Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY231687 Inspection date 08/02/2011 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 registered in March 2003. She lives with her husband and two children, aged six and nine years. The property is situated in Bushey Heath, Hertfordshire and is close to shops, parks and schools. All areas of the premises are included in the registration, although the ground floor is mainly used for childminding purposes. Sleep facilities are situated on the first floor and a fully enclosed rear garden is 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 registration is for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, with no more than three children in the early years age range. The childminder is currently caring for five children, all of whom are in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

Overnight care is not included in the registration and the family have three cats as pets. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and a member of a childminding group.

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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 understands that every child is unique and she works in close partnership with parents to ensure children's individual needs are met. An inclusive and welcoming environment is provided in which children feel at home and share secure relationships with the childminder. Their welfare is safeguarded and children are making good progress in their learning as activities and play experiences are tailored to their individual developmental needs. Some processes for monitoring the quality of the provision are in place and a system of self- evaluation, to ensure continued improvement, is in the early stages of development.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further a quality improvement system, such as self-evaluation, to monitor and extend effective practice to ensure continued improvement.

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the early years provision

Safeguarding procedures are secure and children's welfare is fully protected. An informative safeguarding policy is in place and the childminder is fully aware of the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about the children in her care. Child protection guidance leaflets and publications are readily available and all This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 adults in the household are suitably checked. The childminder has a clear understanding of issues relating to safety and positive steps are taken to keep children safe. Children are closely supervised at all times and written risk assessments along with ongoing visual assessments ensure the environment remains safe at all times.

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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 and this is reflected in her practice. Documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the setting and to meet the needs of children is in place and informative. The childminder understands the importance of professional development and has recently enhanced her childcare knowledge through completing a National Vocational Qualification Level 3 Early Years Qualification. She strives to provide a quality service and is overall aware of her key strengths and the areas she wishes to develop further. She undertakes some monitoring to ensure the quality of the provision is good, such as, regularly reviewing and updating children's records and seeking feedback from parents. A system of self- evaluation to more closely monitor and evaluate the childminder's practice, to

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the early years provision

ensure continued improvement, is in the early stages of development.

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the early years provision

The childminder successfully organises her time and resources to ensure children's learning is positively supported and their individual needs are met. Resources are accessible and developmentally appropriate with the daily routine planned to ensure all children are fully included. The childminder welcomes the children in her care and their families into her home and works hard to provide an inclusive environment. Purposeful relationships between the childminder and parents ensure children's care and learning needs are fully supported. Parents are kept fully informed of their children's care, progress and achievements as information is effectively exchanged on a daily basis. The childminder works in partnership with others. She has developed links with a children's centre and regularly attends a childminding group, sharing ideas and knowledge with other childminders. She shows a positive attitude and awareness of liaising with other early years settings

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the early years provision

delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage and is developing effective links with the nursery children in her care attend to promote continuity in their care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder has implemented observation and assessment systems which show children's progress and achievements over time. She then uses this information to plan the next steps in children's learning with activities adapted to cater for individual children. Children experience a varied range of play experiences which effectively cover the six areas of learning. They enjoy their learning and participate in a mixture of adult-led and child-initiated play with the indoor and outdoor environments used to encourage and develop their play and learning. Regular visits to toddler groups further promotes children's learning experiences as these enhance their opportunities to develop social skills and to become more creative This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and independent thinkers. The home environment is organised with many

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and outcomes for children

resources at child height to encourage children to make independent choices in their play. Children's language and communication skills are promoted as the childminder supports children in their play, engaging them in conversation. Regular story times also support children's early communication skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children have many opportunities to experience a variety of art and craft activities including play dough, painting, drawing, cutting and sticking. They develop a strong sense of achievement when their art work is displayed in the childminder's home. Children's understanding of shape, colours and numbers is encouraged and the childminder asks questions to help children think and problem solve as they play. Children enjoy sorting bricks or toy cars into different colours or counting the steps when going up and down them when out walking. Very young children confidently explore their environment and learn to coordinate their eye and hand movements when they try to turn the wheels on a toy car between their thumb and forefinger. Children are gaining some understanding about the wider world. They have opportunities to learn about their own and other cultures and religions and through access to a range of resources and activities children's awareness of

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and outcomes for children

diversity is encouraged. They have regular opportunities to learn about the local community and the environment. They go for regular walks, talk about the weather and changing seasons and learn about recycling.

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and outcomes for children

Effective strategies are implemented by the childminder to promote children's health and well-being. Good hygiene practices ensure the risk of cross infection is minimised and children's health is protected. Through discussion and effective support and guidance from the childminder, children learn the importance of personal care routines to keep them healthy. They know they must wash their hands before eating and they discuss the reasons for doing so. Children participate in a varied range of activities which positively contribute to their good health. They spend time in the fresh air on a daily basis and enjoy playing in the childminder's garden, going for walks or visiting the nearby children's park. Children are learning that exercise can be fun and keenly participate in music and movement sessions. Children are provided with nutritious food choices. Their dietary requirements are discussed with parents to ensure individual dietary needs are suitably catered for.

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and outcomes for children

Children eat a variety of healthy foods and learn about the benefits of a healthy diet. They are developing a good understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe. When out walking they discuss road safety and know they must hold the childminder's hand or the buggy. They enjoy taking it in turns to press the button at the crossing and know that green means go and red means stop. Children feel emotionally secure in the childminding environment and have developed trusting relationships with the childminder which helps them to feel safe. Positive behaviour is promoted and the childminder is on hand to offer regular praise and encouragement which promotes children's self-esteem. 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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