Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY225337 Inspection date 19/10/2009 Inspector Julie Whitelaw

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 2002. She lives with her husband and son aged 12 in Radlet, Hertfordshire. The premises are within walking distance of the local primary school, parks and shops. The childminder uses the ground floor of her home to care for minded children. There is easy access to a large secure garden. The family have two guinea pigs that live in a cage in the garden.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, three may be in the early years age range and one may be under one year. She is currently caring for three children in the early years age group, all who attend on a part time basis. Overnight care is not included in the registration.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and feel secure in the childminder's care. She is developing her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage Learning and Development requirements and adequately meets children's differing needs. This ensures that they are well care for and make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. Children are protected and kept safe as the required policies and procedures are in place and most are implemented well. Children's well-being and development are promoted through an adequate partnership with the parents and other agencies. The childminder has begun to evaluate the service she provides but this process is not yet fully effective.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop further the partnership with parents to ensure they are encouraged to share children's starting points, fully informed of the progress children make and involved in their learning and development  develop further the range of resources for older children and ensure these are accessible to them  develop further observations and assessments to identify learning priorities and use this information to inform planning  develop further the use of self-evaluation to monitor and extend effective practice and to ensure continued improvement. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder's home is well organised to ensure that children have plenty of space to move around and explore. Toddlers independently make choices in what they want to play with. The range of toys for older children is limited and not all of them are accessible. This potentially hinders children's independence and learning. The childminder knows the children well and has an adequate understanding of what stage they are at in their learning. She supports children with special educational needs and disabilities to ensure their needs are sufficiently met.

p.5

the early years provision

Children are protected as the childminder has completed training on safeguarding. She has a clear understanding of what action she should take if she has concerns regarding the welfare of a child in her care. The required risk assessments are in place. This ensures that children are safe in the home environment and on outings. The childminder closely supervising children at all times and ensures that they are never left alone with anyone who have not been vetted. The required polices and procedures to safeguard children are in place and most are effectively implemented. However, the childminder is caring for more children under five than their conditions of registration, at the time of inspection, allows. This is an offence unless the provider gives a reasonable excuse. On this occasion the provider did so and Ofsted does not intend to take further action.

p.5

the early years provision

Children's individual needs are sufficiently met as the childminder verbally exchanges information with the parents on a daily basis. A wide range of information is displayed on the wall in the hall and parents sign to say they have received a copy of the policies and procedures. This ensures that parents are kept informed. Details regarding children's care needs are obtained. However, limited information is obtained about children's starting points and parents are not fully informed of the progress children make. This potentially hinders their involvement in their child's learning and development and may compromise the rate children progress. The childminder liaises with staff at the local nursery and is aware of what is being taught. She obtains a copy, from the parents, of the nursery report and is aware of the progress that is being made and areas that may need additional support. This enables her to provide continuity in care and learning.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has begun to use a system of self-evaluation to monitor the effectiveness of her provision. However, the process does not accurately reflect her setting and does not highlight all the weaknesses. This may potentially hinder the childminder's ability to continuously improve. She obtains views from parents about the service she provides through questionnaires and has started to involve children in this process. For example, through discussion older children express what toys they like to play with and what new toys they would like the childminder to purchase. This ensures that everyone is given the opportunity to be involved in the development of the setting. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder has attended training and is taking steps to develop her knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework to improve the outcomes for children. Children make steady progress in their learning. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of what stage children are at and has recently introduced a written system to observe and assess children's learning. However, this system has not yet been fully implemented. This means that learning priorities are not always identified in all areas and assessment does not consistently inform planning.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children feel secure in the childminder's care. Toddlers are beginning to express their needs. They select what book they want, give them to the childminder and indicate that they want to be helped on to the settee so that she can read to them. They show an interest in the pictures and their language is developing as they repeat the words the childminder reads. Children's listening skills are promoted as they follow simple instructions. Older children develop independence and show pride in what they can do as they use a knife to spread cheese on their bread. Children develop an understanding of the wider world as they look at a map and talk about their holidays abroad. Children confidently say 'it is always hot in Portugal' demonstrating a developing understanding of different climates. On walks in the local area children observe the changing seasons and nature. For example, children recently learnt that squirrels bury nuts to eat later. Limited opportunities

p.6

and outcomes for children

are planned for children's sensory and creative development.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Young children are developing a sound understanding of how to keep themselves safe as they learn the rules they should follow when in the childminder's home. Children demonstrate an excellent understanding of what they should do if there is a fire. When the smoke alarm rings they confidently line up at the front door and wait for the childminder to take them outside. Children learn about road safety, stranger danger and the need to stay close by to the childminder when on trips outside the home. This promotes their safety. Children understand how to keep others safe. For example, they clearly explain that some children have allergies and must not eat eggs and tomatoes as these foods could make them ill.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children develop an understanding of healthy lifestyles as they have the opportunity to play outside most days and enjoy the benefits of fresh air. They learn about healthy eating when they have fruit at snack time and through healthy eating posters on the wall in the kitchen. Appropriate nappy changing procedures are followed. Pictorial instructions in the cloakroom promote older children's understanding of how to wash their hands. Children demonstrate an understanding of good hygiene when they explain why it is important to wash their hands after feeding pets.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children have formed close friendships with the childminder and their peers. They play well together and are learning that there are rules for acceptable behaviour. The childminder intervenes if squabbles arise and uses praise and reward charts to reinforce positive behaviour. Children confirm that they have walked home sensibly This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 from school and ask if they can add a sticker to their reward chart, showing an understanding of appropriate ways to behave. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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

p.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

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

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.8

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

p.8

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9