Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY259617 Inspection date 19/01/2011 Inspector Lynne Talbot

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in June 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and 12 years in Bushey, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet cat.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to provide care on each weekday during term-time and school holidays. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both of the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently nine children attending part-time hours, six of whom are within the early years age range. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and preschools.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's individuality is recognised by the childminder who has a very good understanding of their needs and interests. She creates an effective working relationship with parents and is beginning to develop partnerships with other settings that children attend. These steps ensure that children's needs are met and that activities offered support good progress overall in their learning. The childminder takes steps to promote children's health and welfare through established daily routines, minimising most risks and establishing good safeguarding awareness. However, there is no record of risk assessment maintained which is a breach of regulations. The childminder has a positive and proactive attitude towards continued development but this is yet to be fully developed to enable reflection on the overall care and continued outcomes for children.

p.4

further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.4

further?

 keep a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, the date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation). 11/02/2011

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 record details of fire evacuation drills carried out in a fire log book; detail any This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 problems encountered and how they were resolved  gain further understanding of reflective practice in order to confidently identify aspects of the childminding service that are done well, and those aspects that might be improved, so as to continue to promote good outcomes for children  develop links with all other settings providing for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure continuity and coherence to support outcomes for children.

p.4

the early years provision

Children's welfare is well promoted because the childminder has a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has a firm understanding of her roles and responsibilities relating to safeguarding implementing clear procedures which fully protect children. The childminder ensures that all persons required undertake the appropriate checks to safeguard children. Risk assessments for the home are undertaken frequently with extensive policies and a detailed list for daily checks. Records of risk assessment are maintained for all outings undertaken. However, whilst the impact on children's safety is minimal, the specific legal requirement for keeping a record of risk assessment is not met and is a breach of regulations. Children explore with close supervision and take part in daily safety awareness routines. They learn about road safety, safety in the home and take part in regular fire evacuation drills to broaden their personal safety awareness. However, there is

p.5

the early years provision

no record of fire evacuation drills and consequently this means that problems encountered may not be reviewed to improve safety. Procedures for illness and medical assistance are well planned with back-up support organised to ensure children's safety.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder offers an inclusive service for all children in her care and ensures that she understands each child's background, culture, beliefs or individual need in order to tackle discrimination. She seeks training and follows any required programme for individual medical needs ensuring that she is vigilant in monitoring and supporting children. She is aware of individual learning styles and uses this in daily planning thereby making sure that every child is supported to reach their potential. Children are able to borrow items from the childminders home returning them the following day. This assists their sense of belonging and helps them to settle. The childminder uses opportunities to broaden children's knowledge of the society around them. Children share each others culture and celebrations such as Islam. They explore Divali making Diva lamps together. They visit local churches and attend groups within church settings. These activities help all children to be

p.5

the early years provision

appreciative of others. The childminder is beginning to develop partnerships with other settings but has yet to broaden these to ensure that she is able to share learning and development progress or to ensure that there is consistency in the approach towards learning for children. The relationship with parents and carers is good enabling them to be involved in their child's day. Extensive verbal sharing supported by questionnaires and individual record books support the shared care. Parents comment that the childminder is 'truly wonderful', 'very flexible' and their child loves spending time with her. They also note that the childminder is very This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 warm and caring providing an inclusive atmosphere. They comment that additional support is provided such as an excellent settling in period with extra sessions arranged to help children finding it difficult to separate.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates great enthusiasm for her work and is very motivated to continue making changes that improve outcomes for children. Since the last inspection she has completed Surestart training in observation and introduced learning journeys She has also attended training in development matters, safeguarding and a 'Buggy Buddies' seminar course. However, while the self-evaluation processes has been initiated, it is not yet sufficiently in-depth to form the basis of internal review to focus the strengths or areas for development. Children achieve and make good progress in their learning overall because resources are offered to them which provide variety and stimulation. Local community resources also provide an extended range of opportunity.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are very content and enjoy their time spent with the childminder. They are making good progress overall because the childminder follows children's interests and supports their needs well. She uses the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements to offer experiences which meet their individual needs. When planning experiences to help them to take the next steps in their learning, she successfully integrates her knowledge of their abilities, interests and activities undertaken at other settings. Useful learning journals have been introduced to ensure that the activities offered are balanced. Children are actively involved in their learning. They play confidently, seeking and choosing from accessible materials. For example, children develop role play extensively with trains directing the childminder and asking relevant questions. For instance, 'why are you in the garage' and 'is it the same track?' They use language easily and confidently.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder skilfully uses the play to help children develop new knowledge such as positioning the trains next to, behind and under the bridges. Toy animals are added and the play extends to sorting and matching by type. Children show that they can reason and solve problems when they decide that there is insufficient room on the tracks for several trains. They show that they are beginning to develop an understanding of safety. For example, they tell the childminder that the trains crashing into things may hurt people and they would need to see a doctor. Children show that they are increasingly making sense of the world around them. They show curiosity about new concepts and science, such as magnets, asking how they fix to the wall. They use them to count and show an interest in words and names. Children show that they are beginning to understand initial sounds and letters telling the childminder that they have found 'M' for mummy and that it also

p.6

and outcomes for children

is a name for their favourite television character.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children have ample opportunities to participate at social groups in the local community. They visit social and activity groups which foster their links with others supporting social development. They are able to develop an awareness of personal safety as they follow safe road crossing procedures when in the community. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children enjoy outdoor play in the well-equipped garden where they climb, run and use a good selection of physical equipment. They take part in planting and observe the growth of strawberries and 'cress heads' which they use to measure and explore quantities. The childminder helps children to recognise the importance of caring for the environment. For instance, they have a poster on the wall which asks 'what can we recycle?' They sort items such as paper and plastics into separate containers and visit the recycling centre to dispose of them. This

p.6

and outcomes for children

experience is made more personal because children talk about the containers in which their foods are provided, such as yoghurt pots, and decide if they can be recycled. They extend this activity by making water catchers for the garden which collects rain water and measures the quantity.

p.7

and outcomes for children

Children gain an excellent understanding of personal health and nutrition. They each have a chart on the wall on which they use to record their fruits and vegetables eaten. Children enjoy using the posters to identify the names of fruits and vegetables, later extending this into role play where they select items to make a salad. Hygiene routines are especially robust which help children to understand personal hygiene and its link to their well-being. Children use fabric pens to decorate their own hand towels for use in the bathroom. They are learning the importance of using their own towels to limit the risk of cross-infection. Children behave exceptionally well. Positive reinforcement to promote acceptable behaviour includes golden house rules and good habits posters. Children show that they have advanced social behaviours when they offer to share their snack with the childminder asking whether she has had enough and showing concern about her

p.7

and outcomes for children

having something to drink. The daily routines and the support provided by the childminder all encourage children's self-esteem and sense of achievement. Children are clearly helped to develop the habits and attitudes that will assist them with developing skills for the future and make good progress overall in their development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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

p.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

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 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.8

Stage

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

p.8

Stage

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

p.8

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9