Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY261996 Inspection date 28/06/2010 Inspector Anahita Aderianwalla

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and five years in St Albans, Hertfordshire. The whole of the house, except two first floor bedrooms, is used for childminding. There is an area in the childminder's garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder may care for no more than four children under eight years; of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group, and of these, not more than one may be under one at an one time; and is currently minding six children in the Early years range on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered on the early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. 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 outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are warmly welcomed into the setting, are positively encouraged to participate in all play situations and have the ample opportunity to make decisions and choices. Children make excellent progress in their learning and development through the childminder's in-depth knowledge and understanding of them. She ensures she establishes their individual needs and she provides activities that take into account their interests and capabilities. This creates an exceptionally inclusive environment where children's individual needs are met in full. The childminder is continually looking at ways to improve her setting, demonstrates a very good understanding of her strengths and areas for development, which effectively contributes to the ongoing improvement of the service. As well as this, a high priority is attached to children's welfare. Partnerships with parents and other early years provisions is highly effective, as is the process for self-evaluation.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Consequently, the scope for continuous improvement is excellent.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continue taking part in relevant training to promote professional development.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly professional. A high priority is given to safeguarding. The childminder's clear understanding of child protection issues helps to protect children from unsuitable people and dangerous situations. She carries out This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 thorough risk assessments to prevent accidents and teaches children how to stay safe. For example, they practise road safety, take part in fire drills and discuss what to do in the event of an emergency. Children’s welfare is safeguarded extremely well, as the childminder and other household members have had suitable checks completed. The children's knowledge about personal safety is encouraged by introducing a 'chockeometer', which is used by older children to recognise and help them to remove small toys, that younger babies may choke on. In addition, the childminder gives gentle reminders to pick up the toys so they do

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the early years provision

not trip, and plans road safety activities and practises regular fire drills. This positively contributes to children developing a sense of danger and how to keep themselves safe.

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the early years provision

Children’s play opportunities are maximised through the highly effective organisation of space, time and resources. The childminder’s ongoing commitment to training has a significantly positive impact on the exceptional quality of care provided. She is enthusiastic and passionate about driving forward with improvements to ensure better outcomes for children. The childminder has completed a self-evaluation form, which has helped her to focus on the service she offers. This has resulted in a safer environment being ensured.

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the early years provision

Documentation is impeccable. It is very well organised, readily available, stored securely to protect confidentiality and information is regularly updated. All records are in place and there are written policies to meet all the legal requirements. The childminder ensures, parents are aware of the complaints procedure and a poster is displayed that explains how to contact Ofsted. This high level of organisation ensures that the service offered by the childminder contributes to the children's ongoing safety and well-being.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with professionals and other carers are firmly established and the childminder has systems in place to share information to maintain continuous care. Partnership with parents is excellent. Parents are given very good quality written information when their children start, which clearly explains the childminder's role and responsibilities. The childminder has very thorough written documents that gather purposeful information that contributes to the settling-in processes becoming effortless and reassuring parents that their children are in the best care. Parents are kept extremely well informed of their children's progress and experiences through daily discussions with the childminder, daily diaries and information displayed on the notice board for parents.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has attended training on the Early Years Foundation Stage, and demonstrates a very good understanding and commitment to implementing it extremely well. Her comprehensive knowledge of individual children fosters a firm feeling of trust and security. The childminder's highly perceptive observations and assessments of the children enable her to plan a rich and exciting curriculum that takes into account children's individual starting points, abilities and interests. Planning is motivated by the interests of the children and children's progress is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 tracked in their individual record books. All six areas of learning are covered and the childminder ensures that the activities are a good mix of indoor, outdoor and child-initiated play. Children are making excellent progress towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

The children have excellent opportunities to develop their communication, language and literacy skills. The childminder builds on their fascination with reading and writing by providing them with very good quality and age appropriate books and meaningful opportunities to practise their mark making skills. This is further enhanced by children having free access to electronic toys and other interactive resources. Children have plenty of opportunity to engage in play that allows them to problem solve. For example, they learn about concepts such as how water moves, floating, volume, water levels, and vacuum as they play with a variety of water tubes, boats and various resources that challenge children of all abilities. The childminder is extremely skilled in providing the exact amount of support needed to guide children to discover the world around them.

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and outcomes for children

Children are active or restful through choice and sleep in-line with their individual needs and parents' wishes. Sensible arrangements with parents are made when they are sick so ensuring children's safety and welfare. Regular outings familiarise the children with the local community and help them to develop important social skills. They visit toddler groups, shops and libraries. Daily walks to and from local areas keep children alert and refreshed. Regular outings to the park are popular. The children love exploring the local woods, where the childminder talks to them about seasons, listening to birds, and naming different trees and talks about the habitats of the animals that live there. Energetic activities like playing on large apparatus in the park promote the children's physical development, as do the appetising meals and snacks that they eat.

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and outcomes for children

The children behave very well. They are able to make friends and respect each other, and respond to the expectations of others. They celebrate festivals from around the world and see positive images of diversity in the wealth of readily available resources. Relationships are excellent and, as a result, children are happy and secure. They receive exceptional support from the childminder, who is an excellent role model with exemplary childminding practice. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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