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 EY225617 Inspection date 28/05/2009 Inspector Susan Tuffnell

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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 2003. She lives with her husband who works alongside her as a registered childminder on the same premises and their three children aged eleven, nine and seven. The family live in a residential area of St Albans, Hertfordshire. The whole of the bungalow is used for childminding purposes, except the main bedroom which is kept locked during the day. There is a large conservatory which is used as a playroom and a fully enclosed secure rear garden. The premises are accessible with a ramp at the side entrance.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care every weekday during term time and school holidays. She is registered on the Early Years Register and compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for three children on the Early Years Register and currently six children attend on part-time and flexible contracts. The childminder currently provides care for five children on the Compulsory Childcare Register (CCR) and three children attend on the Voluntary Childcare Register (VCR). All the children share the same facilities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and works in partnership with parents, carers and other professional. She is a National Childminding Association accredited childminder and is approved by the Children's Schools and Families (CSF) as a community childminder. She supports children with special educational needs and children with English as an additional language and holds a recognised qualification in childcare and education.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder offers a safe, secure and welcoming environment that supports children effectively in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Children are highly valued at the setting and excellent attention is shown to their individual needs. Equality and inclusion, and the diversity of individuals and communities is valued and respected. Excellent work is carried out by the childminder to forge close links with parents and carers. The childminder has developed secure relationships with other professionals to ensure that the individual needs of children are continuously met. The childminder has started the self-evaluation process and has prioritised plans for the future. She continues to reflect and assess all aspects of her practice.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 ensuring that information about children's starting points is collected from parents and carers to inform planning for each individual child  ensure that children's identified learning needs are carried forward, implemented into future planning and evaluated to give a clear picture of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 progress.

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provision

The childminder manages the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provision well. She demonstrates a positive attitude to continuous improvement. Effective steps are taken to evaluate the provision for children’s welfare, learning and development. For example, excellent feedback from parents on all aspects of the educational programme. The excellent knowledge, experience and enthusiasm of the childminder ensures that all aspect of the provision are well-led. Effective implementation of the comprehensive policies, records and procedures support the safe and efficient management of the setting and ensure that the needs of all the children are met. Robust safeguarding procedures are consistently implemented to ensure that children are protected.

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provision

The childminder provides a truly inclusive service that promotes children's welfare requirements well. She understands and engages in reflective practice, respecting diversity and valuing a child as a unique individual. Consequently, inclusive practice is promoted so that all children have their welfare requirements met very well. The close partnership with parents contributes significantly to ensuring that the needs of all the children are met and parents are extremely complimentary about the individual service given to their children. Making links with the school about the children's development and care enables the childminder to support children at the setting and help raise their confidence with the transition to school.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make good progress in all areas of learning and development, and are offered a stimulating range of opportunities and activities. The individual and flexible approach to planning ensures that children's uniqueness is highly valued because activity planning is securely based on their individual interests and current developmental needs. The childminder has a secure knowledge of child development and offers the children extensive support and encouragement which enables them to be fully involved and active in their learning. Children settle well and build secure relationships with others, because of the flexible settling-in arrangements. Observations and assessments are carried out by the childminder. However, identification of children's starting point is not secure enough to inform planning and their identified learning needs are not carried forward or implemented into future planning to give a clear picture of progress.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder supports the children well and encourages them to play imaginatively and be creative. Children show interest and enthusiasm in a range of purposeful and developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor activities which provide good levels of challenge. For example, the well resourced outdoor area encourages children to practise physical skills as they ride bikes, jump on the trampoline and play group games. Children join together for the parachute game and encourage each other to carry out a series of movements outside and under the parachute. Children are happy and sociable. They seek out friends and play This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 cooperatively together, taking roles and sharing resources. They are self-motivated and have a good level of independence. For example, they serve themselves at snack time, are confident in toileting, choose resources freely and instigate play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Warm, trusting relationships with the childminder ensure that children are valued as unique individuals, supported well and their needs sensitively met.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a very safe, secure environment because the childminder has an excellent knowledge of this area. She has completed a thorough risk assessment which covers all areas of the home, garden and outings. Young children are beginning to understand about taking care of themselves and others as they practise regular fire drills and help tidy the toys. The childminder has a clear understanding of issues relating to safeguarding children and has ensured that she has relevant information and contact details. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 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

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