Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY309507 Inspection date 02 March 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 September 2005. She lives with her husband and their 2 children aged 3 and 2 years in a property within a rural suburb of Hertfordshire. She is registered to provide care for 3 children at any time and is currently minding 1 child under the age of 5 years on a part-time basis. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Children requiring undisturbed sleep have access to a bedroom on the first floor. The childminder takes children to local mother and toddler groups and makes full use of other local amenities. The family has no pets. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care as they follow the daily routine. They know when and why they wash their hands due to the consistent intervention of the childminder who explains about germs and the effects that they can cause to their bodies, making them poorly and unwell. Exemplary practises such as the wearing of latex gloves when changing nappies, the use of antibacterial solutions to cleanse hands and individual towels and bed linen all contributes to the prevention of cross contamination. Children's health is promoted as the childminder rigorously adheres to her sick child policy. She does not encourage the attendance of children who are under the weather or whom display symptoms that require an incubation period. This means that the potential for spread of infection is minimised. Children's needs are met in the event of a medical emergency as the childminder holds a current first aid qualification

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Helping children to be healthy

and ensures sufficient medical supplies are available in her first aid box. All accidental injuries and medication administered are recorded in line with registration requirements. Children receive a varied, balanced and nutritious diet. The childminder is flexible in the provision of food working in partnership with parents. All meals are home cooked from fresh ingredients and consideration is given to children's preferences when planning menus. Individual dietary needs are adhered to. Children remain well hydrated as drinks are offered frequently throughout the day. Children enjoy a wide range of physical activities which contribute to their good health. Trips to the local playground and activity centres are frequent. They also have access to a secure and safe garden area which is suitably equipped with a range of challenging resources to develop increased control and coordination. Children rest and are active in accordance to their needs. Younger children sleep in line with home

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Helping children to be healthy

care routines whilst older children sit quietly watching a favourite children's programme on television following lunch to recuperate their energy levels.

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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. For example, children who sleep are monitored as a listening baby alarm is in place. Children access a diverse range of resources that are suitably maintained. The childminder only purchases equipment from reputable companies abiding to the manufacturer's recommendations in its usage. She is extremely aware of the

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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 diversity of ages of children in attendance. She therefore separates equipment into age-appropriate containers in order to promote safe opportunities for increased independence in addition to supervising children closely when playing with their choice of toy. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder explains house rules and road safety when out. They know to sit down when eating as they may choke, not to climb on furniture as they may fall and hurt themselves and to sit on their bottoms when coming down the stairs so that they can safely manage the descent without coming to any harm. They are aware of holding hands or the pushchair when walking alongside busy roads and keeping their safety restraints fastened when in the childminder's vehicle as the childminder constantly offers gentle reminders of safe

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

procedures. 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 confident and settled in their surroundings. The childminder is highly attentive to the children in her care providing a range of practical age appropriate activities that inspire interest and promote challenge. She recognises individual preferences such as the desire to play alone and to make independent choices in the selection of favourite play materials. Children develop positive levels of self-esteem as they experiment and reaffirm their skills such as when playing with the shape sorter. They persevere with their set task maintaining good levels of concentration as they turn and select the correct shaped inset for their piece to fit through. The childminder is very competent in providing a range of stimulating activities which she prepares in readiness on her formal daily planner. Although planning mechanisms are in place to guide the childminder in promoting equal coverage of all

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

areas of development this is not set in stone. The childminder is intuitive to the children's needs and recognises that on occasion other interests may take precedence. She is very skilled at taking her lead from the children and in implementing incidental learning. For example, during lunch older children gained an opportunity to develop their language and mathematical skills through the creative management of open-ended questioning. They were able to link initial letter sounds such as celery starting with a 'curly c' and calculate the number of tomatoes left on their plates working out who had more and who had less.

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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 Children's individual needs take high priority in this home-from-home provision. A strong working partnership with parents supports the individual care needs and delivery of service. Mutual respect, love and understanding all play an integral part of the childminder's practice. For example, children who are new are given time to settle and to form relationships slowly as the childminder gets to know the child and the child the childminder. Recognition is given to individuality and to preferences such as the desire to play independently whilst observing others around them. Children are beginning to develop a sense of belonging as they seek out the childminder responding to her voice and movements around the room. Children are exceptionally polite, courteous and respectful of the childminder and her

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Helping children make a positive contribution

home. They know the house rules and use social graces, such as please and thank you, without prompt. Children play an active part in their own learning. They make independent decisions in their play and the activities that they wish to participate in. They have positive levels of self-esteem and respect the opinions and actions of others because the childminder consistently praises their efforts and re-affirms their achievements, guiding their social and moral development. Although the childminder provides resources and activities to develop children's awareness of diversity she has limited understanding or experience of special needs. She is keen to expand her skills and to increase her knowledge of different conditions and to overcome restrictions in accessibility of her environment, activities and play resources in order to fully promote inclusion. The childminder promotes a highly effective two-way communication system between

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Helping children make a positive contribution

home and her provision. Children's needs are fully complied with due to the use of written daily dairies and exceptionally close liaisons with parents and carers. An open working partnership and effective systems to manage concerns means that the childminder is proactive in responding to current legislative changes and to taking responsibility for her service level.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children thrive in this highly organised and stimulating environment. The childminder dedicates her time and energy purely to the care of the children. She constantly pursues ways in which to enhance her skills. For example, recent courses undertaken include First aid, Introduction to childminding practice and 'Birth to three Matters'. She also maintains a training log as a personal development plan highlighting courses of interest for future attendance such as Healthy eating, Behaviour management, Motivating children to take indoors outdoors, Supporting play- not directed, Child protection and an extension of her childminding qualification with the Diploma and Extended Certificate in practice. This demonstrates a firm commitment and dedication to developing and increasing her skills in the childcare field and to providing children with quality learning opportunities drawn from play.

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Organisation

The childminder is extremely conscientious. She recognises her strengths and her areas for development. She has embraced the National Standards and frameworks that guide good childcare practice. For example, the childminder effectively

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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 implements the 'Birth to three matters' framework to underpin the essence and learning objectives for young children. She has devised her own personal written policies and maintains a flexible approach in the implementation of her activity planner. This means that children gain exceptional opportunities to contribute to their health, safety, enjoyment and achievement. Overall, the needs of the children attending are met.

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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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • further enhance awareness of inclusive practice, this refers to knowledge of a range of special needs and the intended approach to adapt activities to ensure all children's needs are met.

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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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