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 EY365602 Inspection date 18/03/2009 Inspector Maggie Thorp

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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 child who is under five years in Tottenham in the London Borough of Haringey. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding as well as an upstairs bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, two of which may be in the early years age range. She currently has eight children on roll, all of which are in the early years age range and attend on a part time basis. On occasions the childminder works with an assistant. When the assistant is present a maximum of five children in the early years age range can attend. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children and attends local community projects for children. Some children who speak English as an additional language attend. The family have no pets. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. In addition to being on the Early Years Register the childminder is registered on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The overall quality of the provision is satisfactory and children are safe, confident and independent in the childminder's care. They enjoy and are learning from the experiences she provides. However, this is not monitored to ensure that they make progress across all areas of learning. Children's security and sense of well-being is enhanced by the good working partnership the childminder has developed with parents and the steps she takes to ensure all children are welcomed and valued. The quality of what children receive is continually improving as the childminder is clear about areas to develop and makes good use of local resources and training. However, on occasions she exceeds the number of children she is registered to care for.

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further?

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

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further?

 review menus and plan how to promote children's healthy eating more effectively  review how much background noise there is and adjust this to ensure there is not a negetive impact on children as they develop listening skills and learn to talk  develop the system for observing, assessing and planning experiences to enable children to be challenged and make progress across all areas of learning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 always stay within the conditions of registration in regard to the maximum number of children in the early years age range cared for at any one time (Organisation) 19/03/2009

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provision

Children are safe, secure and having fun in the childminder's care because she has organised the day to provide a good balance of indoor and outdoor activities. However, the childminder cares for a number of children on a part time and short term basis as their parents attend courses. The childminder has not organised this well to ensure that she stays within the number of young children she is registered to care for.

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provision

The childminder has sound policies that are implemented well, particularly in relation to safeguarding children and risk assessment. She is clear about what to do if she has concerns about a child. She has identified and taken steps to minimise hazards in her home. Children's needs are identified by the childminder's well maintained records. The action she takes to meet those needs helps each child to fully participate and enjoy what is offered. Children's good health is promoted through the cleanliness of the childminder's home and her good practice in relation medicine administration, accidents and being alert to allergies.

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provision

Children's self-esteem is fostered by the strong supportive relationship the childminder builds with parents. She makes a note of each parent's wishes and these are respected regarding the care of their children. Parents have clear written information to refer to about the service she provides, including how to complain, what happens if a child is unwell and how she encourages children's good behaviour. The childminder takes time to chat to each parent and provides them with a diary of young children's care. However, she has not developed a way of keeping parents regularly informed about the progress their child is making through the experiences she offers.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are learning as they play through the involvement of the childminder and the opportunities she provides for children to be independent. An example of this is in sand play in the childminder's garden. Children are helped to notice how dry sand trickles through their fingers but does not stick together. They are encouraged to fetch water and mix this with the sand, then to notice and describe the difference this makes. Children enjoy counting and exploring quantity and size through everyday activities, such as mealtimes. Children are becoming increasingly creative and imaginative as they paint, make models out of recycled materials and used a variety of materials to make collages. They enjoy participating in artwork to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 celebrate a variety of festivals at the community project. Children are becoming confident communicators as the childminder chats to them about what they are

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

doing and about their families and pets. She tailors her conversation to the different levels of each child's language development. Children's interest in books and reading is fostered well and the childminder ensures there are books that reflect the different backgrounds and interests of the children she cares for. Children can help themselves to story books during the day and enjoy a daily story time before they go home. Children's interest in the natural world in fostered well through visits to the park, for example, to collect leaves, and through growing vegetables. Children move confidently and independently around the childminder's home and garden.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a sufficiently wide selection of play materials but children enjoy a wider choice of accessible resources outdoors than indoors. In the garden children dig, swing, climb, plant and use wheeled toys. Children regularly attend a local community project three times a week. Here the wide selection of indoor and outdoor play facilities further fosters children's creativity, imagination and physical skills. Children's health is encouraged through most aspects of the childminder's care. She provides sensitive support to encourage all children to eat and to feed themselves independently, and they enjoy the social occasion mealtimes provide. However, some of the food served does not ensure children have a balance diet and fresh rather than processed food at each meal. Children are learning to keep themselves safe, as they practise fire drills, talk about why they must wear seat belts in the car, and are warned about the dangers of throwing sand. Older

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

children use the bathroom independently and younger children are learning toilet training encouraged by older children's competence. 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? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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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