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 EY258146 Inspection date 06/03/2009 Inspector Tina Kelly

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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 registered in 2003. She lives her husband and three children aged 8,9 and thirteen years. They live in the village of Abbots Langley on the outskirts of Watford in Hertfordshire. The whole house is used for childminding. Children do not generally access upstairs other than to use the family bathroom. The children have access to the secure garden for outside play. The premises is accessed via steps to the front door, the back garden is also accessed by steps down. The family keep two degu, chinchilla like pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, the voluntary and compulsory part of the Childcare Register to provide care for a maximum of four children under the age of eight years at any one time. She currently has part time arrangements for two children in the early years age group and one child aged eight years around school times.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is currently minding two children, part time who are in the early years age group as well as a sibling around school times.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder meets the individual needs of the children in her care and aims to provide a fully inclusive setting for all children. The childminder provides an environment where children feel at home and are making progress in their learning and development. She maintains most of the documents needed to monitor the safety of the children and the smooth running of the setting. The childminder has a positive attitude to developing her practice; this ensures there is capacity to maintain continuous improvement

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further?

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

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further?

 review the risk assessments and fire drill procedures to ensure detail is relevant to the areas used by the children and that they are dated to show they are implemented on a regular basis  establish a system of observations and assements to show how children are making progress and use these records to influence future planning.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop a risk assessment for each type of outing to ensure the safety of the children (Welfare Requirement 1, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children). 22/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is keen to improve and promote her childminding service. She seeks advice from the local authority development team. She has taken appropriate action with regards to recommendations made at the last inspection and has recently updated her skills by attending the Introduction to Childminding Practice course. She evaluates her practice and plans for future training to increase her knowledge of how children learn, taking into account the early years framework.

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provision

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a clear understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) procedures and the action to be taken if she has concerns about children in her care. Parents are informed about her commitment to protecting children as there is a child protection statement in the parent portfolio and information from the LSCB is on display. Most documents are in place and fully implemented to monitor and maintain the safety and well being of the children. Whilst some detail is in place with regards to risk assessments for both the home and outings the detail is not specific to the childminders situation and the records do not show dates or how often the assessments are carried out. This has implications on the overall safety of the children both in the home and out in the community.

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provision

The childminder is fully aware of the individual needs of the young children in her care. She has developed strong relationships with the parents as children have been cared for since they were young babies. The longstanding arrangements mean that children are very happy and settled with their carer. Families receive daily information on the children's personal care routines and detail of the experiences the children have taken part in during the day. Strong relationships develop between young children, they play alongside each other, share toys, cooperate and take turns. This behaviour is reinforced by the childminder who uses consistent praise to promote positive behaviour. The childminder provides a wide range of age-appropriate play and learning experiences for all the children in her care. A good selection of toys and resources are stored at low-level to ensure children of all ages can make independent choices about their play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have many opportunities to learn and develop their early years skills through a balance of adult and child-led activities. The childminder makes provision for older children and has resources and games readily available for out of school care. The flexible plan of activities are adapted to reflect the children's individual interests and capabilities. The childminder makes sure children have time and space to play and extend their ideas. She identifies their likes and interests to provides appropriate activities that ensure the children remain interested and keen to learn. Children's language and comprehension is promoted through good verbal interaction. The childminder is a good role model, she asks appropriate open This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ended questions to extend the young children's understanding of the different opportunities made available to them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged to make choices about their play. They have easy access to a varied selection of resources. The childminder adapts and changes the resources for the young children. She skilfully extends the children's play. A simple game of cars gradually developed to include a large garage and a wide selection of different vehicles. This provides children with opportunities to cooperate and negotiate their play boundaries in a safe and well managed environment.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health and well-being are an integral part of the daily and weekly routines. The childminder has a healthy eating approach to the food she provides. Children are very familiar with the mid morning snack time. They set out the mat to sit on, accompany the childminder to the kitchen to wash their hands and to select crackers and have their drinks refreshed. They are confident and able to sit and eat with good manners with good verbal support from their carer. The children are encouraged to find out about their community. Children are learning about their own safety. They are confident in sharing simple rules with visitors that show they have a good understanding of the importance of holding hands and holding onto the pushchair when out walking. They benefit from the use of books and resources which reflect the wider world. When children bring the 'Travel Teddy' from pre-school he is included in the snack time with his own plate and bread

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

sticks. Photographs are taken to support developing links with the pre-school and to be shared with parents to enhance the children's sense of belonging at the different settings.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is working within the Early Years framework and has a sound understanding of how children learn. She is aware of how establishing a system of observations and assessments and linking them to the early learning goals to show how children are making progress will assist her in planning challenging activities for the future. This will ensure children's play and learning is promoted through interesting experiences that meet the needs of all children. 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? 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 that has required the provider to take any actions

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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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