Reid, Caroline

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY398928 Inspection date 07/12/2010 Inspector Jane Mount

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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 September 2009. She lives with her two youngest children who are aged 13 years and 14 years. The property is situated in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire and is close to all local amenities including shops, parks and schools. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes with sleep and toilet facilities situated on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder works with an assistant and the registration is for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time with no more than three children in the early years age group. The childminder is currently caring for nine children in the early years age range. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. Children attend on a part-time basis including before and after school and during the school holidays. Overnight care is not included in the registration and the family has a dog, two cats, two rabbits, two guinea pigs and a tank of fish as pets. 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

Effective partnerships with parents ensure all children are fully included and their individual needs are met. The childminder has good systems in place to ensure children are safeguarded and their welfare is protected. She provides a varied selection of play and learning experiences to enable children to make good progress in their learning. Systems for effectively observing and assessing children and planning the next steps in their learning are not yet fully developed. Some processes for monitoring the quality of the setting are in place and a system, such as self-evaluation, to more effectively evaluate the quality of the service provided is in the process of being introduced.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further observation and assessment systems and use these more effectively to plan the next steps in a child's developmental progress  implement a quality improvement system such as self-evaluation to more effectively monitor and extend effective practice to ensure continued improvement. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded and the childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of how to protect children from harm. She has an informative safeguarding policy in place and has attended safeguarding training. She ensures all household members have had relevant background checks completed. The childminder has a clear understanding of issues relating to safety. Close supervision by the childminder and on-going visual assessments ensures the environment remains safe. Written risk assessments identify potential hazards and detail how they are minimised to keep children safe.

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the early years provision

The childminder has worked hard to develop a secure knowledge and understanding of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. Documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the setting is in place and informative. The childminder is keen to develop her practice and understands the importance of continuous professional development. She has attended several early years short courses and workshops and plans to complete a childcare qualification in the near future. The childminder has some systems in place to evaluate the quality of the provision and she is aware of the areas she wishes to develop further. A system of self-evaluation to more closely monitor the setting to ensure continuous improvement is about to be implemented.

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the early years provision

The childminder effectively organises her time and that of her assistant to ensure children's needs are fully met. Daily routines are planned around the needs of individual children to ensure an inclusive and enabling environment. Children and their families are valued and appreciated and the childminder welcomes the children and families into her home. Effective settling-in procedure ensures children settle well and feel secure in the childminding environment. A portfolio with the setting's policies and procedures is made available to parents. Daily communications, including highly informative diaries, ensures parents are kept fully informed about their children's care, learning and development. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude and awareness to liaising with other early years settings. She has developed effective partnerships with other settings to ensure children are fully supported and the integration of care and education is promoted.

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and outcomes for children

Children have an enjoyable time in the childminder's care. She has worked hard to develop systems to ensure children make good progress in their learning. Observation and assessment systems are in place and are generally informative although do not yet clearly identify how the next steps in a child's learning are planned for. Children are motivated in their play and enjoy their learning. They participate in a mixture of adult-led and child-initiated play with the indoor and outdoor environments used to their full potential. Children participate in a varied range of activities and play experiences which cover the six areas of learning. They are learning through their play and activities that engage all their senses and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 regularly participate in music, rhymes and songs which help to promote their language and physical development. Children enjoy looking at books and regular

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and outcomes for children

story time supports their language and communication skills. The childminder effectively uses the daily routine to incorporate children's counting skills, such as, counting the cutlery when laying the table. Through discussion and activities which look at their own and others cultures, countries and religions children learn about the wider world. They learn about the local community and participate in nature walks, visit the park and going to the local shop to buy milk. They are beginning to understand about the people who work in the community, such as the postman and dustman, through discussion and planned activities. Children become familiar with the written word and when out walking enjoy finding the letters from their names on road signs or number plates. Creative skills are encouraged children opportunities to experience a variety of art and craft activities. They develop a strong sense of achievement and belonging as their art work is highly valued and

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and outcomes for children

Effective strategies are implemented by the childminder to promote children's good health. Robust hygiene practices are followed to minimise the risk of cross infection, such as effective nappy changing procedures. Children learn about simple hygiene practices, such as, how to use a tissue to wipe their nose and then to dispose of the tissue appropriately. They discuss the reasons for washing hands before eating or after visiting the bathroom. Children participate in a varied range of activities which positively contributes to their good health and physical fitness. They go for regular walks, play in the garden and visit a children's park. Children are learning that exercise can be fun and particularly enjoy jumping off the sofa onto large floor cushions.

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and outcomes for children

Children are provided with a balanced, healthy diet and their dietary requirements are discussed with parents to ensure individual dietary needs are catered for. They are learning about the benefits of healthy eating and talk about fruit and vegetables being good for their bodies. They help to care for the vegetables growing in the garden and have enjoyed harvesting potatoes and runner beans to cook and eat. Children are developing a good understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe. They learn about road safety when out walking and how to manage the stairs safely when visiting the bathroom. The childminder has an emergency evacuation procedure in place which is regularly practised with children and therefore children are learning how to stay safe in an emergency. The childminder is a positive role model and has secure relationships with parents and children to enable children to feel secure and confident in their play. Children's

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and outcomes for children

behaviour is managed well and they learn simple house rules such as sharing and taking turns. Children are effectively supported in their play with regular praise and encouragement from the childminder which develops their self-esteem and enables them to feel valued in the childminding environment. 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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