Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY270729 Inspection date 10/03/2011 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 11 and 15 years old in Welwyn Garden City. The whole of the house, except for one bedroom, is used for childminding. The bathroom is on the first floor and there is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder drives and is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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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. There are currently three 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 qualified nursery nurse and has previously worked as a children's nanny.

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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

Most procedures that protect and safeguard children are robust and implemented well, although, a regulation concerning risk assessments is not fully met. A well- developed knowledge of each child and effective partnership working with parents contribute to ensuring all children's needs are met. Children's learning and development is promoted well and, as a result, children make very good progress given their starting points. Considerable improvement has been made since the last inspection and self-evaluation systems are developing well.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the risk assessment identifies aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 31/03/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the observations of children to identify more clearly children's next steps in learning and development  develop further the self-evaluation system to monitor practice against robust and challenging criteria. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a secure knowledge of Local Safeguarding Children board procedures and her responsibilities. She has attended training in this area, has all the required documents readily available and would not hesitate to implement her procedure if she had any safeguarding concerns. There are clear arrangements for children to be cared for by another registered childminder in the event of an emergency so they would remain protected. Children are kept safe on the premises and when on outings because risk assessments are carried out. However, records of risk assessments of the premises only show when they are carried out and do not state what aspects are checked or what action is taken to reduce risks. This is a welfare requirement. Despite this, the childminder describes clearly how children are kept safe within the home and on outings by the checks she makes. She provides a well-resourced environment

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the early years provision

and makes good use of local community resources to extend the range of toys and experiences for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed her practice well since the last inspection. She has accessed some training to update her knowledge of current early years practice, seeks advice from other providers of early years care and has addressed all the recommendations previously made. She has particularly focused on developing her awareness of diversity and inclusion. Children now have many more opportunities to use books and multicultural resources that help them understand diversity and difference. Good communication with parents allows her to seek their views on the service provided and take any action as required. She is beginning to develop self- evaluation records to build on this, but monitoring systems are not particularly based on the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

The childminder works effectively with parents. There are well-established procedures for gathering and sharing information so that children settle in easily and their needs are met. Well-organised records are maintained and parents are given access to all the childminder's policies. Additional information, such as, how to make a complaint, is displayed on the notice board. Parents report that their children are very settled and really enjoy their time with the childminder. One parent describes her as 'calm and well-organised' and another reports that 'dropping off times are smooth and stress free.' The childminder recognises the importance of sharing information with any other settings offering the Early Years Foundation Stage that children may attend and of working in partnership with external agencies to support children who may have additional needs. She would develop these links as required. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely settled and confident. They show positive attitudes to their play and learning and use the toys enthusiastically. They communicate very effectively for their age and with some confidence and maturity. This is encouraged by the childminder's constant interaction with them. She reads to them alot and they take great interest in the story, often asking for their favourite story to be read again and again. They join in with familiar text and describe what they see in the pictures as they cuddle up closely to each other. Relationships are warm and relaxed. Children get along equally well with the childminder and their peers. They show a mature understanding of the needs of others. An example of this is when a young child sees a picture of a baby crying and says 'he's crying, he needs his mummy.' They learn to behave well because expectations are clearly and consistently reinforced. They respectfully follow requests to wash their hands

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and outcomes for children

before eating, to be strapped into their booster seats at the table when eating and to leave their drinking beakers in the kitchen where they will not get spilled.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a broad and balanced range of activities and outings for children that allow them plenty of time for free play and to join in with some adult- led activities. Regular visits to toddler groups help children develop confidence and good social skills, such as, sharing with others. They use the local book and toy library regularly where children choose their preferred toys or books and the childminder has an arrangement with another childminder to share resources. Consequently, there is plenty of variety to help children remain motivated. Weekly outings to the children's farm and indoor soft play area allow children to find out about the natural world and develop their physical skills. Children talk enthusiastically about riding on the tractor. Good health and hygiene practices are followed on such outings as the childminder insists they wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching the animals. Children show growing

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and outcomes for children

independence in managing their own personal care needs. Very young children help themselves to tissues, blow their noses and safely dispose of the tissue in the bin afterwards. Older children use the toilet independently. They also show considerable understanding of how to behave when practising the fire drill, given their age.

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and outcomes for children

Children show curiosity as learners. They use the alphabet and number posters on the wall to count and talk about objects, shapes and colours. They are keen to take part in creative activities, such as, making a spring picture. They experiment with glue and tissue paper and talk about the pink blossom on the trees. All children are valued and included. Activities are planned to help those from different cultural backgrounds to share aspects of their culture with others. An example of this is encouraging children to make scrap books about their homelands and making a collection of artefacts that represent their culture. Difference and diversity is, therefore, explored in practical and meaningful ways.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder clearly knows the children well and can identify their achievements. She keeps observation records for each child which she is beginning to use more effectively to monitor their progress towards the early learning goals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 However, these do not identify children's next steps in learning which means they may not always be challenged. Nonetheless, her plans are very focused on children's needs and interests so overall children are highly motivated to learn and make quite rapid progress. 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 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 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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