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 EY309664 Inspection date 24/06/2009 Inspector Kelly Eyre

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged 15 and 10 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a first floor bedroom for children requiring undisturbed rest. Children have access to the fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The property is accessed by a low step and facilities are located on the ground floor.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care on each weekday during term-time and school holidays. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

Children on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register share the same facilities as those on the Early Years Register. There are currently six children on roll, three of whom, are in the early years age range.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder maintains a positive attitude to self-evaluation, developing clear plans for the future and therefore offering a service which is sensitive to children's needs. Children are consistently offered appropriate support, ensuring that they are included and benefit from the activities offered. The childminder's thoughtful incorporation of children's interests into the overall planning is a particular strength, meaning that they are offered activities that capture their interest and inspire them to extend their play and learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the planning and assessment procedures to include an initial assessment for each child and to show how children's next developmental steps are fed into the overall planning.

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provision

The conscientious implementation of practical safety policies and the regular review of risk assessments help to ensure that children are cared for in a safe, secure environment. They are gaining a good understanding of safety issues through ongoing explanations and participating in associated activities. For example, their full participation in emergency evacuation procedures means that they understand the relevance of these and the importance of fire safety. Children's welfare is promoted because the childminder has a good understanding of issues relating to safeguarding children and also ensures that she has all This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 relevant information and contact details.

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provision

The childminder evaluates her daily practice, actively seeking feedback from parents and participating in a wide range of additional training to help inform and review her work. She identifies areas for improvement and develops clear plans for the future, to lead to the potential to improve outcomes for children. For example, she has identified a number of further training courses that will enable her to extend her knowledge and further improve the daily care she offers.

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provision

The childminder's good relationships with parents and carers ensure that there is a thorough exchange of information, enabling her to provide consistent care and support. Parents are well informed of their child's progress and activities through regular discussions and the sharing of children's records and photographs of their daily play. The childminder also works in partnership with others providing care for the children, to further ensure consistency and the promotion of children's development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are offered a wide range of interesting activities that support them in making good progress across all areas of learning. The childminder gets to know each child well and is therefore aware of their individual interests and current developmental stages. She uses this information and that gained from observations to influence daily activity planning. However, children's development is not promoted to the optimum because the assessment and planning procedures do not include an initial assessment and do not fully utilise information regarding the next developmental steps for each child.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder's confident, flexible approach to daily planning means that children are encouraged to develop their own play and are offered appropriate support and encouragement in this. For example, when children choose to play with bean bags the childminder demonstrates how to throw and catch these, with the children moving on to balancing them on their heads. Good forward-planning means that children enjoy the activities and are offered a wide range of experiences. For example, children laugh and giggle as they explore a large bowl of jelly, describing the texture and smell and naming the hidden bugs and creatures as they discover them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The inclusion of realistic activities means that children are encouraged to explore and their awareness is increased. For example, their daily play incorporates the use of dressing-up clothes, reference books and flags of the world, whilst structured activities, such as food tasting and learning basic words in other languages, increase their awareness of other cultures and traditions. The childminder's thoughtful planning and her use of information about the children, means that they are offered activities that interest them and encourage them to think further. For example, they enjoy regular trips to a nearby railway bridge, where they identify the different trains and discuss their speed and destination. The inclusion of additional trips further extends children's knowledge. They enjoy visiting local farms, the swimming pool, a soft play area, and local places of 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

The accessible resources encourage children to explore and extend their understanding. For example, children choose to play with tents, carefully setting these up and working out how to use the tunnel to join them. Their enjoyment is further enhanced and they are offered an extended range of resources because they regularly join the childminder on visits to the toy library, where they are involved in making choices about additional toys and equipment. Children's knowledge is extended because the childminder provides additional resources. For example, children were able to watch the process of larvae turning into white butterflies.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Good planning means that children regularly attend appropriate groups, providing opportunities for an extended range of activities and enabling children to interact with their peers. For example, they enjoy music sessions, where they sing and explore a range of instruments. Good use is made of outdoor areas to extend children's learning and encourage their appreciation of the natural environment. They help plant vegetable seeds, tend these, harvest the vegetables and take them home to eat. 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

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