Childminder in HertfordshireOfsted inspection, 30 Jun 2010

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY403016 Inspection date 30/06/2010 Inspector Susan Ennis

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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 registered in 2009. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and 13 years in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The whole of the childminder's house is available for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. There is level access to the premises. The family has two hamsters and a tank with fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care on each weekday term-time and during school holidays. She is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of three children in the early years age range and is currently minding three children in this age range. She also offers care to children aged over five years and this provision is registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently no children on roll in this age group. Children on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register share the same facilities as those on the Early Years Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 provides a welcoming, secure and safe environment for all children and ensures that all are included and supported. Activities are adapted to enable all children to participate and enjoy their time at the setting. Children make sound progress in their learning and development because the childminder's flexible approach to planning generally meets their individual needs. The childminder has taken some steps to evaluate her practice and is consequently able to make changes to improve the daily care and experiences she offers the children, parents and carers. She demonstrates a growing awareness of the practice required to promote the individual needs of the children and has the capacity to improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the planning and assessment procedures to include an initial assessment for each child and to consistently show how children's next developmental steps are fed into the overall planning  review the use of attendance records to ensure their accuracy  develop the use of reflective practice to further identify your strengths and areas for improvement.  develop further the relationship with parents to ensure that they are fully included in their child's learning and development. 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 effective policies and procedures in place to ensure that all children are well protected. For example, she is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse, having attended additional training to increase her knowledge, and has the relevant contact numbers in place for reporting concerns should they arise. She ensures that all those coming into contact with the children are suitable to do so and monitors any visitors to the premises by asking for their identification and recording their presence in her visitors' book. Children's safety is further promoted as the childminder carries out daily safety checks before the children arrive and completes robust risk assessments of all areas of the house, garden and for each outing that the children participate in. However, the system for recording children's attendance is to be reviewed to ensure its accuracy and to protect the children should an accident or incident occur.

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the early years provision

Children's individual development is soundly promoted because the childminder has most procedures in place to support, monitor and evaluate their progress. The good range of available resources is actively used and the inclusive, child-friendly environment is generally conducive to children's learning. For example, low-level labelled storage encourages the children to self-select the toys they want to play with developing their independence as they do so. Children are also involved in choosing resources at the local toy library with the current favourite being a role play cleaning set.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a commitment to sustainability as she plans to attend further training to improve her knowledge and the outcomes for children. She monitors the environment and has plans for the future, such as, using the play room as a messy play area adding more variety and stimulation to the activities. She has started to evaluate her practice by distributing questionnaires to parents and completing the self-evaluation form before inspection. However, as other systems of reflective practice are limited, this is an area for further development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an active understanding of anti-discriminatory practice, enabling her to provide a service which is inclusive for all children and families. She works with the parents to ensure that she recognises each child's background, needs and beliefs. Children are gently encouraged to recognise differences and respect diversity. This is encouraged through resources such as dolls, play figures and books and activities to, for example, celebrate Chinese New Year when the children tried lychee fruits and opened fortune cookies.

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the early years provision

The childminder builds trusting and professional relationships with the parents and updates them effectively about her working practices. For example, they are sent copies of her policies and procedures by e-mail and an informative notice board details the activities taking place on the day. Verbal interaction and use of text messages and a daily diary ensures that parents are well informed about their child's welfare. However, further improvement is required to ensure that parents are fully involved in their child's learning and development. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 demonstrates an awareness of liaising with other agencies and plans to develop this area of her work once the children start attending other settings.

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and outcomes for children

Children are offered an interesting range of opportunities to support them in making satisfactory progress across the areas of learning. The childminder's flexible approach to planning ensures that children's individual needs are met. For example, activities are regularly rotated to cater for young children's limited concentration span. The childminder is generally aware of where children are in their development and uses observations to record their achievements. However, their progress is not optimally promoted because the assessment and planning procedures do not include an initial assessment and do not consistently fully utilise information regarding the children's developmental next steps.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder ensures that there is a selection of activities and resources to stimulate children's interests. Whilst playing outside children enthusiastically play with the water and sand provided. They use their problem solving skills to pour water from one container to another and watch intently as water pours from holes in a container, trying to work out where it is coming from. They then use their sense of touch to feel the sand on their hands and feet whilst the childminder extends their thinking and language skills by asking them what it feels like. They then go back to the water and enjoy the experience of pouring it over themselves so much so that they soon need a change of outfit. Children's emotional progress is developing as they regularly visit local toddler and childminder groups enabling them to play alongside their peers and learn about sharing and taking turns. They are encouraged to use appropriate behaviour and the childminder, acting as a

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and outcomes for children

positive role model, helps them make the right choices. Children learn the house rules in place and strategies such as star charts help them learn the consequences of positive behaviour as well as building their confidence and self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and welfare is effectively promoted as the childminder takes efficient steps to minimise the spread of infection and develop children's understanding of healthy living. Children know to hold their hands up for anti- bacterial gel to be put on before eating snack and reminder posters in the bathroom sensitively remind older children of good practice. Children are encouraged to choose healthy options at snack time and are learning about where food comes from as they grow tomatoes in a pot in the garden. Children are also becoming aware of their own safety. The childminder develops their independence by, for example, encouraging them to climb the slide by themselves as she stands close enough to remind them to sit properly before going down it. They are also shown how to negotiate the back door step safely and are reminded to keep their sun hat on. When out and about children are developing a sense of awareness, as

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and outcomes for children

they practice crossing the roads safely and discuss stranger danger with 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 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 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 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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