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 EY256781 Inspection date 28/01/2009 Inspector Emma Bright

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged three and six years in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. All areas of the childminder’s house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Access to the premises is gained down one step. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time; she is currently minding two children in the early years age group, both of whom attend on a full-time basis. The childminder also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has one hamster and tropical fish. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are extremely safe and secure at all times and thoroughly enjoy learning and developing in a stimulating environment. The childminder’s excellent knowledge of each child’s individual needs ensures that she is able to promote all aspects of their welfare and learning with success. The childminder has a very strong capacity to maintain continuous improvement, regularly attending courses to update and extend her knowledge and skills. Regular self-evaluation by the childminder ensures that any priorities for future development are promptly identified and acted on, resulting in a service that is responsive to the needs of all of its users.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 develop children’s assessment records further to ensure parents have opportunities to contribute.

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provision

The organisation of space and play resources is highly effective in meeting children's needs; the childminder has a very good understanding of children's individual abilities and this enables her to provide stimulating play experiences and activities to support each child's development. The childminder has an excellent This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 knowledge and understanding of child development and is very well qualified. She reflects on her practice and demonstrates a clear commitment to continual improvement to develop her provision further and to improve her practice to achieve the best possible outcomes for children. The childminder values the importance of working with parents and has established excellent relationships with parents who are well informed about their children and the progress that they are making. Parents are provided with very detailed information about the setting.

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provision

The childminder effectively gathers excellent information about children’s individual and changing needs. This enables her to take each child's uniqueness into account when planning activities and providing care.

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provision

Thorough safeguarding policies and procedures are in place to ensure that children are fully protected. The childminder has an excellent understanding of her role in safeguarding children and is clear about the procedures to put into practice when necessary and this means children are kept safe from harm. This knowledge has been gained as over time she has regularly attended training to ensure her knowledge is up-to-date in child protection. The childminder is exceptionally well organised; documentation and record keeping is exemplary which promotes the safety and welfare of the children and underpins the high quality care offered. All documentation is professionally presented and stored securely to ensure that it remains confidential.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s learning and development is promoted extremely well by the childminder: she has an excellent understanding of how young children learn and this enables her to provide challenging and stimulating experiences and activities to support each child. The childminder takes children's interests and stage of development into careful consideration when planning activities to ensure all areas of learning are effectively promoted. She records each child’s achievements through a balance of photographs, examples of work and observations. This highly effective system of record keeping demonstrates that children are making excellent progress in their learning and development. However, parents do not contribute to these records in order to share what they know about their child’s progress.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides an inclusive environment where each child is valued; she develops their independence by encouraging children to explore and discover in a safe environment and this significantly enhances their confidence. The childminder takes account of National days and cultural celebrations throughout the year. For example, children have taken part in a range of stimulating activities to help them learn about Chinese New Year. Children thoroughly enjoy looking at the display of photographs of all the children who attend the setting and this helps them to feel secure and a part of the childminding family. The childminder has excellent strategies in place to care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. For example, she finds out about specific additional needs in order to be well informed and uses this information to help children participate and learn at their own pace.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy a wealth of creative activities such as drawing and painting; they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 explore their imagination as they dress up and develop their musical skills by playing instruments and singing. Children develop their early literacy and communication because the childminder ensures they have lots of good quality experiences to promote these skills. For example, they make marks to represent their ideas and have access to a wide range of books which they enjoy reading together. Children confidently identify colour and shape as they place simple shapes into puzzles. The childminder extends children’s learning by introducing mathematical concepts such as counting and number recognition in their play and when out on walks. These simple activities lay the foundations to support the children’s future economic well-being.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn about keeping safe because the childminder provides clear, simple explanations to help them think about why, for example, they should sit down when they are eating. In addition, children wear reflective clothing on outings and they regularly practise the emergency evacuation plan. The childminder ensures that children have lots of varied opportunities for physical exercise; for example, they practise their large skills as they run around at the local park and they benefit from lots of fresh air on their walks to local amenities. The childminder encourages children to have a healthy attitude towards food because she provides an excellent range of balanced and nutritious meals and snacks, as well as ensuring that all children have independent access to drinks. Children competently make sandwiches for their lunch and readily tuck in to raw vegetables. The childminder gathers clear information about children’s dietary requirements and this ensures

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

they can eat safely. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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 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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