Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY404853 Inspection date 21/09/2010 Inspector ISP Inspection

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2010. She lives with her husband and children aged four and five years in Welwyn, Hertfordshire. The house is located close to amenities and schools. The whole of the house except for the first floor bedroom is used for childminding, there is a downstairs cloakroom. There is access to a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of which two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in this age group. The childminder also offers care to children before and after school. She is registered with Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to collect children from local schools in the area and she attends toddler and childminding groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage enabling her to promote children's play and learning to a good standard. All children benefit from an inclusive setting where they are supported in their learning and play with a wide range of experiences and activities. Comprehensive documents are in place to keep children safe and for the smooth running of the provision. There is an effective self-evaluation process in place. This enables the childminder to review her practice and to ensure continuous improvements that promote outcomes for all children. The partnership with parents and other early years settings is a particular strength of this provision. It is significant in making sure the needs of all the children are recognised and met.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 ensure plans show how observations and assessments are linked to the early learning goals and how these include planning for the next steps in the children's learning

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of her role in safeguarding children. She has the information from the Local Safeguarding Children Board This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 (LSCB) readily available alongside notes from the training session she has attended. She further ensures the safety of the children in her care as suitability checks have been carried out on all members of the household and she has established another registered childminder as emergency cover. Children are kept safe through well-managed supervision, the use of appropriate safety equipment and effective risk assessments for the home, car and when walking out in the community. These identify and minimise hazards for children of all ages. Children are encouraged to use a wide range of resources both in the play room and lounge. Toys are stored appropriately around the home to enable children to make

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the early years provision

The childminder has an exemplary relationship with the parents and the children she cares for. She provides a parent library with information of the local pre-school services and provisions as well as sharing books and early years leaflets. Texts and photographs are sent to parents to share important aspects of the children's day. Children s views are sought on what activities they really enjoy. The detail is used as part of the learning journey to plan for future play opportunities. Parents are encouraged to share in their children's experiences and have the opportunity to review their learning journals on a regular basis, they are encouraged to make written comments and share aspects of the children's learning at home with the childminder. Well-managed policies and procedures underpin the childminder's effective care routines which ensure children's individual needs are recognised and met in full. The childminder promotes an inclusive setting; resources, activities and

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the early years provision

community events are used to promote the children's understanding of the wider world.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly committed to working in partnership with others and takes a lead role in establishing effective working relationships. Strong links with the reception class ensures children who start nursery and who move onto school are well supported. Information regarding the early years curriculum is linked to activities at the childminder's home. She is currently chair person for the local pre- school, she uses the local children's centre services to support and enhance her practice. An effective self-evaluation process is in place. A questionnaire for parents is being established and used as supporting evidence in this process. The childminder has identified areas of her practice she wishes to develop. She has booked future training through the local authority early years team to promote good outcomes and extend the provision she provides for all children.

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and outcomes for children

Children build secure relationships and settle well. They develop a warm and trusting relationship with their carer which contributes to young children feeling safe and happy. They are familiar with the routines and ask to go for a morning nap. The resting children are monitored, they are very content as they sing and babble before falling asleep.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress in areas of their development. They have many opportunities for both planned and spontaneous play as they have easy access to a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 range of interesting resources. The childminder makes good use of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage early years framework in order to plan activities for each child's developmental stage. Observations, plans and records of the children's achievements are well organised and clearly show that all children take part in a varied range of experiences both in the home and out in the community. However, some observations are not fully linked to the early learning goals and planning for the children's next steps in their learning is not fully established.

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and outcomes for children

Activities are based on the children's individual likes and interests. Older children take part in imaginative art projects which are displayed around the play room. These are often linked to the topics at school which develops and extends their learning in the home setting. All children are able to freely access age-appropriate resources, their play ideas are extended and well supported by their childminder. Children show great concentration and play very happily with a good range of quality toys and resources. They re-enact every day routines with dolls and pushchairs, chatting and interacting well with their carer. Children enjoy sitting with their childminder and reading. They repeat familiar lines and recognise favourite characters as their language and understanding is extended in a gentle and supportive manner by the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Versatile plans, use of the local community and visits to activity sessions and the local children's farm promote and extend the children's learning over all aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder provides all children with an exciting range of learning experiences that establish skills for future learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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