Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY305748 Inspection date 17/03/2010 Inspector Maura Pigram

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 uses her experience as a nanny in her childminding practice and has a Diploma in Childcare. She lives with her children aged five and three years in North Watford, Hertfordshire close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder’s home is used for childminding, which includes an attractive playroom. There is a secure garden for outdoor play. A bedroom is used for rest and sleep purposes.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in this age group. The childminder is also registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She collects children from local schools and regularly takes children to age-appropriate groups. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 uses her expertise to ensure she has a well-developed knowledge of the uniqueness of each child so that welfare and learning can be effectively promoted. A strong partnership with parents and other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage, along with resources provided is a key strength of the provision. Parents views are sought and valued, children's views are yet to be implemented effectively into the self-evaluation process. The childminder is committed to developing practice, she reflects on her practice and recognises how to bring about improvement that benefits children.

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further?

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

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further?

 review the culture of reflective practice so that it includes children's views and use this to identify the setting's strengths' and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children  ensure observations are analysed and these are always used to inform the next steps in children's learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a secure understanding of safeguarding issues which promotes children's welfare. She ensures parents are aware of her role in child protection before they place their children in her care. The high quality resources and premises are safe and she has carried out a full risk assessment of the home and garden. She is aware of how to keep children safe on outings and ensures This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 they develop a good understanding of how to keep safe through ongoing discussions and practical activities, such as cooking.

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the early years provision

The childminder is passionate about her work with children and shows commitment to developing her knowledge of child care and education. She knows the children well and understands the importance of treating each child as an individual so that any potential achievement gaps are minimised. All activities are adapted so that children are fully included. The childminder has created a wonderful bright and welcoming room where children can play and explore. Windows and walls have beautiful displays of children's artwork, photographs of activities and informative posters. This along with the wide range of easily available resources and activities makes the home inviting and gives the children much to look at and discuss.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a wide range of experience from working as a nanny and has completed an early years qualification. She is keen to complete further training and is currently updating her safeguarding knowledge. Her records are carefully maintained, she is reviewing systems on their availability and is considering setting up a website so that parents have another option on how to gain information about the service provided. Currently parents are provided with copies of policies and are very well-informed about their children's achievements, well-being and development.

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the early years provision

The comprehensive policies and procedures are regularly reviewed. Self-evaluation is carried out informally on a regular basis, plans for further improvement are carefully considered, although a system to monitor this is in the development stages. Views from parents are sought in order to enhance the service she offers, views of children are valued although are not yet included in the self-evaluation process. The childminder has been proactive in establishing links with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage which successfully promotes children's learning, development and welfare. For example, she uses knowledge gained from pre-school providers to ensure fun and interesting activities planned are linked to their learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children's learning and development is effectively promoted because the childminder dedicates her time to them. For example, the childminder spends the majority of her time playing and positively interacting with the children. As a result, children are settled and thrive in this well-organised provision. Planning is linked to children's interests, activities are varied and interesting and often associated to topics delivered by other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Although the childminder knows the children very well, the next steps in children’s learning are not always identified and used for further planning.

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and outcomes for children

Children delight in freely choosing their favourite items in the welcoming and vibrant playroom which they helped to decorate. As a result, they have high levels of self-esteem. Children's hand prints are used to surround a map of the world, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 positive discussions help children's understanding of the society in which they live. Children are encouraged to respect the environment and develop a sense of responsibility by packing resources away when they have finished playing with them. They are well-behaved and good manners are given a high priority.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a secure understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, therefore children make good progress towards the early learning goals. Their early language skills are particularly well-supported as the childminder understands the importance of positively interacting with all children, even very young babies. Recently the children enjoyed a wide range of activities related to 'world book day'. They use their imagination in dressing-up in costumes to represent their favourite characters, such as the March Hare from 'The mad hatters tea party'. Individual drawings adorn the windows and walls, children have great pleasure in describing their individual contributions to their book day. Cooking, along with the making of play dough, regularly takes place, reinforcing concepts of problem solving and numeracy. Older children are assisted with homework and their younger peers like to copy this, therefore gaining good skills for the future. Library visits take place to

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and outcomes for children

compliment the broad range of high quality books and varied resources available. In addition, regular visits to parks and age appropriate groups, including a children's centre, ensure children take part in stimulating and interesting activities, such as musical sessions and craft activities.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is highly committed to working in partnership with parents and other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. Letters of recommendation are full of positive comments, such as 'goes the extra mile'. Parents views are regularly sought, and information about their children's achievements are shared through informative diaries, children's leaning journals and photographs. The professional partnership enables the childminder to actively promote healthy eating. For example, children are encouraged to make guided choices during the preparation of meals, resulting in them developing an excellent understanding of healthy eating. They enjoy trying new foods as they choose their toppings and fillings for their pancakes, jacket potatoes, fajitas and home made pizzas. This, along with good opportunities for regular exercise, means that they develop a positive awareness of healthy lifestyles.

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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 1 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 1 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 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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