Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY285164 Inspection date 14/03/2011 Inspector Jo Rowley

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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 one child aged eight in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding, except for an upstairs office, and children have access to a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have petr fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has a Level 4 certificate in Early Years practice and has achieved the Herts Quality Standards award.

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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 three children in this age group. 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.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She uses this and her thorough knowledge of each child to ensure that their individual needs are consistently met. Children are offered an extensive range of interesting activities and opportunities, which supports the successful promotion of their learning and development. The childminder's highly professional and friendly approach to working with parents enables them to feel confident in exchanging information about their children, further supporting their consistent care. The childminder specifically reviews her work and has an outstanding attitude to self-evaluation, actively seeking feedback from parents and children. This enables her to build an honest picture of her practice and implement any improvements; therefore, she maintains a service which is highly responsive to the needs of the children and their families.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 further develop the system used to verify the identity of any visitors, record their names, the purpose of the visit, and details of arrival and departure times. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder's comprehensive understanding of her role and responsibilities, relating to safeguarding children, ensures that children's welfare is prioritised and promoted at all times. This is further supported by a well written procedure which is shared with parents and enables the childminder to identify any child who may be at risk and take the appropriate action. Children's well-being is significantly enhanced by the childminder's excellent organisation, thorough written procedures and effective risk assessments ensure that hazards are minimised and children's safety is well promoted at all levels. Children are building up a very good awareness of how to keep themselves and others safe as they take part in the emergency evacuation procedure. The procedure is practised on a regular basis and children are able to explain where they evacuate to in the event of a fire starting. Although the visitor's record requires further development, to include

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the early years provision

details of arrival and departure times. The childminder shows a genuine enjoyment of her work and is highly committed to continue in developing her practice and successfully improving outcomes for children, through self-evaluation. She has a clear vision for the future and written action plans enable her to be effective in meeting her goals. The childminder attends a wide range of additional training in order to inform her practice and ensure that her setting is the best she can provide. For example, she has recently achieved the Hertfordshire Quality Standards award for providing a high quality service and environment. She actively seeks feedback from parents through parent questionnaires and daily diaries and talks to children on a daily basis about their likes and dislikes. This enables her to make positive changes, if necessary.

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the early years provision

The childminder utilises resources exceptionally well. Her home is warm and welcoming and toys are highly accessible, enabling all children to make independent choices, whilst promoting inclusion. The childminder also uses a wide range of community resources such as the local toy library in order to offer children an extended range of opportunities. The childminder strongly believes in treating each child uniquely as an individual and she has an excellent understanding of promoting a service which is both welcoming and inclusive for all children and their families. Her sensitive procedures for gathering information on each child, ensures that she can build a greater understanding of each child's individual background, needs and beliefs. This knowledge enables her to plan relevant activities and ensure that children are offered appropriate support. Children feel valued and their self-esteem is promoted because they are fully

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the early years provision

encouraged to understand and respect each other and are highly praised for their efforts and achievements. The childminder's excellent relationship with parents, and carers, ensures that there is a consistent and ongoing communication. She keeps them informed of their children's progress with regular access to their child's learning journey folder and all activities and planning information is displayed on an informative notice board, giving parents independent access to a wide range of information. Consistency of care is promoted as the childminder has established some working relationships with others, providing care for the children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. For example, topics and themes are shared with staff at the local pre-school enabling the childminder to extend the children's learning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 within her setting, as well as enhancing partnership working to further promote

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and outcomes for children

Children spend their time purposefully. They thrive in their environment and make excellent progress in their learning and development because the childminder has a comprehensive knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She implements rigorous observation and assessment procedures and uses the information gained from these to inform the overall and individual planning, which is highly effective. Children play an active part in all aspects of this lively setting, as for example, they are encouraged to express themselves with their opinions being genuinely valued. The childminder has an excellent awareness of their interests and needs, including this information in the planning to ensure that children's individual development is strongly promoted. Children play a full role in their own learning and they develop positive attitudes to this as the childminder confidently enables them to develop their play and ideas. For example, children make up their own game each playing a

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and outcomes for children

different person such as a doctor and a child. They encourage the childminder to join in with their game as she plays the part of the mummy who takes her baby to the doctors. The children relish the childminder's interaction and their communication and language is extended and encouraged by the childminder as she asks questions to further their thinking. For example, she asks children why they think the baby's heart beats. This leads on to further discussion which links into the 'growing' theme.

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and outcomes for children

Children show a strong sense of security and their behaviour demonstrates that they feel safe as they confidently choose resources, express their individual views and approach the childminder for help. Their self-esteem and confidence are highly promoted as the childminder praises and encourages them consistently. An example of this is where children are able to organise some number cards in the correct order from zero to ten. The childminder tells the children how clever they are. Further opportunities where children's self-esteem and confidence are promoted include as the childminder praises children for singing independently, helping each other out, doing up their own shoes or sharing resources kindly. The childminder's settling-in procedures help them to feel welcome and valued and the childminder's excellent partnership with parents means that children who use English as an additional language or have special educational needs are offered

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and outcomes for children

appropriate support and activities that promote their individual development. Children are offered a rich and varied range of experiences that meet their needs and promote their development, with the childminder using interesting activities to develop their knowledge. For example, as children are learning about how things grow they take part in planting different seeds. Sunflowers and beans are planted so that children can take part in measuring these and seeing how water and sunlight are used to help them grow. Their mathematical development is further promoted as the childminder utilises all learning opportunities. For example, discussion about how tall the sunflowers might grow is encouraged whilst children count the seeds they are putting in their pots. Further opportunities for their counting skills to develop are observed as they join in with a wide range of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

counting rhymes and songs. This is then extended as the children choose to add their own music to the songs playing on the disc player. Children first work together in carrying the musical instruments and then they decide which of the instruments they want to use.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's excellent interaction with children aids the development of their communication skills and they use language confidently and imaginatively. For example, children listen to the owl babies story that the childminder is reading them. They have soft owls that they use during the story as they join in and play the different characters. The children are fully engrossed in the story as they listen to the childminder as she skilfully changes her voice to suit the different parts of the story. Children's skills in mark making are also developed as they have independent access to writing materials and use these frequently. Children's emotional development is strongly promoted as they develop secure, trusting relationships with the childminder and with each other. Their behaviour is exemplary and they show an excellent awareness for each other. Children engage in a wide range of activities and experiences which helps them to truly value

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and outcomes for children

diversity and understand the cultures and beliefs of others. They celebrate a range of festivals and good use is made of resources, such as books and posters which are displayed to provide positive images of the world around us. Children are encouraged to ask questions and are offered appropriate explanations. The childminder's thoughtful planning means that children participate in activities that enable them to develop skills for their future. Children show an excellent understanding of the relevance of following good personal hygiene routines and this is further promoted by the use of individual hand towels. Children have numerous opportunities to participate in a very wide range of physical activities and gain a secure understanding of the importance of regular exercise. For example, they have excellent opportunities for outside play, visiting toddler groups or using static equipment at the park.

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and outcomes for children

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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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