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 404256 Inspection date 03/03/2009 Inspector Jo Rowley

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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 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 registered in 1998. She lives with her two children aged 10 and 13 in Ware, Hertfordshire, close to shops, parks and public transport links. The whole of the downstairs, an upstairs bedroom and bathroom of the childminder's house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Accessibility to the premises is up three small steps. The family has two hamsters and a tank of fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five 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 five children in this age group, of which one is full time. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has made links with the local nursery. She has a Diploma in childcare and early years education and a level three National Vocational Qualification in childcare learning and development.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a safe and enjoyable environment whilst supporting children in their play. Children of all ages and stages of development are able to participate and make some progress in their learning and development. The childminder provides suitable activities which are fun and adaptable to meet the individual needs of all children. Their welfare is generally promoted and the childminder has made links with parents to develop children's care and education. The childminder has taken some steps to improve her practice through written self-evaluation and discussion with parents.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the planning of activities incorporates children's next steps and assessments are used to track their developmental progress  ensure that written documentation, with particular reference to policies and procedures, is updated to reflect the Early Years Framework  ensure that necessary steps are taken to promote children's good health, with particular reference to nappy changing  develop knowledge of diversity to ensure that children’s understanding of religions and cultures is promoted.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that Ofsted is notified of changes of 01/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 circumstance as soon as possible and no later than 14 days after the change occurs (Suitable people). Also applies to the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register (Providing information to Ofsted).

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provision

The childminder has a range of written policies in place to ensure that children are protected at all times. However, these are not reviewed and have not been updated to reflect the Early Years Framework and therefore, are not fully consistent with current guidance. Children are generally safeguarded as the childminder has a safeguarding children policy, a fire evacuation procedure and a health and safety policy in place, all of which are shared with parents. She ensures that toys and resources are safe and suitable for children attending and that these can be easily adapted to meet the individual needs of all children.

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provision

The childminder has a written risk assessment in place which is completed regularly, both inside the home and on outings, to effectively minimise risks to children. However, Ofsted are not always informed of changes to the childminder's circumstances, potentially affecting children's welfare. The childminder regularly discusses the children's welfare and development with parents through verbal communication as well as two-way written documentation, promoting consistency. The childminder has begun to evaluate her practice in the form of verbal discussion with children and parents and she has completed a self-evaluation form, therefore, she has an awareness of her strengths and areas of improvement and demonstrates the capacity to improve.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are supported by the childminder who offers them a range of inside and outside opportunities which are quite often based on their interests and ideas. They enjoy visits to the local park and toddler groups on a regular basis and although the toys, which are age and stage appropriate, are stored out of the main play area they are able to make independent choices within the childminder's home. An example of this is where children choose to play with a collection of dinosaurs. They create their own game in which the dinosaurs have special energy and together they organise a picnic for the dinosaurs to enjoy. Therefore, children have opportunities to explore and develop their imaginations. Activities are planned on a monthly 'theme' basis and generally cover the six areas of learning. However, the planning of activities does not incorporate children's next steps which are recorded on the observations that are completed. The childminder is

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

generally aware of where children are in their learning and knows what to offer them. However, there are no formal assessments used to track children's progress and therefore, their developmental progress is not always clear.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder encourages the children to make choices and as they choose to watch a film about dinosaurs she asks them questions such as "are the dinosaurs This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 carnivores or herbivores". The children answer as their knowledge of dinosaurs is very good and this leads on to further conversations about healthy eating and the children's own favourite foods. Children's creativity is encouraged as there is a wide range of resources for children to use, to develop their skills in this area. The childminder generally supports the children in the activities whilst encouraging them to try things for themselves, promoting their independence. Children have access to a range of books and enjoy these either independently or together with the childminder. All children are treated with equal concern and respected individually. Their understanding of the wider world is developed through

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

discussion as there are limited opportunities to increase their knowledge of religions and cultures. The childminder is able to provide care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and she ensures that each child feels welcome in her home.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and have forged friendly and caring relationships with each other. They laugh together, share toys with each other and are kind to one another. They are encouraged to use appropriate behaviour and there are house rules in place that children are gently requested to follow, they are effectively praised by the childminder who encourages them to make the right choices. Their health and welfare are generally promoted as the childminder takes some steps to minimise the spread of infection. For example, they are encouraged to use wipes on their hands before meal times. However, children's health is not fully promoted at nappy changing time because the procedure is not appropriate and therefore, children's health is potentially compromised. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the Early Years section of the report (Providing information to Ofsted). 01/04/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the Early Years section of the report (Providing information to Ofsted). 01/04/2009

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