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 EY319415 Inspection date 23/06/2009 Inspector Lynn Denise Smith

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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 three children aged 15, nine and five years in Hertford. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house and the bathroom on the first floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. She takes children to the library and to the park. The childminder has regular links with other local childminders.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding four children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. Two of the children are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 12 years. This provision is registered 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 has a pet dog. A low step to the main door provides access to the premises. The bathroom is situated on the first floor. The childminder provides parents with a written prospectus which provides them with details about her service.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. Children are extremely well- cared for within this childminder's home; their individual needs are recognised, acknowledged and catered for in a professional and inclusive setting. Children have extensive opportunities to make progress across all six areas of learning and their beautifully presented learning journeys map their achievements in a professional and interesting way. The children's learning environment provides superb opportunities for children to explore and learn in safe and stimulating spaces. The childminder has fully embraced the EYFS and has developed her systems and procedures to ensure that children within the EYFS age range are fully benefiting from their time in her care. An effective self-evaluation process enables the childminder to identify areas for future improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop opportunities to work in partnership with other providers delivering the EYFS to ensure progression and continuity of care. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children are cared for by an extremely well-organised and proficient childminder who has been operating for approximately three years. The childminder shows commitment to extending and progressing her childcare knowledge through appropriate training and through support networks within her local childminding community. The childminder makes very good use of workshops and seminars organised by her Local Authority and uses the newly gained information to review and evaluate her existing practises.

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provision

Children are extremely well-safeguarded as the childminder demonstrates sound knowledge about her responsibilities with regards to protecting the children in her care. She monitors the visitors to her premises and always supervises minded children. All adults are appropriately vetted and proof of their clearance is available. The home is extremely well risk-assessed and the childminder checks her premises inside and outside before children arrive each day.

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provision

An extensive set of written policies and procedures support the childminder's practices and are effectively shared with parents. All written documentation is regularly reviewed to ensure that the childminder has up-to-date information about the children in her care. All policies reflect her commitment to providing a fully inclusive provision. Links with parents are good and the childminder is developing her links with other settings providing for the EYFS.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's learning, development and welfare needs are superbly met by a caring and professional childminder. Children develop extensive knowledge about keeping healthy and safe as they follow the childminder's clear guidance which provides them with the opportunities to think critically for themselves. For example, with the assistance of the childminder, they work out what they need to wear when they play outdoors in the sun. They each have a specific colour within the childminder's home and know that all of their plates, cups, cutlery and hand towels will correspond to that colour, reducing the possibility of cross infection. Children are very active and fit and have excellent opportunities to experience physical play both indoors and outdoors. They access an exciting range of toys and tools within the childminder's home and play on and interesting selection of large scale outdoor equipment in the garden. Children develop a very healthy understanding about

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

foods which are good for them and actively participate in the preparation of meals and snacks. For example, they make fruit salad from a range of different fruits, an activity which not only promotes healthy eating but provides learning opportunities connected with matching, counting, sorting and simple calculation.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children's play environment is bright, colourful and fun. They move freely around the ground floor of the childminder's home and benefit considerably from the newly extended dining room which also acts as a playroom. Toys and play equipment is presented at the children's height enabling them to make firm choices about their play. Children freely access a fully enclosed and very well- This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 equipped rear garden. The garden affords a good amount of play space and is effectively organised to provide children with exciting physical play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very settled and comfortable within the childminder's care. They chat confidently to her, drawing her into their games and enjoying the caring and warm interaction they receive from her. They have superb opportunities to develop their understanding about other people's differing needs through books, resources and activities. Parents play a very active role in their children's learning as they share important information with the childminder about their children's home backgrounds, likes and developmental starting points. The childminder continually reflects on her practises to identify the strengths and weaknesses of her setting and implements effective changes where necessary.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have fun at this childminder's home. They laugh and giggle as they share special moments during their everyday play. For example, the two plastic yellow ducks bobbing around in the water tray suddenly become 'mummy and baby' with the childminder directing the baby ducks' actions and children deciding how the game will develop. Their play takes them down the road of the ducks needing medical assistance from a vet. The childminder spontaneously extends this line of thought by providing a doctor's/vet's costume from the dressing up clothes box and some pretend medical equipment. The young vet carefully injects the duck to make it feel better and informs the childminder what action she must take to keep it well. The duck play game enables children to explore all six areas of learning in one activity, For example, they converse, using new and appropriate vocabulary. They plan a story line, enabling it to evolve and change. They explore water and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

the concepts of floating and sinking. They use tools, including a syringe, to suck in and squirt out water. They count the ducks whilst singing 'five little ducks went swimming one day' only to realise that they don't have enough ducks. This enables them to calculate how many more they will need to buy next time they go shopping. Above all, they creatively express themselves, relaying real and imaginary experiences. Throughout this play session, their learning is superbly supported by the childminder who allows herself to follow the children's interests and facilitate their learning. Clear and informative observations of the children's achievements enables the childminder to assess their progress and plan effectively for their next steps. 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? 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? 1 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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