Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY331586 Inspection date 14/09/2009 Inspector Jacqui Lloyd

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 2006. She lives with her husband, who may act as her assistant, and their four children of pre-school and school age. The home is situated in a residential road in Ashtead, Surrey. The entire ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the Voluntary and Compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently caring for five children on a part-time basis. The family have two cats and pet rabbits.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care and benefit from very close and positive relationships with her. The childminder is very attentive to the children's individual needs and plans and provides an exciting range of fun and interesting activities and learning opportunities tailored according to their likes, interests and abilities. The childminder works very closely with parents to ensure they are fully involved in their child's learning and development and aware of all aspects of their care and welfare needs.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's healthy development is seen as a priority and the childminder ensures all children have regular opportunities to play in the fresh air, be physically active and enjoy healthy and nutritious home-cooked meals. The childminder regularly reviews and updates her records, policies and written documents and is committed to the ongoing improvement of her childminding provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop links with other settings attended by the children to ensure effective partnership working takes place and information regarding children's achievements, interests and development is shared regularly

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the early years provision

The childminder is exceptionally committed to providing good quality care for children and has made significant changes and developments to her practice. She has reviewed all of her documentation and updated many policies and written documents, demonstrating her thorough knowledge of the Early Years Foundation This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Stage (EYFS). She maintains detailed and well-organised records which contribute towards the safe and efficient management of her provision.

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the early years provision

She is also keen to develop her practice further and has a very positive attitude towards training and her own continuing professional development. Having carried out a comprehensive evaluation of her childminding business she has identified areas that she wishes to develop and further training that she would like to attend. She attends training courses and conferences to ensure she is aware of changes and development in childcare. She sets clear and realistic targets for herself and is a dedicated and hard-working practitioner.

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the early years provision

She is fully informed about her responsibilities regarding safeguarding and has devised written policy statements which she shares with parents to ensure they are aware of her procedures relating to this.

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the early years provision

The childminder is exceptionally committed to working closely with parents and provides an abundance of written information for them about her policies, procedures and the children's developmental needs. She uses a daily contact book to keep parents informed about the children's care needs and consults parents in the assessment of children's learning and development needs. She also seeks feedback from parents using a questionnaire and responds quickly to any queries or issues that may arise as a result.

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the early years provision

The childminder undertakes regular observations of the children and subsequently assesses their developmental needs based on this information. She has identified clear and appropriate targets for each of the children and reviews these regularly to assess children's progress. She also successfully involves parents in this process to ensure a consistent approach is achieved. The childminder works closely with another registered childminder who shares the care of one of the children, however links with other settings involved in the children's care and education have not yet been fully established.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care and benefit from very close, caring relationships with her. She recognises each child as an individual and works hard to meet their specific needs and works closely with parents to achieve this.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy taking part in a range of fun and interesting activities. For example, children recently enjoyed activities and games centred on topic work about Australia. Children took part in a range of activities that provided learning opportunities in all six areas of learning. The childminder understands the children's individual needs and recognises that some children need to learn and experience activities in a different way to their peers. For example, she knows what their likes and interests are and during one recent activity recognised that not all the children were fully engaged. Therefore she quickly adapted it in an attempt to capture their imagination and attention and to ensure they were all able This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to participate and benefit from it. This demonstrates that she intuitively understands the children's needs and is keen to ensure all children enjoy fun and

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit greatly from the childminder's knowledge and understanding of healthy development. Children enjoy a range of healthy and nutritious meals and lots of rigorous physical exercise and fresh air. Children also enjoy taking part in activities that help them to understand about healthy lifestyles such as growing vegetables in the garden.

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and outcomes for children

Children are kept safe as the childminder undertakes detailed risk assessments and supervises children well. Having made areas safe for children, she also encourages children to take measured risks when playing to help them learn how to keep themselves safe.

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and outcomes for children

Children relate well to one another and are encouraged to be kind and respectful and learn about the needs of others. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

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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