Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY370779 Inspection date 08/02/2010 Inspector Lynn Palumbo

p.1

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.

p.1

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2008. She lives with her mother in a three bedroom 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. The family have two cats on the premises.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two 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.

p.4

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.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's individuality is recognised and nurtured by the childminder who has a good knowledge of their individual needs and requirements. Children's needs are met because they are offered appropriate age and stage resources and activities suitable to their individual stages of development. She has established secure relationships with parents to ensure a collaborative approach for children's individual well-being and learning. The childminder has introduced systems to enable her to reflect upon her practice and identify future areas of development.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 improve the record or risk assessment so that it includes information on who conducted it, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident. (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 23/03/2010

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge about child protection procedures and knows where to make referrals. 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. Although the childminder has good knowledge of hazards to children, a record of risk assessment for her home is not fully in place. This does not ensure any potential hazards are promptly identified and minimised within the home and garden and is a breach of requirement of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The record of risk assessment also does not contain details of risk assessments conducted for outings. All parental permissions are in place for all children in her care, for example, consent for emergency medical advice and treatment. This ensures all children are cared for in an emergency without delay. The childminder shares all her policies and

p.5

the early years provision

procedures with parents at the outset to ensure they are well informed.

p.5

the early years provision

Children are offered a wide selection of good quality resources within the home. The childminder rotates the resources regularly to ensure children have different toys to explore and play with. Children are provided with a good range of resources to foster an awareness of diversity in society, for example, they celebrate festivals. The childminder talks to children about people's disabilities and differing needs, such as why some people use signing as a form of communication.

p.5

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 fully establish 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 ensures children’s learning and development is further enhanced and feeds into the continuous improvement of her provision.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has established strong relationships with the parents. They are informed about their learning and development through daily discussions, samples of their children’s work and written information within a daily diary. However, the childminder has not yet fully established systems to incorporate parents’ comments into the children’s profiles to ensure they are 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.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge about children’s interests and provides resources and activities to extend these interests. For instance, she provides children with a good range of resources to count because they have been talking about numbers, and children show an interest in counting blocks. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 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.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children’s communication skills are developing well. Whilst exploring a picture book called ‘Peek a moo’ children discuss the pictures, for example, they say ‘cow’, ‘moo moo’ and ‘pig’, ‘oink oink.’ In addition, children have a good range of books to select and regularly visit the local library. Children have good opportunities to explore mark making and developing a variety of curvy lines and discuss their meaning with the childminder. Children develop their problem solving, and numeric skills well. They can count to number 10, and recognise numbers to 10 are sequential. In addition, they build a variety of structures with bricks and align puzzles. Children have a broad range of experiences to develop physically. They play on soft play equipment at the local kid’s zone, dance to actions songs and crawl through tunnels. In addition, they play on the recreational equipment at the local park. Children develop an understanding of the world well as they; use

p.6

and outcomes for children

torches to learn about light and dark. They record their voice on a tape recorder and use digital cameras to take photographs. Children develop an understanding of a diverse society as they taste a variety of international foods, such as, moussaka. All children are encouraged to access all toys and resources regardless of their gender. Children are developing very good social skills. they cuddle younger children when a little upset, share toys and resources. In addition, they help prepare the table and chairs for snack time.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are learning about keeping safe, as they talk about road safety and practise fire evacuations. This equips children with good understanding of how to manage their own safety. Children are learning to be healthy. They learn about healthy foods, for example, they enjoy nutritious and well-balanced meals and snacks and talk about the benefits of fruits. They receive water throughout the day. Children’s behaviour is good. They learn from the childminder who is a good role model, about being respectful and polite. Children are active, 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

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8