Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY223233 Inspection date 27 October 2005 Inspector Gail Groves

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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 1995. He lives with his wife, who is also a registered childminder and his 2 children aged 15 and 13 years in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children at any one time. When working with another childminder he may care for a total of 8 children. At the present time he works in partnership with his wife. Together they are currently minding 9 children under 5 years and 2 children between 5 and under 8 years. Of

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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 these, 2 children under 5 years attend full time and the others all attend on a part-time basis. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. He takes children to the local library and to the local park. The family has a rabbit, a hamster and 3 guinea pigs as pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, hygienic environment in which appropriate environmental health and hygiene policies and procedures ensure that they are protected from infection. They learn the need to wash their hands after using the toilet and before and after eating so that they begin to understand simple, good health and hygiene practices. These will help them to develop good hygiene habits in later life. Children have frequent opportunities to enjoy physical activity and fresh air so that they are encouraged to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. They play in the garden with a slide, climbing frame, bikes, balls and trundle toys and visit the park to use the swings and larger scale climbing apparatus, such as the fireman's pole. They visit the shops and go on trips to the local farm and lakes. Children rest and sleep according to their needs to ensure that they do not become overtired and regular routines for

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Helping children to be healthy

sleep or rest are built into their daily timetable. Children have a well balanced, healthy diet and are well nourished. The childminder is careful to provide healthy options such as granary bread, sugar free jam and brown rice. He avoids salt and uses low fat foods whenever possible. The childminder works carefully with parents to understand and support children's dietary needs and requirements and consequently these are well met. Through discussions and some planned activities children learn about healthy living. For example, in the summer the childminder has tasting sessions in which the children try different fruits to help them extend their diet. He discusses why milk is good for them to drink and why cakes and chocolate should be regarded as treats.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a welcoming, secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment. The childminder's well-implemented policies and procedures ensure that risks are minimised and children can move around independently and safely. Children use suitable and safe equipment which is well maintained, age appropriate and which they can access independently from low level boxes. Because the childminder works in partnership with his wife he is able to provide a ratio of one adult to a maximum of three children when he takes them on outings. This ensures that they can be monitored and kept safe at all times. In addition, they learn to keep themselves safe through discussions about road safety as they cross roads and car parks and the need to wash their hands when they have touched the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 animals at the farm. Routines such as having to hold an adult's hand to walk downstairs and rules such as not being allowed to touch the television or open cupboards also help young children learn to keep themselves safe. The childminder and his wife are at present trying to arrange a visit from a Fire Officer to talk to the children about fire safety. Children are protected because the childminder understands his role in Child Protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. He has a comprehensive list of contact details for reporting concerns or seeking advice and he keeps this and other child protection information readily available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder treats the children as part of the family and consequently they feel comfortable and settled. This means that they can form positive relationships with both familiar and unfamiliar adults and are not afraid to interact with them or to seek help from them if it is needed. The childminder spends a lot of time talking and playing with children, both in small groups and individually and as a result, they are involved and interested in the activities provided for them. Throughout his interactions with them, the childminder supports and extends children's language development and thinking with careful questioning. Children have their individual needs met because the childminder knows and understands the children well and provides them with appropriate support. For example, a child with a physical difficulty is reminded to sit correctly and to come down the stairs by sitting on each step. With support and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

guidance from the childminder children begin to learn to distinguish between right and wrong. They learn that they must not throw things in case they hurt someone and that they must share, take turns and not fight over toys. Children show appropriate levels of concentration and with support and praise from the childminder are beginning to respond positively to challenge and to persevere well when acquiring new skills. For example, learning to feed themselves or to thread shapes carefully onto a lace. This means that they are developing good attitudes to learning. Children acquire new knowledge and skills through a wide variety of interesting and stimulating play experiences. Creative activities are particularly well planned and give children the chance to explore different types of creative play such as dressing up, painting, gluing and modelling. Themed activity days are regularly planned and children become involved in a variety of activities tied to the theme. For

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

example, at a recent pirates activity day they made treasure chests and carried out treasure hunts in the garden wearing pirate costumes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder works closely with parents to meet children's individual needs and to ensure that he provides them with appropriate support. For example, children who are toilet training are fully supported in using a routine that the childminder agrees

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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 with their parents. This ensures continuity and helps children to acquire the necessary skills without confusion. A daily diary enables parents and the childminder to regularly share information and helps to form a strong partnership which supports children's welfare. Children learn to be aware of their own needs and the needs of others through sharing and taking turns and develop self-esteem and respect for others through the emphasis the childminder places on politeness. He provides a good role model and highlights the importance of respecting both his own and other people's toys and of not snatching. This helps children to develop good social skills and to work harmoniously together. Children are always praised for good behaviour and a consistent routine enables them to understand what is expected of them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children become aware of the diversity of society through carefully planned creative activities which reflect different cultures and beliefs. For example, they celebrate Divali, Halloween and Chinese New Year by making shiny decorated tins, carving pumpkins and making and colouring dragons. They have access to a wide variety of different resources such as books, dolls, dressing up and puppets which reflect ethnic diversity. Resources which reflect disability and the range of different family structures which are present in society are limited. Children are therefore less likely to be able to develop a positive understanding of the differences between people and do not always have chance to widen their experience or ask about situations with which they are unfamiliar. Children make choices and take decisions so that they feel involved in their care. For example, they select their own resources from the selection available and as they get

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Helping children make a positive contribution

older can choose if they wish to eat their lunch sitting in a high chair in the kitchen or on a chair at the dining table.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are well protected and cared for because the childminder attends regular training to enhance his knowledge and skills. His policies and procedures work in practice to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. Although he has well organised documentation he does not yet have a complaints record in place. All care providers are now required to investigate all complaints made by parents relating to the national standards and to keep a record of complaints, any action taken and the outcome of any investigation. This is a new regulation to ensure that children's welfare and care can be fully monitored. Because he works in partnership with his wife, the childminder is able to organise his time well and can give children a lot of individual support and attention. This positively supports their care, learning and play. He and his wife form a strong,

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Organisation

committed team who have a high regard for the well-being of all children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to improve his knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. He attended a child protection training course in November 2003 and now has all the relevant details readily available to report any concerns over children's welfare. This has improved children's safety.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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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): • increase the amount of resources which reflect positive images of disability and the variety of different family structures to be found within society • keep a written record of complaints, any action taken and the outcome of any investigation, as detailed in Day care and childminding: guidance to the National Standards revisions to certain criteria October 2005.

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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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