Childminder in HertfordshireOfsted inspection, 18 Jun 2009

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 EY370601 Inspection date 18/06/2009 Inspector Hilary Preece

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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 registered in 2008. She lives with her husband, one child aged four years and one adult son. They live in Borehamwood close to local shops, schools and amenities. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding, with access to a first floor bathroom and secure garden for outside play. The childminder has a tank of fish as pets.

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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 to care for a maximum of five children under eight years, at any one time. She is currently minding four children in the early years age group at different times. Her husband works as a childminding assistant. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends a number of local groups and activities for children.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment with a key strength being the positive nature of relationships and children's behaviour. Information is shared appropriately with parents and carers to ensure children's needs are met. Children make suitable progress because the childminder has a sound understanding of children's needs and how to support their learning and development. Most arrangements for ensuring children's welfare, health and safety are sufficient. There is a respectable capacity to make further improvements because self-evaluation is generally effective in identifying and addressing areas for development.

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further?

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

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further?

 use observations of children to identify and plan for their next steps in learning and development  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips  review the safeguarding policy to ensure the procedure to follow in the event of allegations being made against the childminder is clear and telephone numbers for reporting concerns are up-to-date  ensure assistants hold a paediatric first aid certificate if they are to remain in sole charge of the children on the premises.

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provision

The childminder shows enthusiasm for what she does and works hard at developing her childminding practice in order to benefit the children and develop her own skills and knowledge. She is beginning to self-evaluate and reflect on This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 what she does well and where she can make future improvements. Consequently, she has attended a range of training courses recently and has secured further training in the near future. Evidence shows that she uses new knowledge and information from training to improve her practice. For example, a course about risk assessments has helped her think about how she carries out her own risk assessments and how these can be made more rigorous.

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provision

Policies, procedures and records to promote children's safety and welfare have been reviewed so that most meet requirements. However, the safeguarding children policy lacks sufficient detail to make it fully robust and there are no written records of risk assessments relating to outings. Nevertheless, her procedures for keeping children safe on outings are sound and she demonstrates confidently through discussion how she minimises risks and plans for emergencies when visiting local venues and travelling in the car. Children therefore remain safe.

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provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are positive. A friendly approach is adopted that allows information about the service and daily feedback to be shared sufficiently. Regular opportunities are provided to share children's developmental records with their parents. Any developmental issues are discussed to help the childminder to meet children's changing needs. Parents comment on how approachable they find the childminder and appreciate how she supports children's social skills in particular. She is beginning to think about how she can extend links with other settings children attend to ensure continuity and share information where appropriate.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder continues to develop her knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She plans appropriate activities and experiences for children in order to support their learning and development. These include regular outings to children's farms, indoor adventure play centres, toddler groups and library story time sessions. Simple observations are made of children that are recorded in scrap books and are linked to the six areas of learning and development. However, as yet these are not used fully to plan for the next steps in children's learning and development. Despite this, it is clear the childminder understands children's needs and focuses attention on developing particular aspects of their development where needed. Children, for example, develop confidence, gain good social skills and learn to behave well.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are emotionally secure and self-assured in the childminder's company. They relate well to both the childminder and her assistant. The environment and activities are well planned to encourage children to explore and make independent choices in what they do. For example, children decide on one day that they would like to make 'Alien Shakers' so the following day the childminder makes sure she provides everything they need for the activity. Children generally remain motivated and interested in what they are doing because they are supported appropriately. They express their own ideas in how to decorate their shakers and talk with confidence about colours and materials they are using. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children benefit from the freedom of moving between inside and outside play. They have plenty of opportunities to develop their physical skills by using play

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

apparatus in the garden. They learn about living things through growing plants from seed. They explore natural materials such as sand and water and are helped to investigate the different properties of dry and wet sand. The childminder shows them, for example, that sand castles can be made from wet sand. Children's literacy, numeracy and knowledge of information and communication technology (ICT) is supported through everyday play and routines. Emphasis is placed on encouraging clear language and communication. Alphabet and number cards are used at appropriate times to help children count and recognise letters and numerals, with additional challenge provided for older children to help with early reading and writing. A children's laptop is also used to support problem solving and to introduce children to ICT.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is promoted appropriately through daily routines and activities. They become aware of safe behaviour through using the trampoline and scissors carefully. Children are encouraged to sit around the table when eating and reminded not to walk with food in their mouth. This instils safe and respectful expectations for behaviour. Sound hygiene practices are followed at meal times and in personal care routines. Children take responsibility for using tissues appropriately and washing their hands after using the toilet and before eating. Snack and meal times are used to encourage children to try new and nutritious foods that are important for their health. Children's health is further supported by the childminder's up-to-date training in first aid. However, arrangements have not been made for her assistant to complete first aid training, which restricts opportunities for him to work unsupervised with the children. Children are readily

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

praised in their play and good manners encouraged. Consequently, children develop the self-esteem and confidence necessary to enable them to develop habits and behaviour of good learners. 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? 3 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: 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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