Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY370781 Inspection date 08/03/2010 Inspector Lynn Palumbo

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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 2008. She child minds from a house in the London Borough of Haringey, within easy walking distance of shops, parks, nurseries and schools. The sitting room, kitchen and one bedroom are available for childminding purposes. Toilet facilities are on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Two cats live on the premises.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight at any one time. There are currently two children on roll, within the early years age group. Children attend at different times of the week. The childminder is also registered to look after children with a joint childminder. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She walks to local nurseries and schools to take and collect children.

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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

Children make good progress with their learning and progress because the childminder has a good knowledge of child development. The children experience a good level of care from a childminder who reviews and evaluates her provision and practice. This ensures she is able to improve the outcomes for the children and their families. Strong links with parents ensure a shared approach and understanding to children's welfare, learning and development.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure prior written permission is obtained from parents for the administration of each and every medicine (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 22/03/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 established systems to involve parents as part of the ongoing observation and assessment process to ensure they are fully involved with their child’s learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a secure knowledge about child protection procedures and is fully aware of the types of signs and symptoms of abuse and/or neglect. She has an up-to-date first aid certificate. This ensures, if the children have any accidents or any concerns arise about the well-being of children, that correct procedures are followed. The childminder has accident and medication records in place and records accurate information within the accident record. However, although the childminder records medication she administers to the children and obtains parents' signatures at the end of the day, she does not currently obtain prior written consent for each and every medicine which is given to the children. The childminder shares all her policies and procedures with parents at the outset to ensure they are well informed.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a broad range of toys and resources for the different ages and stages of children she minds. She uses the living area to display the resources and very effectively rotates the resources to enable children different and exciting activities to explore and play with.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrated that she has valuable knowledge and information about the children’s backgrounds, health needs and languages. Children foster an awareness of diversity in society through books and toys available to them in the environment. Children have opportunities to learn about different festivals and cultures and enjoy trying different food from around the world.

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the early years provision

The childminder has completed the Ofsted self-evaluation form and has identified ways in which to further improve her practice. For example, she would like to purchase a range of dressing up costumes for children to role-play. This ensures children’s learning and development is further enhanced and feeds into the continuous improvement of her provision.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are strong. The childminder communicates very effectively with parents on a daily basis and provides them with additional written feedback within diary books. However, the childminder has not yet fully established systems to involve parents as part of the ongoing observation and assessment process to ensure they are fully involved with their child’s learning. She has a very detailed parents' notice board in the play room where she provides parents with different leaflets and information. In addition, the childminder has a compliments and concerns book which enables parents an additional way of providing their opinions and suggestions.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge of children’s interests and provides resources and activities to extend these interests. For instance, she This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 provides children with a good range of resources to use their imagination because they have been talking about caring for babies, and children show an interest in making bowls of porridge and drinks for the dolly. The childminder has a good understanding of learning and development. The systems to plan for children's individual needs, through observing and assessing children, are established.

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and outcomes for children

Children have opportunities to develop problem solving skills as they work out how to post shapes in a sorter. The childminder extends the learning further by encouraging children to count shapes on the interactive tortoise. She rewards their achievements with positive praise which in turn boosts children's self-esteem and confidence.

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and outcomes for children

Children are proud to show the childcare inspector the hat they wear as they energetically interact to a song, patting their head and identifying all their body features. This enables children to gain a concept of their health and bodily awareness. This is further extended when children eat fresh healthy nutritious foods, such as, cucumber, carrots and bread sticks and the childminder talks about the benefits of fruit.

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and outcomes for children

Children have a broad range of experiences to develop creatively. They know their colours, explore the texture of paint and create paintings with brushes and their fingers. In addition, they dance to a variety of music, moving their body to the rhythm of the beat. All children are encouraged to access all toys and resources regardless of their gender.

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and outcomes for children

Children have opportunities to visit many places of interest with the childminder, such as, visits to the library and soft ball play centre. This enables children to learn about their local community and play with children from diverse backgrounds. Children are learning about keeping safe, as they talk about road safety and stranger danger. This equips children with good understanding of how to manage their own safety. In addition, the childminder practises the fire drill with the children regularly to ensure they know what to do in the event of an emergency. Children’s behaviour is good. They learn from the childminder who is a good role model, about being respectful and polite. Children are active and inquisitive to explore the resources and they receive efficient support in their play and learning from the childminder. 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 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 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 2 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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