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 EY361164 Inspection date 24/07/2009 Inspector Jane Mount

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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 was registered in October 2007. She lives with her husband in a property that is situated in South Oxhey, Hertfordshire. It is close to shops, parks and schools. All areas of the house are included in the registration, although the ground floor is mainly used for childminding purposes. The garden is not included in the registration except for the patio area. The family has a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The registration is for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, including three children in the early years age range. The childminder is currently caring for one child on a part-time basis who is in the early years age range. She also provides care for two of her grandchildren who are two years of age. Overnight care is not provided.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is inadequate. Children and parents are welcomed into the setting and children are happy and settled in the childminders care. However, the childminder's knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is insufficient to fully promote children's welfare, learning and development and to ensure their individual needs are fully met. The childminder has friendly and informal relationships with parents but she is not effectively delivering the EYFS because of the lack of some required documentation. Consequently, children's welfare and their learning and development are not fully supported. The childminder does demonstrate a commitment to improving outcomes for children and shows a willingness to develop her practice although processes of self- evaluation to ensure continued improvement have not yet been introduced.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the early years provision requires significant improvement. The registered person is given a Notice to Improve that sets out actions to be carried out.

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further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date:

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further?

 request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 17/08/2009  make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 17/08/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  ensure an effective safeguarding children policy and procedure is in place and obtain and have regard to relevant publications and guidance including 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused - Summary' (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 17/08/2009  improve knowledge and understanding of the EYFS so that children are provided with an educational programme that will enable them to make progress towards the early learning goals in all areas of their learning (Organisation). 17/08/2009

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further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop further the risk assessment to ensure it covers anything with which a child may come into contact  improve the organisation of documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the setting and to meet the needs of the children  implement a quality improvement process, such as self-evaluation, to monitor and extend effective practice and to ensure continued improvement.

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provision

The leadership and management of the provision does not fully support children's welfare and learning because the childminder has an insecure knowledge of the EYFS and its requirements. Since registering the childminder has undertaken some training, including the required childminding registration course and first-aid training. However, she has not kept up-to-date with changes including the implementation of the EYFS framework in September 2008. Consequently she has not identified some of her weaknesses as she is not familiar with the requirements of the EYFS. Documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the setting and to protect and safeguard children is limited. For example, contracts and children's information is obtained from parents and children's attendance is recorded. However, information relating to parental consents, including for emergency medical treatment is not maintained and the childminder has not

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provision

developed a procedure for parents to follow if they have a concern or complaint. No written policies or procedures are maintained or records to show children's progress or achievements. The childminder verbally shares information with parents. Consequently, children's individual needs may not be fully promoted. The childminder acknowledges her knowledge of the EYFS is minimal and recording systems and the organisation of required documentation are areas needing further improvement. She shows a willingness to improve outcomes for children. For example, actions set at the registration visit have been successfully addressed and verbal feedback is sought from parents. However, no systems are yet in place, such as self-evaluation, to effectively monitor and review her practice to ensure continued improvement.

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provision

The childminder is supportive to children in their play and organises her daily This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 routine around the needs of the children in her care, such as, their sleeps and mealtimes. She understands the importance of working closely with parents and has built friendly but informal relationships with parents. Information is exchanged with parents through daily discussions. The childminder ensures the environment is safe. For example, on-going visual risk assessments ensure children remain safe and the childminder is in the early stages of developing a written record of how potential hazards are identified and minimised to protect children. The childminder has some knowledge and understanding of how to safeguard children and has previously attended some child protection training. However, she does not have a clear understanding of the procedures she would follow if she did have a concern

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provision

and child protection guidance booklets have been mislaid. Children's welfare is protected as the childminder ensures she closely supervises children at all times.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has an insecure knowledge of the learning and development requirements of the EYFS and therefore, children's learning may be hindered. She is generally aware of children's capabilities but observation and assessment systems are not in place to clearly identify children's achievements and progress over time. Therefore, children's individual learning needs are not identified and they are not making good progress towards the early learning goals. Planning is informal and is mainly led by children's interests. Children experience a range of activities and play experiences which generally support their learning and development. The environment is organised with some resources accessible so children can make independent choices. The childminder supports children in their play asking questions and engaging them in conversation to develop their early language and communication skills. For example, they look at books together and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

talk about the pictures or discuss shapes and colours when completing jigsaw puzzles or playing with a shape sorter. Children enjoy exploring sound when playing with some musical interactive toys. Their physical skills are generally promoted with opportunities to exercise, incorporated into the daily routine. For example, they go for walks to a local children's park.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Some strategies are used by the childminder to promote and safeguard the welfare of the children in her care with some generally good hygiene practices in place to minimise the risk of cross-infection. For example, effective nappy changing procedures minimise the risk of cross-infection. Children are beginning to learn about personal care routines as they are helped by the childminder to wash their hands before eating and may discuss the reasons for doing so. Children learn about healthy eating through discussion and are encouraged to drink water and to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. Children are developing an understanding of how to stay safe. For example, when out walking they discuss road safety and how to cross the road safely. Children's behaviour is managed appropriately with praise and encouragement used to promote children's self-esteem. Children are learning to share and to take turns.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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? 4 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? 4

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 4 How well are children helped to be healthy? 4 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 4 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

 put in place a written procedure for dealing with concerns and complaints from parents and keep a record of complaints and their outcome (Procedures for dealing with complaints; also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 17/08/2009  put in place a written procedure for safeguarding children (Arrangements for safeguarding children; also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 17/08/2009

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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 compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 17/08/2009  take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Arrangements for safeguarding children). 17/08/2009

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