Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY256845 Inspection date 24/01/2011 Inspector Ann Cozzi

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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 2003. She lives with her partner and two children aged 10 and 12 years in a house in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire. The childminder uses the ground floor of the property for childminding activities. Toilet facilities are also available on the ground floor. There is a fully-enclosed garden for outside play.

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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. She is currently minding four children in the early years age group. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The family have a pet dog and a hamster.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of each child's needs. This ensures that she successfully promotes their welfare and learning. Children are safe and secure in this setting and have plenty of opportunities to learn about their local community and the wider world. Partnerships with parents are valuable in making sure that the needs of all children are met, along with any additional identified needs. Partnerships with other settings are on the whole effective. Children progress well given their age, ability and starting points. The childminder undertakes self-evaluation to identify priorities for improvement and ensure the provision remains responsive to all user needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the current system of assessment to ensure children's next steps across all areas of learning are consistently linked to the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage  develop further continuity and coherence of learning opportunities by sharing relevant information with other settings the children attend.

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the early years provision

Robust safeguarding systems are in place and implemented in practice. The childminder has completed safeguarding training and has copies of all relevant This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 supporting documentation. She knows how to make a referral should she have a child protection concern. There are a wide range of written policies and procedures in place, which help the childminder to carefully manage the safe day-to-day running of the provision. Effective written risk assessments reflect how all child accessible areas of the home are made safe. Records, contracts and consent forms, required by legislation, are in place and are well maintained. This includes records of children's hours of attendance, which ensures that the childminder is able to safely account for all children in her care at any time.

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the early years provision

The childminder is able to provide appropriate care to children in the event of an accident. This is because she has undertaken paediatric first aid and has an up-to- date qualification in place. There are a broad range of good quality resources available to children. The childminder organises the available space and activities in order to effectively support children's developing independent skills.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed valuable partnerships with parents. She has achieved this by ensuring that all relevant information about their child is shared on a regular basis. This helps her to provide continuity of care as children move between their home and hers. There is a minor weakness in partnership with other providers of care and education with regard to consistently sharing children's next steps in learning. The childminder ensures that equality and diversity are promoted by her to help support children's growing awareness of others in the wider world, for example, trips out in the local community and attending local toddler groups. There is no bias in the childminder's practice in relation to gender, race or disability.

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the early years provision

The childminder regularly reflects on her provision, for example, she seeks the views of parents and holds regular discussions with other local childminders. She uses this information effectively to identify her strengths and areas for future development which will lead to the continuous development of her service. For example, since her last inspection the childminder has gained a level 3 National Vocational Qualification in Children's Care, Learning and Development. The childminder strives to ensure her provision is sustainable.

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and outcomes for children

Children are provided with sensitive support as they make good progress towards the six early learning goals. There are systems in place to observe and assess each child's progress, although there is a minor weakness in the consistency of linking information gained to the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate that they are secure and confident in the childminder's care. They have fun taking part in activities and at times initiating their own learning. Children show an interest in learning about the world around them as they ask the childminder questions, for example, when they watch a blackbird pulling a worm out of the ground. They learn new words very rapidly and are able to use them to communicate about matters which interest them, for example, to excitedly alert This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the childminder that a pigeon has landed back in the garden. Children are encouraged to make good progress in communicating, literacy, numeracy and skills relating to information and communication technology. They discover with delight what happens next when they press the button on a battery-operated toy. Children cooperate and share well with the childminder as they play a threading game with

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and outcomes for children

large buttons. They use their senses as they enjoy listening to the sound the buttons make when they are pushed around. Children enjoy creative play, exploring and experimenting with a range of media, such as dough. They begin to use materials for a particular purpose, for example, they push a pretend head on to the dough body they have made. Children are begin to take part in make believe play, showing increasing control as they move a toy car backwards and forwards across the floor.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about keeping themselves and others safe through established routines, for example, how to leave the house safely when undertaking the emergency evacuation procedure. They also learn about and take part in road safety practise while out in the local community or on the school run. Children demonstrate that they feel safe in the care of the childminder as, for example, they seek her out for reassurance when the inspector arrives. Children's understanding of how to behave and care for their environment is supported well by the childminder. They are provided with learning opportunities which develop their awareness about healthy lifestyles. For example, they are encouraged to adopt good personal hygiene practice, such as, putting their hand over their mouth when they cough. Children develop their understanding about the importance of healthy eating through the provision of a balanced range of foods. Children enjoy a

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and outcomes for children

wide range of physical activities, both indoors and when outside, increasing their understanding about the importance of regular exercise. Children are able to relax or be active according to their individual needs. 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 2 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 2 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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