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 EY152325 Inspection date 30/03/2009 Inspector Hilary Preece

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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 with Ofsted in 2002. She lives with her husband, one adult son and two children aged nine and 13 years. They live in Bushey, Hertforshire within walking distance of schools, shops and local amenities. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with limited access upstairs for children to use the family bathroom. Older children may play upstairs. There is a secure garden with a gated patio area for outside play. The family has a dog and a rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register 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 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 takes and collects children from local schools. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder holds the NVQ Level 3 in Care, Learning and Development and has been awarded the Herts Quality Standards quality assurance certificate.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. All children and their families are welcomed and included. Children are respected as individuals and their interests and personalities are thoughtfully considered to enable them to participate in ways that suit them. There are positive partnership with parents and other settings children attend that ensures children's welfare needs and their progress in their learning and development are supported consistently. The environment is generally well planned and resourced to promote children's interest in learning. Procedures that keep children safe, secure and healthy are generally robust. Regular self-evaluation ensures that areas for future development are identified and acted upon, resulting in a setting that has good 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?

 plan an environment rich in signs, symbols, notices, numbers and words to support children's independence in selecting resources and understanding of communication, language and literacy  review risk assessments for outings to ensure they reflect the actual venues that children attend. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is professional and active in developing the service. She thrives on gaining new skills and knowledge in order to continually review her practice and improve the outcomes for children. She has attended numerous training sessions since her last inspection and gained an appropriate childcare qualification. Consequently she is confident in promoting children's learning and development and in implementing the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Self-evaluation processes take account of the views of children, parents and others who know her service well. For example, peer observations made by other childminders allow her to reflect on her practice in order to bring about further improvement.

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provision

Partnerships with parents are well established. Parents receive an informative welcome pack initially so they are familiar with the setting's policies, and the childminder gathers vital information from them about children's individual needs and interests to use as a starting point. There is a valuable two way flow of information and efficient record keeping to ensure information is shared. Daily diaries for babies and younger children are offered to parents as required as a means of sharing information about their daily care and routines, and parents are given regular access to the planning, photographs of their children and records of observations. Some positive links have been made with other settings delivering the EYFS that children attend to ensure continuity of care.

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provision

The childminder has a generally secure knowledge about the welfare requirements of the EYFS. Most safeguarding procedures are effective and well managed because she understands her general responsibilities in meeting children's health needs, keeping them safe and promoting their welfare. For example, she is vigilant in recording details of any accidents or injuries that children have or arrive with and she makes a point of finding out about particular medical needs so that she can safely administer appropriate treatment. She ensures children are safe around the home and garden by taking appropriate measures to minimise hazards and reviewing the environment regularly. Similar consideration is given to children's safety on outings but the risk assessments are less robust because they do not reflect all the places that children visit, which could mean some risks are overlooked.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children receive good levels of support to help them make progress in their learning and development. The childminder plans a stimulating range of regular outings, activities and experiences that help children develop good social skills and knowledge and understanding of their world. They frequently visit toddler groups, play parks, duck ponds and animal parks as well as exploring their local community on foot and on public transport. The environment is welcoming and well resourced. Children can reach toys easily from low-level storage boxes and baskets but there are no signs or labels to help them see what is inside or to develop their awareness of print. The childminder is knowledgeable about how children learn and develop. She makes good use of questioning to extend children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understanding throughout their play and daily routines. For example, children are

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

encouraged to count as they go up and down stairs, they begin to explore simple addition and subtraction problems when singing songs and rhymes, and they are encouraged to predict what will happen when they tip a bucket of sand upside down.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are relaxed and secure in their surroundings. The childminder makes detailed observations of children that record their progress and plan for their next steps in learning and development. Additional scrapbooks of photographs are shared with children and their parents to involve them in their learning. The childminder makes comprehensive plans in advance with other local childminders which include a number of joint activities and outings. These help children develop important social skills as they mix with other young children. Planned activities based on a current theme are always available for children to explore but they can choose whether to take part or not. This shows plans are sufficiently flexible to allow children to follow their individual interests as well as providing experiences based on a pre-determined theme. Children therefore remain interested and motivated.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged to manage their own welfare. They take pride in being independent and contributing positively to routines. They enjoy the responsibility of slicing up a banana and making sure that pieces are small enough for younger children to manage. They understand expectations for their behaviour, such as, tidying up and wearing suitable footwear in the garden. Children learn to manage their own personal care needs because resources are well organised. Wipes are readily available for them to clean sticky hands and noses when needed and a bowl of water and hand towels placed next to messy activities means they can wash their hands easily. Children are encouraged to lead active and healthy lifestyles. They benefit from regular outside play in the garden where they climb, bounce on the trampoline and explore sensory activities, such as, sand and water. They enjoy a range of fruits for snacks and make healthy choices from the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

selection of sandwich fillings offered. Food tasting activities help broaden their tastes and develop their understanding of foods from around the world. Children are made aware of their own safety through regular discussion and reinforcement. They understand that certain equipment, such as, booster seats keep them safe when sitting at the big table and they are reassured how to behave in a calm manner in order to protect themselves from a bee that is present around them in the garden. 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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