Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY244124 Inspection date 18 April 2006 Inspector Hilary Preece

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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 satisfactory. 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 2003. He lives with his wife, who is also a registered childminder, and two adult sons. They live in west Watford close to Watford General Hospital and within walking distance of local schools, shops and parks. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding with access to the upstairs bathroom. There is a garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding five children under five at different times throughout the week. In addition, he is minding three children over five before and after school. The

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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 childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. There are no family pets. The childminder works closely with his wife, sharing the childminding responsibilities in the home. His wife also works part-time at a local pre-school.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from daily fresh air and exercise when they walk to and from school. They regularly enjoy running about and using play equipment in the local park. Children recognise when they are tired and can choose to sleep or curl up quietly on the settee. Children enjoy the social occasion of sitting together to eat their packed lunches brought from home. Sometimes they are offered healthy fruit or yogurt for snacks but there is little emphasis on why such foods are important for their growth. More often, they choose the less healthy options of cakes or biscuits and so do not receive the nutritious foods needed for healthy growth. Children receive appropriate first aid treatment and care when they are sick because the childminder keeps his first aid training up-to-date. Appropriate records are kept of accidents and medication given to children, and medical needs are verbally

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Helping children to be healthy

discussed with parents. However, prior written permission from parents for the childminder to administer medication has not been obtained. This is a breach of regulation and poses a risk to children's safety. Children develop some understanding of the importance of caring for their personal hygiene. They are encouraged to use tissues and wipes as necessary and can dispose of these safely. However, less emphasis is placed on regular hand washing before eating so children are not fully protected from the spread of germs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming and generally safe home. The childminder carries out basic checks of the premises to ensure that risks to children are minimised. Children can easily and safely access a good range of toys and equipment. These are cleaned regularly and consideration is given to their suitability for the age of the child. Children develop an awareness of how to stay safe when out and about. They are protected by appropriate equipment, such as the use of buggies, harnesses and car seats. They are taught about road safety and learn to respect regularly reinforced boundaries for playing safely in the garden and parks. Children's welfare is protected because sound child protection procedures are followed. The childminder's co-worker has attended training in this area and has

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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 up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the subject. This is shared between the childminders so that both offer the children the same level of protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and have developed positive relationships with the childminder and his co-minder. They show developing independence in their play and during their daily routines. They express their needs very well and confidently ask questions. They develop self-esteem because the childminder is interested in what they say and do. Children enjoy a stimulating range of outings to the local parks and amenities. They excitedly take bread to feed the ducks and enjoy special visits to Roman ruins. This gives them positive experiences of the natural world and a developing sense of the past. They engage in self-chosen play and make good use of toys and resources. Children are interested and engaged in what they choose to do. They express their ideas and use their imaginations well in pretend play. Children develop good communication skills. They love to look at books and are skilful in recalling their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

favourite stories. They are challenged in their thinking, for example when counting or re-telling stories. Older children enjoy construction activities and receive good support from the childminder to develop their ideas.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel secure and settled in this homely environment. They are relaxed in the company of all members of the family. Children develop an awareness of our diverse society and respect for others through practical activities. They make cards to celebrate Easter and the festival of Diwali, and they have fun speaking some basic French. Children with special needs are welcomed because the childminders adopt a fully inclusive approach. Children are beginning to understand responsible behaviour. They share their resources and show a developing awareness of the needs of others. For example, they agree to swap their books with each other when they have finished looking at them. Children learn to respect boundaries for their behaviour because these are reinforced from the start. Children are cared for according to their parents' wishes. Their changing needs are met because the childminders are flexible in the care that they offer. Children benefit

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Helping children make a positive contribution

from regular verbal communication between the parents and childminder. Parents receive daily feedback on what their children have been doing. Contracts with parents and children's records are mostly up-to-date. The childminder now realises the importance of these accurately reflecting the terms of agreement and will ensure these are reviewed. The childminder has also agreed to implement a facility to record any complaints received, in line with new regulations.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the childminder and his co-minder being equally committed to promoting their care. They work in close partnership, which ensures that children receive consistent care from both. They ensure that training requirements, such as first aid, are met and that new skills and knowledge is shared. The childminders organise their time so that he takes care of the children whilst his co-minder works part-time at a local pre-school and they share responsibilities when both at home. Children gain from the high level of attention they receive when both childminders are working together. The childminder organises the limited space and resources sufficiently so that children have easy access to all the resources they need. Children's welfare, safety and development are promoted by generally sound policies, procedures and documents. These are understood and implemented by

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Organisation

both childminders, though further attention to detail is required in order to meet regulations. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop resources that promote children's understanding of the wider world, cultures and disability. Children learn about the wider world and diversity through playing with multicultural dolls and play figures, sharing books and experiences relating to their own cultures and backgrounds.

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Complaints 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. There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004.

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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 satisfactory. 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):

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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 • obtain prior written permission from parents to administer any medication to children • improve children's health and hygiene by developing children's understanding of making healthy choices in their diet, and ensuring hygiene routines, such as regular hand washing, are followed at all times.

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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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