Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY244015 Inspection date 26 July 2005 Inspector Julie Washer

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her partner and 2 children aged 3 and 8 in a small village near Ware. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children at any one time. She walks to the local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has a pet guinea pig. The childminder welcomes children with special educational needs. She is a member

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 of an approved childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health and physical development. Each day there are outdoor activities to help them develop control of their bodies, for example children dig in the sand and participate in garden games such as egg and spoon races. Regular visits to the local park improves children's physical skills. They are becoming aware of the way activity affects their bodies and know when they need a drink or rest. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home, where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Well established hygiene routines and clear explanations increase children's understanding of the importance of washing their hands to help maintain good health. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They can help themselves to drinking water or juice from their accessible cups and beakers

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Helping children to be healthy

throughout the day. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and the children's choices to provide nutritious meals and snacks that appeal to the children and meet their dietary needs. She encourages children to make healthy eating choices as they decide what vegetables they would like with their meal. Older children are offered opportunities to be involved in the preparation of their food as they make fruit salad. Younger children are encouraged to enjoy their food and become independent, for example the childminder encourages them to hold a spoon and feed themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and secure home where hazards are minimised and various precautions are in place to protect them. For example, frequent risk assessments are carried out. Children are therefore, able to move around the environment safely and freely. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and to maintaining children's safety outside the home. She talks to children about road safety and the importance of using pedestrian crossings whenever possible. Children are beginning to learn the importance of fire drills and how to leave the premises quickly and safely, however fire drills are not practised on a regular basis. Children independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder has most of the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she holds a current first aid certificate and has attended child protection training. The childminder has a secure understanding of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures. However, written parental permission is not obtained for children to be left in an emergency with another childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well settled and very at home in the childminder's house. They are happy and confidently choose toys and resources for themselves. Children are motivated and interested in a broad range of purposeful indoor and outdoor activities which provide stimulating levels of challenge appropriate to their age and stage of development. For example, children enjoy imaginative play as they dress up as 'Sleeping Beauty' and pretend to be Mum cooking the dinner using the microwave. They listen to stories attentively as the childminder tells stories using puppets such as the 'Three Little Pigs'. Musical activities include singing and playing multi-cultural instruments to the rhythm of nursery rhymes which contribute to children's developing communication skills. Children develop their sensory skills as they play with water and sand outside. For example, younger children enjoy listening to the splashing sound the water makes as

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

they drop their small world toys into the bowl. They are provided with the opportunity to develop their language skills by the childminder's playful interactions. For example, she encourages children to imitate animal sounds she makes when they play with small world sheep and communicates with gestures as she sings nursery rhymes. Children take part in regular cooking activities observing changes to ingredients before and after cooking. They learn about life cycles of a butterfly and a bee through stories and watch sunflower and cress seeds, bulbs and tomato plants grow and change. The childminder has a good knowledge of child development and uses the Birth to three matters framework to improve children's achievements. She provides very good support to children in their play, providing an environment that allows children to respond with enthusiasm to new challenges.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children gain an understanding of diversity as they share books which reflect different cultures, beliefs and disability. They taste fruits from around the world as they make their fruit salad for lunch and create flags to celebrate Independence Day. They learn about their local community through regular outings and trips to the library, farm, local park, forest, post office and bakers. Children enjoy mutually respectful relationships with the childminder. She knows the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 children well and ensures they are included fully in the life of the setting. Children's individual needs are met and each child is valued. They develop confidence and self-esteem as they make choices and decisions about their play. Children have time to relax as well as be active. They learn to understand behaviour boundaries and learn right from wrong because the childminder uses positive strategies for managing behaviour. For example, children are encouraged to show care and concern for each other and play together harmoniously. Children behave well and are developing good manners in response to the childminder's clear and consistent boundaries. Children benefit from an effective and positive partnership with parents. The childminder welcomes parents and keeps them informed daily about activities,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

routines, sleeps and meals, both verbally and through written daily diaries. Parents are provided with good quality information about the setting. Very positive comments were received by parents through written questionnaires.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's care is greatly enhanced by the exceptional quality of organisation. The premises are well organised, welcoming and inviting to children and their families. Indoor and outdoor play space is used effectively to maximise play opportunities for the children. The childminder has a high regard for the well-being of all children and she organises and plans her time to ensure children are positively supported in their care, learning and play. The childminder regularly evaluates her practice through a monitoring procedure with another childminder and is very pro-active in looking for ways of improving the quality of care she provides. She frequently reads information relating to current childcare issues. All legally required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being are in place. Comprehensive policies and procedures are used effectively to protect children, promote their well-being and support all to develop

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Organisation

their potential. Parents are kept well informed of their children's progress with information shared on a regular basis including written daily diaries and all updated policies and procedures. Children benefit significantly from a childminder who is continually updating and increasing her knowledge of child care and development. She is committed to continuous improvement and development and has attended extensive on going training. She has recently been awarded Herts Quality Standards which is a quality assurance scheme. Overall, the provision meets the needs of all children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to ensure hazards to children were minimised with reference to poisonous plants and an electrical lead in the garden. All accessible ivy has been removed and the electrical lead in the garden is earthed and has been secured to the wall.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • obtain written permission from parents for children to be left in an emergency with another childminder • ensure fire drills are practised on a regular basis.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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