Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY218291 Inspection date 24 January 2006 Inspector Kerry Freshwater

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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 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and 16 years in Stanstead Abbots, Hertfordshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five all day and one child over eight after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler group. The family have a pet cat and four gold

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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 fish. The childminder supports children with special educational needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. They play in the garden and visit local open spaces regularly to benefit from the fresh air. Children experience a variety of physical activities using both large and small equipment. For example, they have fun on the climbing frame and rocker, ride wheeled toys, crawl through the tunnel and play in the sandpit. In the house they enjoy music and movement, building with bricks, completing the train track and finishing puzzles. Children learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They are cared for in a welcoming, clean home where they understand the importance of regular cleaning routines to keep them safe and healthy. Children have a clear understanding of why they must wash their hands after playing in the garden or using the toilet, they understand about the spread of germs and are encouraged to cover

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Helping children to be healthy

their faces when they cough or sneeze. Children learn about keeping their bodies healthy through discussion with the childminder. Children are beginning to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They know which type of food is good to eat and will help them grow up big and strong. Children enjoy healthy fruit snacks and have access to water or juice throughout the day. The childminder is aware of the wishes of parents and accommodates this when providing foods for children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in an exceptionally safe, warm and welcoming environment. The childminder has an excellent understanding of safety issues; children have space to move around safely and freely as she has minimised risks to keep them safe from harm. Children learn about the dangers as the childminder helps them to understand how to keep safe. For example, as they practise fire evacuation and learn about road safety using pelican and zebra crossings. All children have access to a superb range of quality toys and resources, which are suitable for their ages and stages of development. Resources have been carefully chosen to support children's play and are regularly checked for hygiene and safety. All children readily help themselves from the well organised selection so they can follow their own interests. Required documents and procedures are in place and are well maintained to

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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 safeguard children's welfare. For example, accident are recorded, parent's consents sought and the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. Children are very well protected as the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection. She has good procedures in place to ensure children are closely monitored and supervised whilst sleeping.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children clearly enjoy their time with the childminder and have established warm and affectionate relationships with her, which contributes to their sense of belonging. The childminder has an excellent understanding of child development and this enables her to offer flexible, high quality care, which is sited to each child. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contributes to their creativity and imagination, such as listening and dancing to music, drawing and art and craft. Children display high levels of confidence in their daily activities and are successfully developing their independence skills, as they busy themselves and become absorbed in their activities. Children's early communication skills are extremely well supported through stimulating interaction with the childminder as they discuss their activities and talk about what they are doing. The childminder is adept at encouraging children to make very good progress in all

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

areas of development. For example, she uses skilful open ended questioning so children can demonstrate what they know. The childminder finds out about the children's skills, interests and needs and builds on this information effectively to hep children to fulfil their potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's individual needs and characters are clearly understood and respected by the childminder. All children are welcomed and included in the provision. The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and to help children understand their differences and similarities. Children with special needs are very well cared for. The childminder has an exceptional understanding of special needs and this enables her to offer effective support to children and parents. Children's behaviour is excellent. The childminder has a clear and consistent approach to behaviour management, which means children know what is expected of them and they feel secure. Children play happily together, sharing and taking turns as the childminder uses her effective negotiating skills to encourage and help them develop their relationships with one another.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The excellent partnership with parents contributes significantly to the children's care and well-being. The childminder gathers and shares extensive information with

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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 parents and ensures that parents are well informed of their child's achievements and progress. This ensures that children's care, health, happiness and development is greatly enhanced.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children's needs are met through very effective organisation and good communication with parents. Space and equipment is prepared so that children can access resources easily and independently which enables them to make choices about their play. A balance of child-led activities and organised play ensure children have a range of different enjoyable experiences whilst they are with the childminder. They benefit from routines which make them feel secure and relaxed. Children play, eat, sleep and rest as they need to. Documentation is stored securely and information shared appropriately with parents. All of the required policies and procedures are in place to help keep children healthy and safeguard their welfare. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge and experience. She has completed the Introduction to Childminding Practice and holds a current first aid qualification.

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Organisation

Overall, the needs of all the children who attend are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain parent's consents for emergency medical treatment and to keep Ofsted notified of any changes. The childminder is aware of the need to keep Ofsted notified of all changes and has obtained parent's consent for emergency medical treatment.

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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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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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • improve the outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework • ensure appropriate and prompt action is taken on any concerns raised and investigate any complaints. Notify complainants of the outcome within 28 days and maintain a record of all complaints. Share appropriate information from that record with parents on request.

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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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