Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 129186 Inspection date 04 January 2006 Inspector Paula Durrant

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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 has been registered since 1992. She lives with her husband and three children aged 16, 14 and 12 years in a rural suburb of Hertfordshire. She is registered to provide care for six children at any one time and is currently minding six children, three under five years and three over the age of five years all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, with the exception of the conservatory which is used for supervised activities only. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She takes children to the park and makes full use of other local amenities. The family has a dog, cat,

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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 budgerigar and goldfish.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn the value of good health as they are guided in meeting their self care needs. Children know when and why they wash their hands as this is part of the daily routine and conversations about cleanliness and germs are frequently held. Children stay healthy as the childminder ensures high levels of hygiene within the home. Good unwritten procedures underpin the childminders working practise. This includes adherence to Environmental Health guidance for changing and disposing of nappies, storage and preparation of foods and exclusion periods for childhood diseases. A conscientious approach to the well being of other children ensures the potential of cross contamination is minimised. The childminder is flexible in the provision of meals working in partnership with parents and carers. Current practise is that all parents provide a packed lunch which is stored by the childminder in her fridge until required. Children learn about healthy

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Helping children to be healthy

eating as the childminder encourages children to eat savoury foods prior to sweet items. She talks to the children about the foods they have and their likes and dislikes. Should a child not eat what has been provided then the childminder will supplement the parents provision. She has a clear understanding of individual dietary needs. Children receive regular drinks throughout the day. Water is preferential as the childminder is aware that it is a healthier option that does not damage teeth of affect their diet. Children have daily opportunities to exert energy and gain fresh air. Children regularly take the dog for a walk and enjoy the opportunities provided to explore their environment as they run around in the woods discovering natural habitats of insects and animals and identify different types of trees and leaves. They also attend the local parks and use the garden equipment to enhance physical control of their

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Helping children to be healthy

bodies. Children rest and are active in accordance to their needs.

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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 safe secure family home where all necessary safety precautions remain in place. The childminder is highly vigilant undertaking daily checks of the home prior to children's attendance. Children remain in sight and hearing at all times. Children access a diverse range of resources that are suitably maintained. The childminder abides to manufacturer's recommendations providing age appropriate equipment that holds a recognised safety kite mark. Children learn to keep

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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 themselves safe as the childminder explains house rules and road safety when out. However, children do not benefit from developing an awareness of fire safety or how to evacuate the house in an emergency as there are no formal procedures in place. Children's welfare is priority in this household. Children are cared for by a suitable adult who has a clear understanding of child development. The childminder has completed vetting checks and demonstrates a strong knowledge of child protection. She knows where and how to record and report concerns in line with the local Area Child Protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very confident within their environment. They have exceptionally close relationships with the childminder. They freely access her for affection and to involve her in their play. For example, children actively invite the childminder to play alongside them in their imaginary small world play with the 'Happy Street' as they work cooperatively together building the road and sorting the animals and figures into different locations. Children display good levels of concentration as they remain at activities for a reasonable period of time. This is partially due to the availability of interesting and stimulating play materials in addition to the effective engagement by the childminder who consistently extends children's mathematical and language skills through exceptional open-ended questioning. Children's needs are effectively met as the childminder knows the children well. She

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

uses her knowledge of child development to promote challenges that progress children's achievements. For example, she has devised her own teaching aids for number and colour recognition. These include use of varying weights of coloured materials to identify colour and weight and different shaped number cards to teach number and shape recognition. Children develop a clear understanding of how to behave as they receive praise for their achievements. They know to help tidy away resources when they have finished and to play with one thing at a time.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder gives lots of praise for their achievements and meets their needs through the daily routine as discussed with parents. The childminder ensures that daily discussion about the service provided keeps parents informed. Children behave very well in response to the childminder's consistent boundaries and high expectations. The use of a sharing box that stores an imaginary object enhances children's concept of taking turns and playing together cooperatively. Children use social graces without prompt and know to ask permission to access specific areas of the home such as, the upstairs

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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 bathroom. Children develop some understanding of the wider world as they access resources and books that promote positive images. The childminder is very open and talks to the children about differences. For example, children gain a knowledge of special needs and the impact of hearing loss as they learn to stand either to the child's good hearing side of face them when they talk to them.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel part of an extended family and are comfortable in this well-organised and inviting environment. Children confidently choose activities and extend their own play and learning in an imaginative way. The childminder effectively uses her unwritten procedures and routines to effectively promote the welfare, care and learning of all the children. All written parental permissions are in place. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last Children Act inspection the childminder was required to complete an appropriate first aid course for infants and young children and to maintain a record of accidental injuries and medication administered with parental consent. Children's health is adequately maintained as the childminder now holds a valid first aid qualification and there are appropriate systems in place to document accidents and medication administered with parental permission. The childminder was also required to obtain sufficient detail on all minded children, inclusive of name, address, date of birth and emergency contact details. The childminder was also required to ensure attendance records accurately reflect the children in attendance, to monitor potential hazards in the household and to develop her knowledge of Child Protection, inclusive of the local Area Child Protection contact numbers. Children's welfare is promoted as

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Improvements since the last inspection

the childminder maintains all required data for children and contact details for parents. She has developed her risk assessment procedures to ensure daily checks of the premises to eradicate potential hazards and has gained a copy of the Local Area Child Protection Committee leaflet which includes the process to be followed in the event of a concern arising and the numbers to whom to report a concern.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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): • ensure that there is a formal procedure in place for emergency evacuation and that this is practised regularly and documented as reference that they have taken place.

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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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