Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY389278 Inspection date 16/09/2009 Inspector Tina Kelly

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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 2009. She lives with her husband and two children who attend primary school in Markyate, Hertfordshire. The house is situated within walking distance of schools, nursery and local amenities. The whole of the house is included in the registration except the loft extension that is used as the master bedroom. Children do not generally access upstairs other than to use the family bathroom. The family home is accessed by a low-level step, there is a spacious garden for outside play, the area near the house is accessible, the end of the garden is stepped. The family have a tank of tropical fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children under eight years with no more than three being in the early years age group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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

The childminder is caring and attentive; she provides a stimulating and welcoming environment with a good range of resources for children of all ages and abilities. Their individual needs are identified, recorded and met. Children's progress in their learning and development is beginning to be monitored through a recently implemented planning and observations process. Arrangements to ensure the safety and well-being of the children are robust. The childminder is beginning to reflect on her practice; she is aware of the areas of her practice that need to be developed to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 establish records to show children's starting points, how plans and activities progress children's learning and development and how the information is shared with parents to enable them to support children's learning at home  develop the process for self-evaluation to monitor practice and promote outcomes for all children.

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the early years provision

All the required documents, policies and procedures to monitor the provision are unique to the setting, relevant and up to date. In addition, the childminder uses documents provided by the NCMA to ensure the welfare requirements are met in full. Children are protected by the childminder’s secure knowledge of her role and responsibilities in relation to the local authority safeguarding procedures. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder seeks support and advice from local childminders and internet forums. Information about training and services for children who need additional support is sought from the local children's centre. The childminder is aware of the importance of building partnerships with other settings that the children attend, making contact with the schools and pre-schools to ensure a consistent approach to their care and learning.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are well established. Daily diaries and work books outline the children's achievements and are supported with photographs. The registration portfolio ensures they are fully aware of the routines and learning opportunities made available to their children. The childminder has started to review and reflect on her practice through a process of self-evaluation. She has identified future training that will enable her to enhance her practice and promote opportunities for all children. The childminder has implemented a parent questionnaire to enable parents to share their views. The response shows families are very confident in the care and learning opportunities provided. The childminder evaluates the responses to enable her to adapt and improve the provision. The process of risk assessments has enabled the childminder to adapt and improve the garden to provide an interesting area to play and explore.

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the early years provision

The family home is child-centred with appropriate safety measures in place. Resources are stored at low-level so children of all ages and abilities can easily access toys and games. The childminder has a regular pattern of part-time care arrangements for children ranging in age from under one year up to seven-years- old. She plans to provide appropriate activities for both boys and girls; she adapts the daily and weekly activities and routines accordingly. The childminder finds out about the children's backgrounds, she works with parents to promote and support all aspects of their early learning and language skills.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a welcoming and inclusive setting. Children of all ages build strong relationships with both peer groups and children of different ages and abilities. The daily routine is very flexible and based around school and nursery collections which can be different each day. Although parents provide most of the children's meals these may be supplemented with fruit and healthy snacks. Home- cooked meals are provided as part of the service if required. Children's personal care routines are well managed; young children are co-operative at nappy change times. The childminder takes the children's individual likes and interests into account. She promotes spontaneous play by providing a good range of readily accessible resources and regular outings. A weekly time sheet is printed out to ensure walks home from school and nursery provide all children with opportunities to visit the library and explore the local parks and play areas.

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and outcomes for children

A process to monitor the children’s achievements has recently been established. Photographs and observations linked to the early learning goals show children taking part in an interesting range of experiences both in the home and out in the community. However, children's starting points and plans to promote and extend This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their learning are not identified; this means that the process does not effectively show how children's learning is progressing and how this information is shared with parents to enable them to support the children's learning at home.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing skills that prepare them for future learning. The older children adapt and learn to make allowances for the much younger children. All children are beginning to understand that their actions have an impact on others. They learn to take turns and keep themselves safe through consistent support from their childminder who acts as a good role model in promoting good manners and social skills in the daily routines and activities. When out in the community the children learn about their own personal and road safety by discussing their options and making decisions with support from the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Young children are happy and settled. Their early learning skills are consistently supported by the childminder who provides good quality, interesting and age- appropriate resources. Children develop basic skills for their future learning such as counting, colour recognition and simple social skills, such as giving and taking coloured balls from the childminder. Babies show great delight in throwing them back in the container with lots of praise and laughter from their carer. Consequently, children have a strong sense of self esteem and sense of belonging. Children are confident as they interact with visitors; they have a strong sense of security as they access the toys and move around the home freely. When tired they settle to sleep on the childminder's lap. The childminder provides many opportunities that extend the children's understanding of a healthy lifestyle and promotes their learning through a range of activities and experiences.

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and outcomes for children

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 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 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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