Childminder in HertfordshireOfsted inspection, 10 Nov 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY304079 Inspection date 10 November 2005 Inspector Gillian Charlesworth

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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 was registered in March 2005. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 4 and 6 years in the St. Stephens area of St. Albans, close to the local school, supermarket and park. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and has toilet facilities. The first floor is used for older children’s free play, for undisturbed rest and has bathroom facilities. The second floor is not registered. There is a fully enclosed secure garden for outside play that is equipped with small and large apparatus.

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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 The childminder often walks to the local school to take or collect children and also has a car to transport children. She is registered to care for 4 children at any one time and is currently minding 4 children over four days per week, of whom, 1 is over 8 years of age. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). The family have no pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children take part in a range of physical activities which contribute to their good health. They often make trips to the local park and have regular opportunities for fresh air as they frequently walk to the local school. All children join in singing and dancing which the childminder incorporates into the children’s routine. This enables them to develop control of their bodies with enjoyment. Children are cared for in a warm, comfortable home. They are encouraged to learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care through hand washing routines and independently using tissues for themselves and others. They are supported by a childminder who implements good practice herself, for example, using disposable gloves for nappy changing and adapting her practices following the completion of a food hygiene course. Parents receive basic information on arrangements for sickness which principally contributes towards minimising cross infection. In addition children

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Helping children to be healthy

use colour coded individual hand-towels and flannels and, as part of the daily routine, they clean their teeth after breakfast. The childminder is committed to ensuring that young children’s individual routines such as naps are respected. For example, there are contingency plans for friends to collect the childminder’s own children from school if minded children are still sleeping. Children enjoy a healthy diet and are encouraged to make healthy choices and try new food. For example they are consulted on the options for sandwich fillings and finger vegetables and enjoy choosing from the variety, mixing and matching to suit their preferences. They are well nourished with home-cooked meals which are mostly freshly prepared with alternatives readily available if children dislike their first choice. Children sit together socially at meal times and are regularly encouraged to drink from their beakers which are always available within the play area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a comfortable, spacious home where the environment is geared towards the needs of young children. For example, in addition to comfortable adult furniture, children freely use a child-size sofa-bed that is positioned prominently within the play area. This means that children can relax comfortably watching TV or when playing with toys.

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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 There is a wide range of well organised resources and activities in good condition for children to select from. They are rotated frequently and incorporate children’s current favourites such as cars and trucks, appropriate for children’s age and stage of development. Children are familiar with where to find equipment such as colouring and painting materials and know that tee shirts are available to protect their clothes during messy play. Risks are conscientiously identified and minimised. Combined with effective supervision, this means that children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. Children are encouraged to understand how to play safely as the childminder gently reminds them to use appropriate surfaces to play. Procedures for fire evacuation have been devised to protect children and will be practised when the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children are fully settled. Arrangements for the storage of the fire blanket are being reviewed. This is because the childminder has only recently begun her practice. Children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted through the childminder’s commitment to improve her knowledge through training. She also has all the required written procedures and information to hand. She understands and actively uses NCMA recording materials to protect the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder is new to childminding. Children benefit from sound settling-in procedures which are arranged to provide them with maximum support and continuity of care. They are confident and at ease in the setting and are developing secure, trusting relationships. This is because the childminder is particularly attentive and offers constant reassurance and support. This also contributes towards the children’s emotional and intellectual well-being. There is a strong focus on child-led activities which are wide ranging and children show a high level of independence as they make decisions and choices about their activities. Activities include craft, colouring, painting, free play, dancing, stories and imaginative play. Children often become immersed in activities such as matching shapes to pictures and their enthusiasm is enhanced as the childminder interacts and values their contributions. They are aware of their own needs and the needs of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

others. For example, they dress themselves competently when they return from Nursery with the childminder close at hand offering support if needed. They identify when another child needs a tissue which they willingly fetch and offer to the childminder. Children are confident to freely express themselves. For example pre-school children initiate meaningful and relaxed conversations with the childminder while toddlers convey meaning through vocal communication which is swiftly acknowledged and acted upon by the childminder. The childminder’s genuine interest means that children are becoming increasingly self-assured and confident. All children flourish as they absorb new concepts. For example, after lunch pre-school children show an interest in materials used to keep food fresh. The childminder takes time to explain, discuss and explore materials such as cling film, plastic containers and clips to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 extend their learning. A toddler is helped to understand how to operate simple equipment to enable him to begin to move his cars up and down in a garage lift. The childminder has regard to 'Birth to three matters' framework and is currently developing a recording system to plot young children’s progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They benefit from the childminder's genuine concern for their well-being. For example, they enjoy spontaneous cuddles for reassurance and benefit from effective settling-in procedures. The childminder works well with parents to promote continuity of care for the children. She provides them with a range of written information to support her practice although this is not always updated to reflect revisions to guidance such as complaints procedures. As a result, at times parents may not be fully aware of current procedures for the effective management of their children. Children’s needs are met well as they bring comforters from home (which are always accessible) and follow their interests and individual routines such as daily sleep patterns. This has a positive effect on children’s well being and emotional stability. Information is shared with parents both verbally and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

through a daily diary. This enables parents to comment on routines to further benefit the children’s care. Children have developed a strong sense of belonging in the short period they have been attending. For example, they use fridge magnets independently to display their activities and they seek out a favourite blanket stored in a drawer. Play materials reflecting diversity and the wider world are not routinely used by the children in their every day play. As a result children have few opportunities to develop their awareness of diversity through play and this limits the quality of their experiences. This is because the childminder has not prioritised focussed activities or made suitable resources freely available for children to select. Children behave well and respond to the childminder’s positive methods for behaviour management. This includes warmly rewarding children for their positive contributions through praise and clapping according to their level of understanding.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This, in turn, helps children feel valued and self assured. Pre school children are beginning to show awareness of their own needs and the needs of others. All children are encouraged to begin to take responsibility. For example, a toddler responds well to encouragement to tidy away cars before moving on to a colouring activity.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminders commitment to develop her knowledge through a range of workshops. She has attended the courses required for registration and is scheduled to complete the final part of her first aid qualification next week.

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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 Children feel at home and at ease in the well organised environment. Resources and equipment are stored in designated containers and always presented at the child’s level. This means that children are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Children benefit from the childminder’s organisation of part-time attendance which ensures that she has the time and space to give them individual attention and meet their needs effectively. Policies and procedures are in place to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. They are shared with parents to keep them well informed about the service and their child’s activities. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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): • develop knowledge and ability to routinely promote diversity through activities and resources • improve methods to review information and ensure that parents are informed and updated of any changes to guidance, such as the complaints procedures.

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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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