Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY256425 Inspection date 10/12/2009 Inspector Susan Tuffnell

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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 2003. She lives and works with her mother who is also a registered childminder and her four siblings, who are aged 16, 14, 13 and 11. The family live in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The premises are accessed by a low step to the front entrance.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care every weekday during term time and school holidays. She is registered on the Early Years Register and compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for to care for three children on the Early Years Register and currently five children attend on part-time and flexible contracts. The childminder currently provides care for one child on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (CCR) and there are currently four children attending on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register (VCR). When working with her mother the childminder may care for no more than six children in the early years group, and of these, not more than two children may be under one year at any one time. All the children share the same facilities. The family have two dogs and guinea pigs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds the 'Diploma in Nursery Nursing' qualification awarded by the Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. They benefit from a secure and welcoming environment that supports their welfare, learning and development in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The close partnership with parents contributes to ensuring that the individual needs of the children are met. Effective arrangements for reviewing, monitoring and evaluating inclusive practice, ensure that all children are valued and supported. Some procedures are in place for evaluating the childminder's practice and setting priorities for improvement in the future.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure that at least one person who has a current paediatric first aid certificate is on the premises at all times when children are present (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 28/04/2010

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  ensure that children's identified learning needs (next steps) are carried forward, implemented into future planning and evaluated to give a clear picture of children's progress towards the early learning goals  update the child protection information in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance.

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the early years provision

Most major aspects of leadership and management are satisfactory, some areas of weakness have been identified. For example, the child protection information is not in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance. The childminder has updated her first aid training. However, confirmation that she has attended a local authority approved first aid course is not in place, to ensure children's health and safety are fully protected.

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the early years provision

Good links exist with parents and carers who are actively encouraged to be involved in supporting their child’s learning and development. Information sharing through the daily diary, ensure parents are kept fully informed about their children's welfare and the learning journeys and scrap books give parents information about children's achievements and progress. Regular observations and assessments are carried out to generally track children's progress through the early learning goals. However, children's identified learning needs are not securely carried forward, implemented into future planning and evaluated to give a clear picture of their progress. The childminder takes steps to identify hazards through regular risk assessments which include outings. Children's awareness of personal safety is supported as they take part in regular fire evacuation procedures. Good quality resources are freely available to the children and are sufficient to support

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the early years provision

their learning and development. The childminder promotes equality and diversity well. For example, inclusive practise is monitored through policies, procedures and planning.

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and outcomes for children

Children achieve well in most aspects of their learning and development. The childminder uses a range of effective teaching methods and good quality resources to provide a stimulating range of activities and experiences to meet children's needs. The level of challenge is sufficient to interest and engage children. Children develop a sense of how to stay safe within the setting. They practise road safety on outings and take part in regular fire evacuation. Children follow appropriate personal hygiene routines and they are beginning to understand the importance of regular exercise and healthy eating. Children collect sticks, twigs and logs and work together to build dens and camps in the woods. They have fresh air and exercise as they walk to and from school several times a day. Visit to parks to use large equipment, music and movement, games such as skittles and computer fitness programmes, ensure children participate in regular active play.

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Good quality resources are available to help children's fine motor skills, such as art and craft activities, toys, puzzles and construction. Children make choices independently and sometimes with the cooperation of others. For example, children decide to dress-up as dinosaurs. They sort out who is wearing which costume and make up the game between them. Children's interest in dinosaurs is encouraged with toy dinosaurs, dressing-up clothes and art and craft work. For example, children draw and decorate pictures of dinosaurs. Children share resources well as they work together on puzzles depicting the seasons. They look carefully at the pictures to ascertain which season. For example, different articles of clothing are matched to the correct puzzle. Language development is encouraged as children discuss the pictures and the events shown, such as

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and outcomes for children

building a snowman in the winter and visiting the seaside in the summer. Children proudly point out their displayed work and explain how they use vegetables such as potatoes and green beans to print snowmen. Counting takes place spontaneously. For example, children count and match in the 'cookies' activity and count the number of skittles they knock down, and how many are left. Number lines feature in children's work on Christmas robins. Children show interest in the written word as they type the letters of their name on the computer screen, carefully sounding out each letter in turn. Children recognise their name on displayed work. Their creative development is encouraged well, as children mix paint colours and add different materials to make Christmas bells and glittery snow pictures. Planning for the differentials in children's age and ability is excellent. Activities are arranged so that all the children can participate. For example, older

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and outcomes for children

children create sophisticated patterns on paper to make icicles, and younger children attempt cutting into tissue to form patterns. Young children sew simple lines of gold thread onto their Christmas bells and older children sew around the shape of the bell.

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and outcomes for children

Children are secure in the setting and display a strong sense of belonging. They speak confidently to each other and adults and share important events. For example, children talk about their part in the Nativity play, explain the story and describe their costume. They understand that this event has changed their regular sessions and that attendance at school has been moved from the morning to the afternoon today. Children are happy and settled and display confidence and self- esteem.

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and outcomes for children

Children make steady progress in the six areas of learning, they join in with their peers and have opportunities to meet others and make friends. Children learn to respect each other through positive role modelling from the childminder and are beginning to respond to others by playing cooperatively and sharing resources. Children join in with daily routines, such as tidying their environment and generally secure the skills they need in order to progress in their learning. Overall, children's behaviour is satisfactory. 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 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

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Stage

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

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 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 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 ensure that at least one person who is caring for children has an appropriate first aid qualification (Welfare of the children being cared for). 28/04/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory childcare register section of this report 28/04/2010

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