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 EY343987 Inspection date 13/05/2009 Inspector Gillian Charlesworth

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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 Janurary 2007 and is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). She lives with her two adult daughters in West Watford, Hertfordshire, close to shops, parks, and schools. The ground floor of the childminder’s home is used for childminding where there are toilet facilities. The first floor is not included in the registration. There is a secure level garden for outside play. The family have two pet cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered 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 four children in this age group, two of whom attend full-time school. She also offers care to one child aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from school and attends toddler and support groups on a regular basis, particularly to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children are secure and confident in the childminders care and are generally making steady progress in their learning and development. The childminder is mostly well organised and is conscientious. She fosters positive relationships with parents and shows a genuine commitment to working with other agencies to meet children’s individual needs overall. Children’s welfare needs are mostly well met and there is an enthusiasm to implement policies, procedures and documentation although these are not always robust. Self-evaluation has begun to be implemented and identifies the many strengths although areas to improve are not clearly defined.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve strategies to develop children’s behaviour and self-control helping them begin to accept the needs of others, with support, and have an awareness of the boundaries set and the behavioural expectations in the setting.

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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 a daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance is accurate and consistently maintained (Documentation - also applies to both parts of the 14/05/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Childcare Register)  ensure that Ofsted is notified of any serious accident illness or injury to any child whilst in their care and of the action taken in respect of it. Notification must be made as soon as is reasonably practicable, but in any event within 14 days of the incident occurring (Welfare of children being cared for - also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 14/05/2009

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provision

The childminder has devised a wide range of thoughtful policies and procedures and conscientiously ensures that the documentation supports children in most areas of their welfare and development. However, attendance records are not always accurate or consistently maintained. Overall, she has a sound knowledge of her safeguarding policy and understands the procedures to follow if concerned about child abuse. She implements strategies to promote children’s health overall and takes appropriate practical steps when children are involved in more serious accidental injuries resulting in emergency hospital treatment. However, the childminder is not aware of the requirement to notify Ofsted of such events which limits the effectiveness of procedures to manage children’s health. Children are generally well supervised and risks are well managed although behavioural boundaries are not always clearly defined or executed.

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provision

There are relaxed and positive relationships with parents who are well informed about children’s welfare through daily diaries, informal discussions and written information. This promotes continuity of care and enables children’s needs to be met overall. Parent feedback is positive and acknowledges the childminders ‘caring confidence’ and the outings that help children develop. They are not yet involved in the recently introduced assessment records although there are effective links with settings that some children attend. For example, the childminder attends regular support and assessment sessions for those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, enabling support and interactions to be tailored where it is most needed. This helps particular children to make good progress in aspects of their learning and development.

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provision

The childminder shows a sound capacity to improve. She has attended a wide range of training and is working towards a Level 3 qualification, plus accreditation for the Hertfordshire Quality Standards. She has successfully tackled the recommendation identified at the last inspection and ensures that snacks and meals are nutritious. However, her self-evaluation is not yet sufficiently robust to systematically identify aspects of the setting that most need improvement. She has worked hard on a written evaluation that identifies the many strengths. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Resources are well organised and generally accessible. Children are encouraged to follow their interests and select books. They show pride as they carry a stack of books to a comfortable area to read. This helps them to develop their strength and gross motor skills through play, and focuses on an aspect of development that is purposefully identified by other professionals as beneficial. Children enjoy sitting together calmly with the childminder who reads their favourite stories and encourages them to wait for their turn to choose a story. Children extend their understanding of shape, space and measure as the childminder names different shapes and talks about some in more detail, for example, explaining the difference between a square and a rectangle. Russian dolls are introduced for children to explore and predict what’s inside. These are challenging and suit older children’s capabilities therefore they concentrate well and are motivated to try and solve

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

problems; beginning to sort, match and count.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

As a result, children are making progress in most areas of their learning, taking part in a range of activities and experiences. The childminder is calm and respectful overall and warmly introduces school children to visitors to help them feel at ease. They engage in positive conversations when the childminder asks them about aspects of their lives that are meaningful such as a recent birthday party. However, behavioural boundaries are not always clearly defined or consistently managed therefore children often behave inappropriately, dominating others’ activities, boisterously jumping on the furniture which is reported to be outside the ground rules, and sometimes struggling to play harmoniously after school. When they are encouraged to tidy away, this is not followed through which limits the extent that they are learning to take responsibility. However, children are generally encouraged to develop good manners and use conventions such as

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

please. As they play a game with coloured counters, the childminder finds strategies to help them to pay together harmoniously. Consequently, they settle well as each is provided with their own coloured counters and are encouraged to use a specific posting area to minimise potential frustrations. These are purposefully passed to the children using simple number labels and enabling them to spontaneously predict the next number.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children move freely between indoors and outdoors after school and enjoy exercise as they kick balls and play noisily in the fresh air, developing their health and well-being. There is a particular emphasis on activities outside the minded home such as visits to the park and picnics. Community activities such as ‘The Big Toddle’ are planned and resources sought in advance to motivate children to take part in this group exercise session. They develop their self-care skills overall, visiting the toilet and washing their hands independently while having support to identify and use their own towel. The childminder thoughtfully plans meals to suit children’s preferences and they are generally encouraged to sit sociably at a low- level table when eating. Home cooked food is often provided although interactions and supervision is sometimes limited when the childminder spends a lot of time preparing meals at tea time. Nevertheless children confidently approach her for

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

support or to settle arguments and she is very responsive. A variety of fruit is provided each day and the childminder talks to children about the positive effects This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of vitamins and minerals to develop their health and bodily awareness.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Strategies to help children learn about keeping safe include singing songs about road or fire safety and using a simple game and props to practise fire evacuation procedures. Children have opportunities to use information and communication technology and are helped to find a simple computer programme that they can all take part in. 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? 4 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 (Keeping records) 14/05/2009  take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Provision of information). 14/05/2009

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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 (Keeping records) 14/05/2009  take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Provision of information). 14/05/2009

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