Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY390298 Inspection date 16/09/2009 Inspector Kim Wailling

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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 registered in 2009. She lives with her husband, one adult child and two children aged 15 years and six years in St Albans, Hertfordshire. The whole of the childminder's house, except the smallest bedroom and utility room, is used for childminding. The whole of the rear garden is available for children to use. There is level access to the childminder's house and garden. The family has a dog and a cockatiel as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The registration is for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time including three children in the early years age group. She is currently caring for two in the early years age group and two school aged children. Overnight care is not provided.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is developing a sound knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and is generally implementing it well. She has developed a good partnership with parents and others to ensure that children are fully included and their needs are met. Children share warm and friendly relationships with the childminder and members of her family and are happy and secure in her care. The childminder provides a varied range of indoor play and learning experiences for children of all ages and is currently developing the use of outdoor spaces to further children's learning. Children benefit from the childminder's secure understanding of safeguarding issues and her attention to documentation which ensures that their welfare needs are met. The childminder is proactive and systems to ensure continuous improvement are in place.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further assessment procedures to enable informed decisions to be made about children's progress so that next steps can be planned to meet their development and learning needs  develop further use of outdoor provision to meet the needs of all children as both as a place to feel at home and as a place to learn.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is protected. The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of how to safeguard children and is familiar with child protection procedures. Children are safe in the childminder’s care. The childminder is very This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 conscious of safety and appropriate measures are taken to keep children safe. For example, children are closely supervised at all times and a written risk assessment details potential hazards and how they are managed which ensures that children remain safe. In addition, children’s safety when on outings has been given thoughtful consideration. For example, the childminder has identified the safest route to use when taking and collecting children from school and uses every opportunity to promote children’s understanding about traffic safety.

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the early years provision

Overall, children's care, learning and welfare are promoted because the childminder puts the individual needs of children in her care first. She has developed good working relationships with the children’s parents so that information about children’s health and wellbeing are effectively shared. This is a strength of the provision.

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the early years provision

Children are offered a range of age appropriate resources and experiences, such as outings to a nearby wooded area. The daily routine is planned to ensure all children are fully included and emphasise is given to promoting sharing, friendship and respect for each other. The childminder is very welcoming and approachable. She has a good understanding of what constitutes an inclusive service for children and is working hard to achieve this. She is still developing her own planning and assessment procedures to help her effectively make informed decisions about children's progress so that next steps can be planned to meet their development and learning needs. Some steps are being taken to liaise with other early years settings delivering the EYFS, such as the local school, to ensure continuity in children's care and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder is beginning to implement a system of self evaluation to monitor her practice to ensure continued improvement. The two recommendations in this report were identified as areas for improvement by the childminder. Steps to build onto existing practice are being taken as the childminder is attending further training to deepen her understanding of the EYFS. Good use is being made of feedback from parent questionnaires so that the childminder is able to tailor her routine to meet individual children’s requirements. For example, in response to a request to provide more outside play the childminder has adjusted her routine so that time is given for bicycle rides with older children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is beginning to develop a sound knowledge and understanding of the learning, development and welfare requirements of the EYFS framework. Children are making steady progress in their learning and development. The childminder knows the children in her care well and has a sound knowledge of child development gained through her experience as a mother and more recently by attending early years training events. She understands that every child is unique and she works closely with parents to find out about and to meet children's individual needs to ensure they are fully included. Simple observation and assessment systems are in the very early stages of development and are not yet fully effective to help the childminder plan appropriate challenges for the children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to further extend their learning. However, younger children are offered a range of

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and outcomes for children

activities and play opportunities the cover the six areas of learning of EYFS. In addition, older children can participate in art and craft activities and have the opportunity to design and make models.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their learning. The childminder has arranged her family home so that toys and other resources such as books are within easy reach of the children. She is aware of the importance of using the outdoor environment to enhance children’s learning but acknowledges this has been underdeveloped in promoting children’s learning. Children are very comfortable in the childminder care and happily include her in their play. Members of the childminder’s family are also included as playmates by minded children. For example, at the time of the inspection visit the childminder’s student daughter happily read stories to a younger child who snuggled into her and enjoyed the experience of sharing a favourite storybook. Young children’s language development is particularly well supported by the childminder. She engages them in conversations, asks questions and introduces new words to help them build onto their exciting vocabulary. She is

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and outcomes for children

sensitive to the needs of children who are experiencing language delay and offers appropriate support and encouragement.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder implements strategies to promote and protect children's health and wellbeing. For example, she ensures children have clean hands before eating. Children are beginning to learn how to keep themselves healthy by being involved in fun and interesting activities. For example, children help to prepare fresh vegetables for snack which they later eat with chopsticks. Generally, healthy eating is promoted and the childminder works with parents to ensure children receive a healthy and balanced diet.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is managed well due to the childminder's clear and consistent approach. The childminder promotes positive behaviour. Praise and encouragement are regularly used to promote children's self-esteem and develop their sense of achievement. Good attention has been given to the building of positive relationships between the childminder and the children’s parents so that all are working in the children’s best interests. Overall, children are settled in the childminder's care and are happy. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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