Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY345331 Inspection date 10/05/2010 Inspector Jo Rowley

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and 11 in Welwyn, Hertfordshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The family has four chickens and two guinea pigs.

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Description of the childminding

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 one child in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years and this provision is registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Children on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register share the same facilities as those on the Early Years Register.

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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

The childminder has developed effective links with parents and carers. She regularly exchanges information about the children, therefore, enabling her to have a thorough knowledge of each child's interests and needs. She uses this knowledge, and her understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, to provide a wide range of fun and enjoyable activities and experiences that support the promotion of each child's learning and development. The childminder regularly reviews and evaluates her work with the effective self-evaluation procedures she has in place, enabling her to build a clear picture of her practice and carry out improvements where required. Therefore, she provides a service which is responsive to the needs of children and their families.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that planning fully incorporates children's next steps.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is well-promoted because the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities relating to safeguarding children. She has completed additional training and has devised her own well written procedures which enable her to identify any child who may be at risk and therefore, take appropriate action. Children are building up a good understanding of how to keep themselves, and others, safe as they regularly practise the emergency escape plan and learn about how to minimise risks to each other through discussion. An example of this is when they talk about what might happen if, for example, a cushion was thrown and it hit another child. This promotes children's thinking and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 encourages them to think of others safety. Meaningful and thorough risk assessments and daily checks ensure that hazards inside and outside of the home

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the early years provision

are minimised and therefore, children's safety is well promoted. The childminder further protects children's welfare by completing a 'due diligence' record. This is used to record the temperature of each meal given to children ensuring that it is cooked appropriately and a cleaning rota to ensure that they are cared for in a clean environment.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents and carers to ensure that she fully understands each child's background and particular individual needs, therefore, providing a service which is inclusive to all children and their families. The childminder ensures that she can effectively accommodate each child where possible and fully promotes their understanding of differences. An example of this is where the current project of growing seeds is extended to find out which countries specific food originates from, this leads on further to looking at a map of the world and discussion about the different religions and cultures of these countries. This promotes children's understanding of diversity.

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the early years provision

Children have independent access to resources, which are displayed effectively, in the form of a slideshow, on the childminder's computer. This allows children to know what resources are available, even if they can't see them directly, promoting inclusion and choice for all. The childminder's procedures for self-evaluation are effective. She regularly reviews and evaluates the activities that children participate in to see how and where these can be improved to promote outcomes for children. Parent and child views are taken in to consideration as communication is well-promoted. Parents are welcomed in to the setting and they are encouraged to be involved in their child's learning and development. An example of this is where parents are invited in to the childminder's home to sample some food which their children eat. This encourages the children to try and eat the food, with very positive results. The childminder liaises with external agencies to ensure that each

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the early years provision

child is offered the support they require. She has developed strong links with staff at the local school and she shares information to ensure continuity of the children's learning and care.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment and are making good progress in all areas of their learning. They are supported in this because the childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and she implements appropriate procedures for observing children, offering them a wide range of fun and interesting activities. However, planning is not used to incorporate children's next steps and therefore, not tailored to the needs and abilities of the individual child. Children's behaviour demonstrates that they feel safe and secure. They confidently play alone, together or with the childminder, they are kind to each other and demonstrate how they have built strong friendships at the setting.

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and outcomes for children

Children have regular opportunities to make independent choices about their play, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 as they choose resources which are appropriate for the their ages and stages of development or make up games of their own, using their imaginations. Children's development is well promoted because the childminder joins in with their activities, for example, together they swap ideas about a large painting some children are making where they are painting themselves planting seeds, which they recently did in the garden. The children are encouraged, by the childminder, to mix their paint colours and she encourages them to think further as they are asked to guess what colours they might create by doing this. The childminder asks questions such as is that darker or lighter, promoting children's creative skills whilst developing their thinking. All children are happy and they respond to the childminder in a warm and

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and outcomes for children

friendly way. For example, older children are observed to go to the childminder on occasions, throughout the inspection, to tell her about their game that they have made up about an orphanage and how they are looking after each other as they play the part of orphans. The childminder offers a warm response and welcomes children's ideas. Therefore, children's self-esteem and confidence are promoted.

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and outcomes for children

Children of all ages and stages are included in all activities offered because the childminder ensures that these are adapted to suit the age and stage of each child, promoting inclusion. Children's skills in communicating, literacy, numeracy and progress in developing information and communication technology skills are developed through daily opportunities for singing, speaking and listening. This is further promoted as they have independent access to books and take part in the local library's 'team read' during the school holidays. Children are encouraged to use the computer, with support if needed, and they learn about the wider world through the use of the internet, discussion and visiting local places. An example of this is how children have recently learnt about the Romans and Celts, in line with their school project. Together, with the childminder, they visited the local Roman baths as well as the Celtic harmony camp to learn more about these cultures.

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and outcomes for children

Children's awareness of the environment and appreciation of nature is enhanced as they have regular opportunities to learn about how things grow. An example of this is how the children are currently taking care of the butternut squash, parsnips, lettuce and pumpkins that they have recently planted. Their physical development is promoted as, for example, they walk to and from school and visit local parks. The childminder ensures that even when the weather is bad and children are unable to play outside she provides them with opportunities such as music and dancing to ensure that they have regular opportunities for physical play. Children have a good understanding of the relevance of good hygiene practices and follow a healthy and well balanced diet because the childminder offers them fresh home cooked food which is prepared in line with her level two certificate in food hygiene. 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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