Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY398727 Inspection date 22/03/2010 Inspector Jane Mount

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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 September 2009 and she lives with her three children who are aged between 19 years and seven years. The property is situated in Highfield, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire and is close to local amenities such as shops, a park and schools. All areas of the property are included in the registration although the ground floor is mainly used for childminding purposes. There is a downstairs cloakroom and a fully fenced rear garden available for outdoor play. The family has no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time including three children in the early years age group. The childminder is currently minding one child who is in the early years age group. Overnight care is not provided and the childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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

The childminder is developing a sound knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and is generally implementing it well. Children share warm friendly relationships with the childminder and she works closely with parents to ensure children's needs are met. Children's welfare is safeguarded and documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the setting is in place although some requires further development. Children are provided with a range of play and learning experiences which ensure they make progress in their learning and development although observation and assessment systems are in the very early stages of development. Processes for monitoring the setting to ensure continuous improvement have not yet been implemented.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further children's observation and assessment records and use these more effectively to plan the next steps in a child's developmental progress  review and update the risk assessment record to ensure it covers all areas a child may come into contact with  implement a quality improvement process such as self-evaluation to monitor and extend effective practice and to ensure continued improvement. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is protected as the childminder has a sound knowledge of how to protect children from harm. For example, she has completed a safeguarding course and has a generally informative safeguarding policy in place. Also, all household members have had appropriate backgrounds checks completed. Children's safety is protected and the environment in which children are cared for is safe. For example, measures are taken by the childminder to maintain children's safety such as using a safety gate to prevent children accessing the kitchen. The childminder undertakes ongoing visual assessments to ensure all risks are minimised throughout the day and close supervision also keeps children safe. Written risk assessments have also been implemented which are generally informative and show how potential hazards are minimised although they lack some detail as to how specific areas are kept safe, such as the garden.

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the early years provision

This is the childminder's first inspection since registering and she has worked hard to develop a sound knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and this is beginning to be reflected in her practice. Documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the setting and to meet the needs of children is in place and generally informative. The childminder is overall aware of her key strengths and areas requiring further development and is beginning to develop some systems to monitor the quality of her provision. For example, she has plans to introduce parent questionnaires to seek feedback from parents and she is going to regularly review documentation including policies and procedures and children's records to ensure all is up to date. A quality improvement process such as self-evaluation to monitor and extend effective practice to ensure continued improvement has not yet been introduced.

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the early years provision

Professional development is an area the childminder understands is important and in the past year has attended some courses and workshops and has identified further training she would like to do such as attending a short course on observation, assessment and planning.

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the early years provision

Children's care, learning and welfare are overall promoted because the childminder puts the needs of children first. The environment promotes children's well-being with resources accessible and developmentally appropriate for children's needs. The daily routine is planned around individual children and the childminder works closely with parents to provide an inclusive environment. The childminder has developed a portfolio and a welcome pack which she uses as ways of sharing information about the setting including her policies and procedures with new and prospective parents. The childminder ensures children's individual needs are met with regular discussions with parents and parents views are respected and valued. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude and awareness to working in partnership with other early years settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. For example, she is beginning to develop informal links with the local school

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the early years provision

to ensure continuity in children's care and learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder implements strategies to promote children's health and well-being. For example, she has a clear procedures in place regarding sickness and medication. Children are beginning to learn about the importance of personal care routines to keep themselves healthy. For example, they are reminded to wash their hands after visiting the toilet or before eating and are beginning to discuss the reasons for doing so. Healthy eating is encouraged and children have some opportunities to learn about healthy eating through discussion. For example, they may discuss the benefits of eating yoghurt for making strong bones and teeth. Children's behaviour is managed in a clear and consistent manner and in a way that is appropriate to the child's level of understanding. The childminder encourages positive behaviour and regularly uses praise and encouragement to promote children's self-esteem and to develop their sense of achievement. The

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and outcomes for children

childminder is a positive role model and secure relationships between the childminder and children enables children to feel safe and valued in the childminding environment. Children's safety is protected and they are developing an understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, when out walking they know they must hold hands and they discuss how to cross the road safely. In the car children know they must wear seat belts and sit in the correct car seats.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is beginning to develop a sound knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure children make progress in their learning. Overall, children experience a range of activities and play experiences which generally support their learning and development and which cover the six areas of learning. Observation and assessment systems are still in the very early stages of development but generally show how children are progressing. The childminder is developing these systems and has plans to introduce individual scrap books which will more clearly show individual children's progress and achievements over time. Information gained from observing and assessing children is informally used by the childminder when planning future activities and play experiences for the children in her care. Children enjoy their learning and participate in a mixture of adult-led and child-initiated play

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and outcomes for children

with the indoor and outdoor environments used to promote children's play and learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children in their play, asking questions and engaging them in conversation to support their language and communication skills. For example, they discuss what they are making when playing with playdough. The childminder uses daily routines and activities to incorporate children's numeracy and problem solving and reasoning skills. For example, when out walking or travelling in the car they count how many red cars or bus stops they can see and they sometimes sing songs that incorporate numbers. Children have some opportunities to express themselves creatively and they participate in a range of art and craft activities including drawing and colouring. The childminder generally promotes a positive awareness of diversity through encouraging discussion and through providing some resources which help children develop a positive attitude This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

to others. Children's understanding of the local community is promoted through regular walks and outings. Their physical development is encouraged and they develop a positive attitude towards being active as they have opportunities to play in the garden and enjoy jumping on the trampoline or playing hop scotch. Visits to the park also encourages children's physical development. 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 3 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 3 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 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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