Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY304206 Inspection date 02/03/2010 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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 2005. She lives with her partner and two children aged five years and three years in Bushey, Hertfordshire. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, with exception of the master bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Access to the house is via a series of steps. The family has a tortoise.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is currently registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register to care for one child in the early years age group and three children over five. She is currently caring for one child in the early years age group and three children over five years all on a part-time basis. No overnight care is offered.

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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 making very good progress in their learning and development as the childminder implements the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) in an exciting and innovative way. Children's individual needs are fully known as the childminder has developed a good working partnership with their parents. Inclusion is successfully promoted and is evident in everyday practice. Children are kept safe as the childminder has an informed and comprehensive understanding of safeguarding and child protection issues. Ambition is embedded in the childminder's childcare practice which is underpinned by effective systems that support self-evaluation and sustain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that all documentation that promotes children's welfare is available for inspection at all times, this refers to the first aid certificate.

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the early years provision

Children are cared for by a creative and enthusiastic childminder who clearly enjoys the company of children. She skilfully involves herself in younger children's play to ensure that all learning opportunities are exploited whilst acknowledging that older children, in particular, need time to play by themselves.

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the early years provision

Partnership with parents is strong and ensures that individual children's needs are known. Features such as children's dietary needs are discussed before the children come into the childminder's care so that these can be immediately implemented. Parents report that they are very happy with the service that the childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 offers.

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the early years provision

The childminder is working very hard to ensure that her practice is inclusive. Children are given time to make choices and decisions which are respected. Each day, for example, children are encouraged to share their thoughts about favourite things and their 'good news' over teatime. In addition, the childminder seeks children's comments self-evaluating her provision to ensure that their opinions inform her practice. Resources are carefully chosen to ensure that they reflect all aspects of society and have relevance to the children in her care.

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the early years provision

All child protection procedures are in place including Criminal Record Bureau checks on household members regarding their suitability. Overall, documentation supports practice and is regularly reviewed to reflect changes in regulation. However, at the time of the inspection visit the childminder was unable to find her first aid certificate.

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and outcomes for children

Children are offered an outstanding range of play experiences that are age- appropriate, exciting and unusual. At the time of the inspection visit, for example, children were absolutely engrossed in playing with individual trays of coloured sand, earth and cornflour paste which they poured and trickled through their fingers. Activities are well planned. Very good attention is given to developing children's skills for the future especially in the area of communication, language and literacy. In this area of learning many resources are homemade and made personal to the children such as story books, which the children adore and read over and over again. In general resources are attractively stored and are in easy reach of the children. This encourages them to follow interests, explore a theme and make connections in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children's safety is given careful consideration at all times. Written risk assessment effectively show how potential risks to children are managed. In addition, children are taught, through everyday routines, how to manage their own safety. They help, for example, sweep up spilt sand to prevent others from slipping. In addition, laminated cards with the children's names and addresses are carried in the childminder's purse to ensure children's safety when on outings.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and well-being are very well promoted. The childminder, for example, ensures that children are provided with meals and snacks that are healthy, balanced and nutritious. Children are encouraged to follow good routines such as hand washing which for younger children is accompanied by singing a song about washing away germs. There are many opportunities for children develop their physical skills by playing outside and being involved in music and movement sessions which children report is 'great fun'.

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and outcomes for children

Overall, the childminder has created a caring, attractive and well-resourced environment for children of all ages in her family home. Children clearly enjoy This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 coming into the childminder's care, make exceptional progress in all aspects of their learning and have a brilliant time. 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 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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