Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY265919 Inspection date 28/02/2011 Inspector Hilary Preece

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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 husband and two children aged thirteen and ten years in Croxley Green, Hertfordshire. They live in a bungalow close to local shops and amenities and there is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and nurseries. The family has a pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six 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 four 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 both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and regularly attends childminding and toddler groups.

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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

A well-developed knowledge of each child's needs ensures that their welfare and learning are promoted successfully. Overall, children make good progress in their learning in relation to their capabilities. Most procedures that support children's safety are implemented well, although not all regulations are fully in place. Close working relationships with parents and carers contribute to ensuring children's needs are met. Strengthening self-evaluation arrangements effectively identify some areas for development, and a commitment to improvement means there is good capacity to further develop the provision.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure records of the risk assessment show when and by whom they have been checked stating the aspect to be checked, the date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 18/03/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 review the safeguarding children policy to ensure it is in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance and procedures  carry out regular evacuation drills and record details in a fire log book of any This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 problems encountered and how and when they were resolved, and ensure the fire blanket is easily accessible  provide activities for children to experiment with writing and include opportunities for writing during role play and other activities.

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the early years provision

Arrangements for safeguarding children are generally effective. The childminder has a sound knowledge of how to recognise when children may be at risk and the importance of recording and reporting any concerns. She has completed an on-line awareness course and has the required publications and Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance to support her procedures. However, her own written statement is too brief and does not clearly reflect all the guidance. Children are protected because all adults living in the household have been vetted. The childminder has regard for keeping the home safe by minimising risks to children's safety in areas where they play and when they are on outings. Records of these risk assessments showing when they are carried out are not maintained which means regulations are not fully met. There is an emergency evacuation procedure that would be followed but this is rarely practised with the children so it is difficult

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the early years provision

to evaluate how effective it would be in keeping children safe. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are fitted and tested regularly but the fire blanket is not easily accessible because it is stored at the back of a kitchen cupboard. Children's health and dietary needs are met well because there are clearly defined procedures and agreements with parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses good quality toys and equipment. The play areas are set up to entice children to explore and make choices. These resources are complimented by regular visits to parks, playgrounds and groups for children where a more extensive range of resources and opportunities are provided. Children are supervised well and receive plenty of attention from the childminder. The needs of all children are taken account of sensitively so that everyone is welcomed and the service fully inclusive. An example of this is how children are made aware of the different cultural practices of others through honest and open discussion.

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the early years provision

The childminder is keen to continue to develop her knowledge and skills. She keeps up to date with current practices by consulting childminding publications, is an active member of her local childminding group and has identified a Level 3 early years qualification course to study. Self-evaluation is generally effective in identifying most priorities for improvement. She consults with parents to ensure her service meets their needs and sometimes uses parental questionnaires to gather their feedback. They are kept well informed on a daily basis because diaries are used to record information about children's daily routines and care. These are particularly useful for parents whose children are cared for by other carers and who do not always see the childminder on collection. Parents report on how much they value the childminder's flexibility in providing a service based around their variable work patterns. All required documentation is maintained with parents and

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the early years provision

regular reviews carried out to ensure arrangements continue to meet individual needs. The childminder acts as link between other early years settings that This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children attend. She takes note of their planning boards, for example, so that she can build on what children are learning elsewhere.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress overall towards the early learning goals, given their starting points, because the childminder has a solid knowledge of how to support their learning across the six areas. She knows each child well and plans the next steps for their learning based on her observations. She provides a comfortable learning environment in the home in which children feel safe and secure. A cosy book corner is very much enjoyed by the children. They choose books for the childminder to read and she provides plenty of opportunities for children to develop thinking, language and understanding during these sessions. They respond appropriately to humour with laughter and giggles. Toys are easily accessed as they are displayed at low level. This means children are confident to explore their surroundings and make choices in their play. They develop good imagination as they play with dolls and small world resources. They enjoy doing

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and outcomes for children

puzzles at their little table and show an interest in working out which pieces are too big, too small or the right size to fit. They recognise some shapes and count during their play. Further problem solving is provided when the childminder sets children challenges to find the right number of cups and plates when laying the table.

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and outcomes for children

Children are keen to take part in adult-led arts and crafts activities because they are still able to make choices, select resources and express their own ideas. They are proud of their achievements and keen to show off the face mask they have made. Other adult-led activities aimed at encouraging children's mark making and early writing are too prescribed and not so appropriate for their stage of development. An example of this is the volume of work sheets that children complete. Instead, there are few opportunities to experiment with a range of mark making tools or to practice writing for a purpose in role play, for example. Children find out about diversity and difference through story books and practical activities at the childminding group. An example of this is an activity that lets children explore the customs followed at Jewish Passover. They are introduced to the concept of recycling which helps them play a part in protecting the environment.

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and outcomes for children

On occasions they help to sort paper, card and plastic into the childminder's recycling boxes.

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and outcomes for children

Children's good health is encouraged through daily routines that are understood by the children. They willingly comply with hand washing routines and the childminder reinforces to them why this is important. Nappy changing routines are carried out safely and hygienically. Babies are relaxed and comfortable as the childminder sings softly to them whilst being changed. Children become aware of the concept of eating five portions of fruit or vegetables a day for their health as they are encouraged to think about what they eat and mark off the portions on a chart. They enjoy regular fresh air on walks around the local area and use apparatus such as bikes and climbing frames when visiting toddler groups. Children develop This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 close relationships with the childminder and look to her for reassurance. They behave well and cooperate by sharing and helping to tidy up. They begin to take

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and outcomes for children

some responsibility for their safety on outings as they are taught road safety and stranger awareness. They are not so aware of fire safety as they are rarely involved in the evacuation procedure. 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 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 3 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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