children and collates these into their individual learning records which also includes photographs and samples of their work. She links this to the six areas of learning, however, the observations are largely narrative and not sufficiently evaluative so it is not always clear what children have learnt.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's well-being is effectively promoted. They are encouraged to make healthy choices as they enjoy their midmorning snack. They learn about the importance of good personal hygiene as they wipe their hands before they eat. Nappy changing routines are hygienic and the home environment is clean and well maintained. Children are protected from risks and hazards as the childminder has appropriate safety measures in place. For example, the stairs and kitchen are secured with safety gates, this in turn allows children to move safely and around the home. Children are able to independently access resources of their choice and enjoy reading books, playing musical instruments and playing with small world figures. However, most of the resources are plastic and offer little opportunity for them to experience a range of textures and natural materials.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are becoming confident communicators and their language development is effectively supported by the childminder who encourages them to use words to accompany their actions and gestures. Children are offered activities which support their particular interests, for example children who enjoy concentrating on buckling straps are offered several opportunities to repeat and persevere as they develop further competence in this newly acquired skill. Children enjoy daily outings to the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 park to feed the ducks and develop gross motor skills as they play on the large apparatus. Weekly trips to the toddler groups offer them an additional range of learning opportunities, including role play and socialising with older children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy a range of creative art activities, including sticking, painting and clay modelling. They learn to make sense of their world as the re-enacted real situations such as wiping the dolls face and pushing dollies in the buggy. Children are supported to learn about cultures other than their own as they celebrate a range of festivals throughout the year and some of the books and resources depict images of social and cultural diversity. 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? 2 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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