Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY222784 Inspection date 12 July 2005 Inspector Diane Mary O'Neill

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2002. She is registered at the same premises as another registered childminder in Stevenage Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed front garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum six children at any one time.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 When working with another childminder at these premises, does not care for more than eight children, of these no more than four may be under five and not more than one under one year. She is currently caring for three children under five all day. The childminder drives to collect the children from a local pre-school and on occasions walks to the local school to collect older children. The family have a Bearded dragon which lives in a locked glass case. The childminder is a member of the National Child Minding Association (NCMA). She is currently working to obtain Hertfordshire Quality Standards accreditation.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment, that is well maintained. Although the children cared for are very young, the childminder is helping them to learn about the importance of good hygiene such as washing hands before and after meals and after using the toilet. The children also learn through watching the childminder when cleaning the high chair and equipment. Children are provided with a mixture of freshly produced meals and snacks or they bring their own packed lunch. The childminder has completed a basic food hygiene training course which has developed her understanding of safe storage and preparation of food. The childminder works closely with parents in relation to meals, snack and sleep patterns to ensure their children's individual needs are met through the daily routines that are in place. The children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills through a variety

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Helping children to be healthy

of play experiences such as out in the garden, which is a hard play area enabling them to play out in most weather conditions. They have bikes, tricycle, push along toys, balls and other out door equipment. Trips to the park, farm and other local amenities further develop children outdoor play experiences. Inside they also develop their finer physical skills with puzzles, building bricks and train track. The childminder has completed a recognised first aid course which enables her to administer medical or emergency help to children in her care. All relevant documentation in relation to children's health and well-being is in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming and reasonably safe environment where risks have been generally identified and minimised. However the childminder needs to develop her use of written risk assessments to ensure she is protecting children from harm. Children are beginning to learn about safety within the premises used by the childminder as they regularly practice fire drills and she ensures her equipment is in good working order through regular checks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children have suitable play areas within the premises that enables them to have different play experiences such as construction, free play, messy play and outdoor activities. All these areas are monitored by the childminder to ensure children have fun in a safe environment. Children freely access equipment so beginning to develop their exploration, investigation and imaginative skills. Where the childminder works there is a Bearded Dragon, which is a reptile, which lives in an appropriate glass cage. The children find it fascinating and love looking at the reptile. The childminder is aware of her responsibility to protect children in her care and has some relevant documents and guidance in place to ensure children's welfare is safe guarded. She has gained further knowledge by recently completing a child protection

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

training course. Although she has a copy of the local child protection guidance, a recommendation has been raised that she obtain the Department of Health leaflet "what to do if you are worried a child is being abused- summary " to update her information, in line with the requirements of the National Standards for day care and childminding.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very settled and happy within the setting. They are secure and confident with the childminder and other children attending. The childminder works with another childminder who cares for older aged children, the mixing of the various ages enables the younger children's social skills to be developed. Children are building effective relationships with the childminder and clearly enjoy their time in her company. This was very evident when watching them play together and reading stories. This very social and interactive time enables the development of children's language and thinking skills as well as their confidence. Children are supported well by the childminder who through her wide knowledge of child development is able to adapt activities so that they are stimulating, challenging and age appropriate as well as promoting children's learning in all areas of their development .

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children are beginning to learn about their community and the diversity of the world around them. This is achieved through the childminders positive attitude and use of resources to extend their learning. Such as books, play food, discussion about where people live and work. Sometimes borrowing duel language resources to show children differences. She has even learnt some different languages to help a child in her care. The childminder plans to develop her resources so children have even more opportunities to learn about the diversity of the world. Children are beginning to learn an awareness of the behaviour boundaries which are in place. Their behaviour on the whole is good and they are learning to share, take

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 turns and be respectful to one another. Children's care is enhanced through the childminder having a good working relationship with parents. They are kept fully informed of their child's day through comprehensive daily dairies as well as informative verbal communication.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled and happy in the childminders care. They initiate their own play and explore readily accessible toys and resources, developing confidence and self-esteem as they become more independent. Information is exchanged regularly through informal and written communication which is available to parents. The childminder is developing her organisational abilities, and has found doing her Hertfordshire Quality Assessment training, a very good learning module. This will enable her to offer an more professional and well organised service for both the children and their parents. All relevant documentation that is required as a registered childminder was available. The childminder is continually adding to her own learning and development, by attending further training to enable her to offer even more play and learning experiences for children in her care. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder had a few recommendations raised for her to consider. Theses were "make sure the daily record of attendance is accurate and kept up to date". She has now got the NCMA daily attendance register in place that clearly shows children attending at any time as the childminder is in operation. "Make sure the car conforms to legal requirements when it is used for the purpose of childminding. The childminder has suitable insurance and MOT cover to ensure her car is road worthy to transport any children in her car, so they are safe. "Make hazards in the cupboard under the stairs inaccessible to children. This has been made safe with the adding of a safety catch, as well as a stair gate across the kitchen entrance and all access to the area near the cupboard are supervised by an adult. "Maintain a written record and written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice and recording any medication administered and signed by

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Improvements since the last inspection

parents. Once again the NCMA documentation is used to ensure children's well-being. Maintain a suitable stocked first aid box was another request, the childminder now has one in place which is fully stocked so she can administer first aid if required.

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Complaints since the last inspection

An investigation was carried out on 17/03/2005, re concern about space

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Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 requirements and number of children on the premises. The out come summary was that "Childminder should be monitored to ensure that she contacts the planning office and does not take on any extra children over 8 years". The actions raised at the time were dealt with satisfactorily and the childminder remains qualified for registration.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure risk assessment is used effectively in protecting children from harm • ensure copy of "what to do if you are worried a child is being abused" summery document is in place.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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