Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY284947 Inspection date 28/02/2011 Inspector Susan Ennis

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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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and 11 years in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding, apart from the main bedroom, and there is a first floor bedroom for children requiring undisturbed sleep. Children have access to a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have two goldfish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care on each weekday during term-time and school holidays. She is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of three children in the early years age range and is currently minding four children in this age group on a part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years and this provision is registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Children on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register share the same facilities as those on the Early Years Register.

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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 offers a safe, secure and welcoming environment in which all children thrive and where their development is consistently promoted. Her flexible planning ensures that children's interests are followed and that they enjoy their time with her. The childminder builds trusting relationships with parents, often caring for children from a very young age. Through self-evaluating her practice, the childminder has a clear picture of her strengths and areas for improvement. She is, therefore, able to make effective changes to improve the daily care and experiences for the children she looks after. She demonstrates a high commitment to her childminding and is enthusiastic about making and sustaining improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the use of information gathered about children's learning to enhance their good progress towards the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

Effective safeguarding policies and procedures ensure that children are well protected. For example, the childminder has a good knowledge of child protection, having attended additional training to update her knowledge, and has the required contact numbers in place for dealing with concerns should they arise. She ensures that anyone coming into contact with the children is suitable to do so and has arranged emergency cover with another childminder should she ever not be able to care for the children herself. The childminder uses clear and practical This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 procedures, such as, daily safety checks and regular risk assessments, for monitoring the environment, including the house, garden and car. This ensures that children can move around freely and with confidence. She also regularly practises the fire drill with the children, increasing their knowledge of the action to

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the early years provision

take in an emergency. The childminder has well thought out procedures for taking the children out and about. Identification cards containing the children's and childminder's contact numbers are carried and the children wear wristbands containing the childminder's details should they become parted from her. The childminder also visits any new locations and activities to risk assess them before visiting with the children, further protecting their safety.

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the early years provision

Children's individual development is well promoted as the childminder has effective procedures in place to support, monitor and evaluate their progress. The wide range of available resources are well used and the inclusive, child-friendly environment is conducive to children's learning. Low-level storage enables the children to freely select which toys they want to play with and a laminated book detailing other choices available is used when they need further suggestions. The childminder also makes good use of the local amenities. She regularly takes the children to toddler and childminder groups, broadening their experiences and social skills with their peers.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of anti-discriminatory practice, enabling her to provide a service which is inclusive for all children and families. She works closely with parents to ensure that she understands each child's background, needs and beliefs. For example, she would try to learn some basic words in children's home language to make them feel settled and secure. The childminder effectively helps children learn and understand about the society in which they live and the wider world. Celebrations of festivals, such as Chinese New Year, are experienced and built into the planning. For example, children very much enjoy tasting Chinese noodles, liking them so much that they eat three bowls! They also play with resources including dressing-up clothes, books and play figures, all extending their knowledge and understanding.

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the early years provision

A close and trusting partnership with parents, carers and others involved in the children's lives ensures that all relevant information is shared and a consistent approach given. Organised documentation ensures that parents are fully informed of the childminder's policies and procedures which detail her working ethos and good practice. Daily interaction, use of a daily diary and the sharing of the children's development files all help to keep the parents effectively informed about their children's day and developmental progress. The childminder actively works with other settings and agencies to provide the children with an effective continuity of care. She shares information with the other early years settings attended by the children and complements activities when the children come to her house. For example, children enjoy using the laptop at nursery but do not have very long on it. At the childminder's house they can have a longer go while also developing their

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a genuine enjoyment for her work and regularly attends further training to improve her knowledge and the outcomes for the children. She also meets with other childminders to share ideas and good practice This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and regularly seeks parents' views about her practice. They demonstrate their satisfaction with her through recorded comments, such as, 'you provide a warm, friendly environment'. The childminder evaluates her daily practice and makes continuous plans for the future. She is positive about the inspection process and effectively completed the self-evaluation form before inspection. She now plans to update this regularly to further monitor and improve her practice.

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and outcomes for children

Children are consistently offered a wide range of opportunities that support them in making good progress across the areas of learning and development. The childminder flexibly plans activities around the children's interests and free play choices. For example, when children decide that they would like to do some sticking, the childminder uses the opportunity to develop their number recognition and problem-solving skills by providing paper numbers for them to paste on to paper. The children identify three and eight by name and then confidently state 'I know how to draw number three, don't I?' When children identify the numbers one and zero they stick them in the wrong order for number ten. The childminder sensitively corrects them and they repeat the exercise, writing it correctly and proudly showing the childminder. The childminder records children's initial starting points and development by using observations and assessments, photographs and

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and outcomes for children

the Early Years Foundation Stage development sheets to demonstrate their progress. However, although some next steps are identified, this is not consistent and it is difficult to see how these are fed into planning or when they are achieved by the children. Therefore, children's progress is not optimally promoted.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses her good knowledge of child development to plan activities to progress children's learning. For example, when children show a particular interest in cars, the childminder introduces a new element into their play by providing the toy garage for them to extend their creative and problem-solving skills. Children develop their understanding of the natural world as they discuss the food given to the African Snails on loan from nursery and notice that their antenna move in and out as they spray them with water as instructed. Children also develop their creative skills as play with pretend snow, describing it as feeling 'cold and wet'. Children's emotional development is well promoted as they develop secure and trusting relationships with the childminder and their friends. They demonstrate this as they talk easily to the childminder about the activities they did during the recent school holiday. The childminder acts as a positive role model and

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and outcomes for children

assists the children in learning and making the right decisions. She knows the children very well and consistent house rules help them understand what is acceptable. Group activities, such as, discussing a book about feelings and emotions, help them understand the needs of others and to be considerate of each other.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and hygiene is extremely well promoted as the childminder takes very active steps to minimise the spread of infection and develop children's understanding of a healthy lifestyle. Robust systems for dealing with sickness ensure that children receive the appropriate treatment and care required. For This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 example, the childminder records each child's core temperature when they start with her so that she can be sure to know if they are starting to feel unwell. Children are actively learning about their own hygiene. When discussing new flannels that had been bought, they confidently state 'I can use this to wash my hands and face when they get sticky, can't I? And when I wash my hands after going to the toilet'. They learn about healthy eating and where food comes from as they grow strawberries in the garden and enjoy visits to the childminder group

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and outcomes for children

allotment. They also participate in cooking activities, making cupcakes and biscuits. Children are becoming aware of their own safety as they discuss road safety and are introduced to the inspector so that they know she is a safe person to talk to. 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 1 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 implement a written statement of procedures, that contains the procedure to be followed in event the of an allegation being made against yourself or a member of the family, to be followed for the protection of children (Arrangements for Safeguarding Children) (Also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 14/03/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the Childcare Register part of the report (Arrangements for Safeguarding Children) 14/03/2011

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