Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY233786 Inspection date 08 June 2005 Inspector Margaret Coyne

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2002. She lives with her partner and two children aged 8 years and 5 years. They live in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom on the first floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding three children on a full and part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder attends various local parent and toddler groups on a daily basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and well maintained home where they learn about good hygiene and personal care. They are developing an understanding of the reasons we wash our hands and are able to carry this out both with and without supervision. Children share in the cleaning of toys and equipment as the childminder introduces it as part of an activity. For example washing the dolls and play kitchen items and cars in the garden. Children are learning to respect and keep the toys in a clean and hygienic manner. The childminder employs suitable strategies which prevent infections spreading and these have a positive impact on the children's health. Children are developing a good awareness of healthy eating as they take part in cooking activities and enjoy meals with the childminder and her family. Children sit together at meal times and are introduced to new tastes and experiences. The

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder employs imaginative ways to present food to the children which makes meal times fun and interesting encouraging social skills and participation. Children enjoy a millennium dome dinner using sausages, mash for the dome and peas representing the river. Fresh ingredients are used to ensure children's diets are varied, and nutritious and to maintain their good health. Children also take part in creative activities using food as they make necklaces with red liquorice shoe laces and Cheerio cereals. The childminder takes account of parents wishes and any dietary requirements when providing and planning meals giving children familiar tastes to help them when settling in. Children are secure in the knowledge they can ask for favourite foods and drinks as a treat and there is always a second helping to satisfy appetites. Children take part in a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health

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Helping children to be healthy

and to keep them active as they learn control of their own bodies. They enjoy time out of the home as they attend a variety of toddler and childminding groups. Here they interact with other children and enjoy activities such as adventure parks, beach days, and Legoland where they operate sit and ride cars and obtain their own driving licence. When they are in the childminder's home they have energetic activities provided to increase their large motor skills. Children enjoy time in the garden as they jump on trampolines, climb and slide on frames and use bikes, cars, bats and balls. The childminder gives the children time to explore and use their imaginations and is on hand to offer support when required. Children's confidence is growing as they take part in activities with other children. The children competently use a range of small equipment to develop their dexterity and hand and eye coordination.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to sleep and rest in accordance to their own needs and routines are

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 kept in mind when planning their activities for the week. The childminder has all required records in place to promote children's health. She holds an up to date first aid certificate and has all relevant documentation in place and shared with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a safe environment where risks have been identified and minimized. The childminder safeguards children's welfare and has an excellent awareness of safety. Children are able to move around the home and garden and explore and take risks in a safe, controlled environment. Space and resources are organised to allow maximum free space for the children to enjoy and access safely. The childminder carries out a visual risk assessment of the premises and researches any outings and trips to ensure the children are protected from harm at all times. The children learn about keeping themselves safe both in and out of the home. They learn about acceptable behaviour and the impact this has on their safety. For example children know to hold hands when out of the home or to stay together with the childminder and the dangers of throwing toys or using the large trampoline

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

without supervision. Car safety is taught as children have appropriate sized car seats and restraints. All suitable measures are in place to ensure children gain an awareness of fire safety and they practise emergency evacuation drills with the childminder. However, fire exit plans are not in place detailing the exit points. Children have access to well maintained, developmentally appropriate toys and equipment. These are selected according to their age and abilities to ensure they gain maximum benefit from them and so they can play safely with them. Well thought out activities ensures the children's safety at all times. The childminder is attentive to her responsibility to protect the children in her care and shares responsibility with parents. She has completed additional training and has all supporting documents in place including a child protection procedure. She keeps all records up to date to provide a clear record of her practice and to ensure the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, secure and contented as they take part in an extensive range of activities both in and out of the home. Children have excellent opportunities to socialise with others as they attend regular toddler groups and childminder groups. The childminder arranges interesting trips and outings which the children benefit from as new experiences are explored. They have taken part in trips to the zoo, farm, Legoland, parks and the seaside where they have opportunity to dig holes and build sandcastles. Within these groups and outings the childminder enhances her

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 knowledge particularly in creative skills which in turn enriches the opportunities she presents for the children. Recently the children have enjoyed making pebble magnets where they have painted individual faces and been creative with Huma beads using their own designs and imaginations. The childminder is skilled at introducing the children to new experiences and provides a wide range of well presented toys and equipment. Children are free to access all items and play contentedly while the childminder is busy. Children confidently seek support when needed and have developed skills to tackle problems for themselves. For example one child persevered with a floor puzzle using great determination until he completed it for himself then proudly showed it off to the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from consistent support, praise and encouragement as they learn to become independent and to think things through for themselves. Warm relationships with the childminder has contributed to this confidence and to the progress the children make. Children's understanding in various topics such as nature and the wider world is extended through the childminders skill in being an active listener and talking with the children to encourage their natural curiosity. However, younger children would benefit from the childminder further increasing her knowledge and focusing her skills when planning purposeful activities for them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a positive attitude and provides children with a well balanced view of the world around them. This includes an awareness of diversity in society. They attend various toddler groups where they explore other cultures and beliefs. Recently the children have made pictures with silk at a toddler group after hearing a story about how a monk created silk. Children gain a further understanding with both familiar and unfamiliar events and celebrations. One child attending has multi lingual language skills which are shared with the other children and childminder. All children are accepted and valued and activities can be adapted to meet the needs of all children. The childminder demonstrates a genuine concern for all the children which contribute to their feelings of security. The childminder has developed a positive behaviour management policy which dwells on the positive rather than the negative. This ensures children develop good

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Helping children make a positive contribution

feelings about themselves and enhances their self-esteem and confidence. Children are encouraged to share and take turns and the childminder will only intervene if the children cannot resolve differences themselves. She has realistic expectations of the children, uses praise and encouragement and gives simple explanations when discussing right from wrong. This has a positive impact on the children's belief in themselves and promotes the fact that they can achieve things for themselves. Children are aware of the boundaries and know what is expected of them. The childminder has secure relationships with parents which impacts on the children's feelings of belonging and security. She takes time to discuss a child's day and the progress they make, thus involving parents in their child's care, learning and play. Parents are encouraged to participate, sharing information and any events

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 which may impact on their child. They are provided with a broad range of information about the practise and the high level of care their child receives.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are relaxed and secure in a well organised environment. The childminder organises routines and activities in order to meet the needs of all the children and to take account of individual sleep patterns. She has attended a range of additional training and workshops to enrich the experiences she provides for the children so they are stimulated and challenged in all areas of their play. For example she has completed her childminding and first aid courses, child protection course and workshops in connection with play and creative activities. Outings are highly organised to broaden the experiences offered to the children in a safe and secure manner. The childminder has well organised records and documentation which is used effectively to promote the care, welfare and learning of each child. Records are shared with parents and verbal information is provided about their children's

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Organisation

progress. An open, honest and trusting relationship impacts positively on the children. The childminder has developed an efficient system of record keeping, all of which are securely kept and up to date. Ratio's are maintained to enable her to fully support each child and meet their individual needs. She has developed a range of policies and procedures which are well implemented and shared with parents in order to promote the children's welfare. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the children attending.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to develop documentation to obtain written permission from parents to seek emergency treatment or advice and to administer medication. She was also asked to develop a system to record any medication given to a child. She has obtained all necessary written consents from parents to ensure a high standard of care can be provided for each child. The childminder was also asked to ensure any dangerous plants were inaccessible to children. She has cleared the garden of brambles and a tall fence was been erected to protect the children from any brambles from neighbours gardens

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted received concerns that a child in the provider's care had gone missing. Ofsted conducted an unannounced visit on 08 October 2004 to the provider and found that

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Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 such an incident did not occur. Ofsted are therefore satisfied that no further action is required in relation to the concern. However, following the visit an action was raised to ensure there is a system in place for recording attendance of children in her care and to ensure that all records are available for inspection at all times. A satisfactory response has been received to the actions and the provider remains qualified for registration.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • produce an emergency evacuation plan clearly showing the exits • further enhance practise and increase understanding of what younger children can enjoy and achieve, for example by using the Birth to three framework.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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