Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 404256 Inspection date 22 September 2005 Inspector Cheryl Langley

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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 registered in 1998. She lives with her husband and two children aged 9 and 6 years in a house in Ware. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family does not have any pets. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children. She is currently minding 5 children. The childminder helps to run the local toddler group. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a range of activities which contribute to their health. They play in the garden, walk to feed the ducks and visit local parks regularly to benefit from the fresh air. Children experience a variety of physical activities using both large and small equipment. For example, they have fun playing with bikes and sit-on rides or large climbing equipment and swings. In the house they thread and sew or mix ingredients to make fairy cakes. Children learn the importance of hygiene and personal care. They are cared for in a welcoming, clean home where they understand the importance of regular cleaning routines to keep them safe and healthy. Children have a clear understanding of why they must wash their hands after playing in the garden or using the toilet. They blow their noses and cover their mouths when they cough to stop germs spreading. Children learn about keeping their bodies healthy through the examples set by the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder, interesting books and discussion. Most of the documentation required to support the care of the children is in place. However, parental consent should the children require emergency medical treatment or advice has not been requested. Children are beginning to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They know which type of food is good to eat. Children have access to drinking water throughout the day or sugar free fruit juices and milk. They eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents. She works with them closely to provide nutritious snacks and meals that appeal to the children as well as meeting their dietary needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's safety is a priority. They move around the house safely, freely and independently and adhere to house rules to stay free from harm. The childminder helps children understand how to protect themselves from hazards inside and outside of the home through discussion and regular routines. Suitable equipment and restraints are used to keep young children safe and secure. They learn to be aware of strangers and practise codes for crossing the road safely. A range of safe, developmentally appropriate resources are stored in the lounge and dining area for easy access. This enables the children to select some of their play and activities safely. The childminder has the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she has a clear understanding of child protection issues. She has attended training in this

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

area and has all the relevant documentation in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 provision is good. Children enjoy a broad variety of exciting play and activities which are child led or planned and organised by the childminder. They receive adult guidance to give them extra support if needed but their independence is promoted as much as possible. The childminder sets them challenges along with a range of stimulating play to aid their development. For example, children are given time to put their coat or shoes on properly when learning to dress themselves, or they practise cutting to become confident with scissors and use a range of puzzles and shape sorters for differing abilities. Children benefit from interesting activities which help develop their knowledge and skills. They learn to recognise different colours as they pick out the blue or red cars

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

as they walk to school. Children count bricks as they create towers or when they sing nursery rhymes. Comparing the size of models made with building blocks and using measure to weigh ingredients for baking increases their knowledge of mathematical language. They learn pairing and sequencing with activity games. Children have fun matching letter sounds playing dominoes or from sharing books with the childminder and their peers. Helping tend the tomato plants, listen to the birds in the garden and observe plants and creatures on picnics teaches them about the natural environment. Regular use of creative materials such as pencils, crayons, paint and materials for different types of modelling, encourages the children to represent their experiences, feelings and ideas in a variety of ways. Children take advantage of the opportunity to use their imaginations by role playing and pretending to be different characters, or

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

revel in the excitement of dressing up and putting on a play. They enjoy making juggling balls and decorating tennis balls to play with or putting paintings and drawings in their folders to share with parents. They are encouraged to take part in everyday routines to learn about their local community, for example, helping the childminder with her shopping. Their confidence and self esteem is developed by the appropriate frequent praise and encouragement. The children's sense of belonging is promoted by the childminder who knows them well and values their achievements which she displays in her home and shares with parents. They make positive relationships, finding new friends on outings and at the different activity centres used.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a good range of activities and meaningful resources to promote a positive view of the wider world. Books, dolls, dressing up, play figures, puzzles and organised activities help increase the children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. The children enjoy talking about the different play figures and how people with different abilities can move around. Children are valued and respected. Their individual needs are well met as they follow their daily routine which is discussed with parents. Children behave well. They understand right and wrong through consistent boundaries, praise and the age appropriate methods used by the childminder to manage behaviour. Children are

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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 considerate, share, take turns and are polite, remembering to say please and thank you. The childminder provides a range of opportunities for the children to socialise which helps them make positive relationships with others. Realistic challenges are set by the childminder to help the children develop. This promotes their confidence and self-esteem. They feel relaxed and secure and able to make independent choices about what they want to do. Children benefit from a strong partnership between the childminder and parents who exchange information frequently. They have daily discussions and review contracts, policies and procedures regularly. The children keep a folder of their achievements and creations to share with parents. There is also a photographic record of the children participating in a variety of interesting and enjoyable activities. This helps

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Helping children make a positive contribution

keep parents well informed of how their child's needs are being met and their developmental progress. The childminder values feedback from parents to support her provision and has received positive and complimentary comments.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children's needs are met through effective organisation and good communication with parents. Space and equipment is prepared so that resources can be accessed easily. This enables the children to make choices about their play. A balance of child led activities and organised play ensure children have a range of different enjoyable experiences whilst they are with the childminder. They benefit from routines which make them feel secure and relaxed. Children play, eat, sleep and rest as they need to. Documentation is stored securely and information shared appropriately to support the care of the children. The required policies and procedures are in place to help keep children healthy and safeguard their welfare. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge and experience which she continues to update with relevant training. She has a Level 3 Certificate in Childminding Practice and a current first aid qualification.

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Organisation

Overall, the needs of all the children who attend are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder agreed to ensure that the medication and accident records be used appropriately. Details are logged and shared with parents who sign to acknowledge they have received this information. This helps to provide consistency in the care of the children and keep them safe and healthy in the event of an accident or if they require medication.

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Complaints 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): • request written parental permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment.

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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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