Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY334978 Inspection date 11/01/2011 Inspector Maura Pigram

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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 2006. She lives with her son aged 11 years in London Colney, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and a separate bedroom for sleep and rest. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has a pet dog, rabbits and guinea pigs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five 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 two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is very professional and uses her expertise to ensure she has an extremely good knowledge of each child's needs so that welfare and learning can be effectively promoted. Children are fully included, happy, safe and secure. Documentation to support their safety is mostly in place. A strong partnership with parents is a key strength of the provision. The childminder is committed to developing practice and has an accurate understanding of areas to develop so that outcomes for children are continually improved.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 updating the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings including dog walks and walking to and from school.

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the early years provision

The childminder's excellent organisation of space, time and resources, knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and attention to record keeping facilitates outstanding outcomes for all children. The childminder is passionate about her work with children. For example, she dedicates her time to every aspect of their welfare needs and learning. Her 'day off' is dedicated to updating her knowledge and her mainly meticulous documentation. She regularly This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 reads a variety of childcare publications to stimulate her thinking and understanding of early years childcare related issues. Previous experience in a childcare setting is very well used to ensure children gain a strong sense of security and every aspect of their day is used to help their development. She makes sure that the day is planned to fit around the changeable sleep times of

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the early years provision

babies and toddlers. Having completed recent safeguarding training, the childminder has a very good understanding of her role in safeguarding children. All documentation to support her in this is extremely well organised. High quality risk assessments for the home and the majority of outings are well maintained and effective steps are taken to eliminate potential risks to children. An oversight has meant that not all risk assessments are maintained such as those for walking to and from school.

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the early years provision

The childminder places the promotion of equality of opportunity at the heart of her services. She takes positive steps to ensure she has an exceptional knowledge of each child's background and needs. For example, a useful and informative 'all about me' document provides the childminder with a wealth of knowledge prior to each child starting. This includes family's cultures, children's preferences and family members who are important to the child. This knowledge is purposefully used not only for settling-in purposes but for children to learn about each other's backgrounds and beliefs. In addition, purposeful activities developing from this information successfully promotes children's self-esteem. Interesting photographs of children alongside their art work displayed in the hallway encourage a sense of self and others. Her home is child friendly and the environment and resources are purposefully organised and furnished to support inclusion and to encourage strong

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the early years provision

levels of independence in children. This further develops their skills for the future. For example, imaginatively using the hairdresser's scissors provides some excellent opportunities for mastering scissor skills. In addition, she ensures activities and the wide range of resources reflects the world around them so that they actively learn about the society in which they live.

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the early years provision

All records are extremely well maintained and confidential. The childminder has friendly but professional relationships with the parents. They benefit greatly from the wealth of information provided to them. This not only includes children's welcoming documentation, superbly documented learning journeys and her operational policies and procedures, but detailed and helpful information to explain the Early Years Foundation Stage too. Views of parents are highly valued and they are all exceptionally pleased with the service provided. She asks for suggestions to improve and is in the process of developing ideas on how to further involve parents in their children's learning. Children have some input and the childminder is reviewing ideas on how this can be further developed. She also reflects on her practice, enabling her to target areas for improvement that have a positive impact on the quality of the provision and the outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has an excellent knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements. She carries out detailed observations on children and assesses their achievements so that their individual needs are well known. Using this information allows her to plan for individuals so they make excellent progress in all areas of learning. Children enjoy a wonderful range of activities that cover all aspects of learning both indoors and out. They love experimenting with paint and enthusiastically taking part in the many purposeful art and craft activities that the childminder organises for them.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder especially encourages positive relationships and this is evident as they happily play together sharing and taking turns. They love playing imaginatively, 'cutting' the childminder's hair and 'making' cups of tea for each other. High quality interaction from the childminder means that children's early language development is extremely well supported and they develop high levels of self-esteem. For example, children engage in conversation about how the haircut will look and the childminder skilfully incorporates various language into the conversation such as 'not too much' and 'just a little piece' so that children begin to learn early mathematical concepts. Younger children's emerging language skills are extremely well supported. For example, they copy the childminder's continual discussions as she purposefully joins in with their play. This extends their thought process. Nursery rhymes and songs softly playing in the background further

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and outcomes for children

support children's language and understanding as they eagerly join in their favourite songs such as 'Row, row your boat' and 'Twinkle, twinkle little star'. In addition, the CDs are effectively used to help children settle to sleep or to have a quiet time following robust activities. Number songs and rhymes along with the many art and craft activities and purposeful baking activities, such as making Valentine biscuits, help children develop a strong understanding of number and early calculation.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is passionate about art and craft activities and understands the many learning opportunities this can provide. For example, junk modelling is actively used to support children's interest in trains. In addition, babies and younger children have ample opportunities to engage in sensory play. For example, they love exploring gloop, corn flour and paint. In addition, the childminder takes younger children to a nearby sensory play session so that they can have further opportunities for discovery and exploration within a group session. Here they love exploring bark, leaves, sand and everyday household items such as pots and pans. Children love to listen to stories as the childminder reads their favourite books. They cuddle up to the childminder and enjoy the close bond with her and their friends. The books are attractively and easily available so that even the youngest child can be absorbed in one of the many interesting and

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and outcomes for children

interactive books. Regular visits to the library further supports children's engagement in reading for a purpose.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about the society in which they live in through everyday play, outings and purposeful activities such as the making of Eid celebration cards. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 These are thoughtfully created to ensure all children learn about this festival and family's backgrounds are valued. In addition, play items such as an interactive globe and the positive interaction from the childminder ensure children delight in learning about the world around them. The childminder is very calm and has a professional and warm personality which is reflected in children's behaviour. For example, children are very polite to each other and to adults. Parents comment positively on the children's exemplary behaviour and are delighted with the impact the childminder has had on their children's overall development. Children show an excellent awareness of responsibility as they routinely and happily clear away toys

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and outcomes for children

following their play. All children are very secure and settled as the childminder is very attentive to their individual needs. Younger children love to snuggle and wrap themselves in the childminder's arms for extra cuddles. Toddlers are able to independently explore the many age-appropriate resources and are developing very good levels of early skills to become active and inquisitive learners. Older children's high levels of self-esteem are extremely well supported through the thoughtful activity of taking children to organised events such as football club. This means that their interests and ongoing development skills are fully and actively supported. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 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 1

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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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