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 EY298186 Inspection date 12/02/2009 Inspector Gail Groves

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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 registered in 2004. She lives in Watford, Hertfordshire with her two children aged 12 and 15 years, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted 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 collects children from the local school and attends local toddler groups. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder's well developed knowledge of each child’s individual needs enables her to successfully promote all aspects of their welfare and learning. Children are safe and secure at all times and most of the required documentation to ensure that their welfare and well-being is appropriately supported is in place. The partnership with parents is particularly strong and contributes significantly to ensuring that the needs of all children are met very well and that they get any additional support they need. The childminder's ability to monitor and evaluate her provision is developing and future improvements to her practice are effectively targeted to improve the outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the complaints policy and procedure reflects current legislation  ensure the safeguarding children policy is in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board local guidance and procedures  develop and clarify the knowledge and understanding of the requirements and educational programmes of the Early Years Foundation Stage still further.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out and record a full risk assessment for each type of outing, which includes an assessment of the required adult to child ratios. (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 26/02/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children’s welfare, care and safety are promoted well. The childminder has effective policies and procedures in place to protect children's safety and well- being and carefully organises her home to provide a safe, stimulating and attractive environment which meets the needs of all children. Resources are readily and safely accessible in order to encourage children's independence and self- esteem and most of the documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the setting is in place. However, because she does not have a copy of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, she is unable to monitor that she is fully meeting all the requirements. Consequently, the requirement to have written risk assessments for each outing is not fully met and some written policies and procedures do not reflect the current legislation.

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provision

The childminder strives at all times to provide high quality care and education for all children and she is beginning to use self-evaluation procedures that allow her to accurately identify her strengths and areas for improvement. In addition, she has also sought parental views about her service via a questionnaire. As a result, she has made improvements to her practice that have had a positive impact on the overall quality of her early years provision and have improved the learning and development of all of the children. For example, she has now implemented planning, observation and record keeping systems that allow her to monitor children's achievements and progress more formally and has extended the resources that she provides for children's creative play.

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provision

The childminder works closely with parents and carers to meet children's individual needs and their wishes and views are respected and valued at all times. They are encouraged to have an input into their children's learning through their daily discussions with the childminder and the regular opportunities they have to look at and discuss their child's assessment records. In addition, they are included in special activities such as the Christmas party and are welcome to stay and observe what their children are doing if they wish to do so. Parents are also encouraged to share their cultural festivals with the children to help to support their understanding of diversity.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder promotes children's welfare, learning and development effectively. Robust hygiene procedures ensure that children's good health and well-being is well promoted and that all necessary steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection. Children learn good hygiene routines such as wiping their hands before eating and after messy play and are therefore beginning to understand the importance that these routines play in keeping them healthy. In addition, their safety is given a high priority and furniture, equipment and toys are good quality, well maintained and meet all children's needs. Children also learn to keep themselves safe through discussions and practical experiences within their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 everyday routines. For example, they learn that they must sit down to take off the dressing up trousers in case they fall and that they must be careful of the ice on

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All children enjoy a wide range of interesting and challenging play experiences which help them to make effective progress towards the early learning goals of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder plans activities around topics such as personal hygiene and makes regular observations and assessments of what children know and can do in order to help her to identify any particular needs and to plan the next step in their learning. She has just started to monitor children's progress through the use of tracker books and these enable her to ensure that they are moving towards the early learning goals appropriately. In addition, her written plans ensure that she provides children with suitable opportunities to enjoy play experiences that have clear learning intentions and that over time, support children's progress in all areas of learning and development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children develop high levels of confidence and self-esteem because they are able to independently access a wide range of resources, are encouraged to make choices and take decisions throughout their daily routines and enjoy a good balance between adult-led and child-initiated activities both in and out of doors. The childminder interacts with the children at all times to develop their language and communication skills and her skilful questioning techniques help them to develop the thinking and reasoning skills they need to become active and inquisitive learners.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

They form affectionate relationships with the childminder and each other and because they clearly know and understand the routines of the setting and have played an active part in drawing up the house rules, they behave very well. They develop good social skills because they are encouraged to share and take turns and to think of the needs of others by learning that they must not make too much noise when younger children are asleep upstairs. Visiting places such as the zoo or the nearby field to feed the horses extends their understanding about the world around them and they enjoy listening to stories and looking at books to develop this understanding still further. In addition, the childminder is currently waiting to take on an allotment in order to provide more opportunities for children to learn about the natural world by planting and growing a greater variety of things than can be accommodated in her garden.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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 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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