Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 129778 Inspection date 11/03/2011 Inspector Tina Kelly

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2000. She lives in Abbots Langley, near Watford in Hertfordshire, with her husband and three children aged 10,11 and 15 years. The whole house is used for childminding. Children do not generally access upstairs other than to use the family bathroom. The children have access to the secure garden for outside play. The family have a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. She may provide care for a maximum of six children at any one time, three may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for three children in the early years age group, part-time throughout the week. She also cares for children attending full-time school.

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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

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. She is beginning to observe the children as they play and uses the information to plan for activities and their future learning.Parents are kept well informed of their children's routines and the activities they have enjoyed. The documents for the well-being of the children and the smooth running of the setting are in place. The childminder has started to review her practice and is committed to improving outcomes for children of all ages.

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further?

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

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further?

 establish starting points and use observations more consistently to plan for children's individual next steps in their learning  develop the process for self-evaluation to monitor practice and promote outcomes for all children.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of her responsibilities with regards to safeguarding all children. She keeps up to date having attended training throughout her registration. Information from the Local Safeguarding Children Board is on display to inform parents of her commitment to providing a safe environment. Relevant checks have been carried out on all adults in the household. Visitors and workmen are recorded to continually monitor those in the household. Information about the children in her care is carried when she is out in the community. This ensures they are easily identified in the event of an incident. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. Risk assessments are in place for the home, garden and trips This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 out into the community. These are effective in identifying and minimising risk to children. Effective policies and procedures to maintain the welfare of the children

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the early years provision

are in place and shared with families. Children's individual needs and routines are recognised and met in full.

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the early years provision

Resources are readily available and of good quality. Children are encouraged to explore and play freely around the home. They move confidently with good support from their carer who adapts and extends their play ideas. The childminder promotes an inclusive setting. Interesting resources, activities and community events are used to promote the children's understanding of the wider world. Children are reminded not to tread on toys and help in putting them away, developing their understanding of keeping themselves safe and becoming aware of the space around them. Positive behaviour is praised, children's kindness and helpfulness is acknowledged with certificates. This develops their self esteem, reinforces their behaviour and the other children can share in the positive reinforcement on a day-to-day basis.

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the early years provision

The childminder has effective strategies in place to share information with parents on a daily basis. She has cared for some families for many years and continues to care for siblings both during the day and after school. The parent's questionnaire and letters of recommendation show they are very pleased with the care provided. Having cared for local children for many years she has well established links with other early years providers. The childminder uses a phonics system to introduce the children to the first steps in letter recognition and early reading skills. This links with the systems used in the local schools so children's have a positive start in their first reading experiences.

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the early years provision

The childminder has attended a range of training courses throughout her registration. Recommendations made at the last inspection have been met in full. She is beginning to evaluate her practice and has identified areas to be developed with an ongoing action plan. However, this is not fully effective in enabling her to further enhance outcomes for children and to maintain continuous improvements.

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and outcomes for children

Children build secure relationships and settle well. They show great delight as they look at photographs of the children who they know well. They are beginning to share previous experiences and can reflect on activities and events they have enjoyed in the past. Resources and activities reflect a range of cultures and family settings. Books and posters are used effectively to support the older children's questions and interests. The wall map shows where the children have been on holiday and have family contacts. Resources suitable for the older school age children are readily accessible. Young children are confident in accessing the resources around the home. They are creative as they use small world people as they mimic the real world through their play. Counting, identifying colours and simple shape recognitions is consistently used to promote the children's early learning skills. The childminder is a good role model, she interacts and supports

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and outcomes for children

the children's language and social skills through all aspects of their play. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The observations in the children's scrap books show they are making good progress towards the early learning goals. Photographs show children of all ages taking part in a wide range of experiences both in the home and out in the community. There is a good mix of adult-led and child-initiated activities that promote all areas of the children's learning. However, some aspects of the records of achievements are not effective in identifying the children's starting points and how these are linked to the next steps in their learning. Parents are encouraged to share in the children's scrap books to extend their interests and activities at home.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing a good understanding of how to contribute to their own health and safety. Young children ask for a tissue. They are starting to wipe their own noses and know to put the tissue in the bin. Teeth cleaning has recently been introduced. Children are learning simple tasks as part of the every day routines. The childminder has signed up with the local authority Safer Food, Better Business scheme and has attended food safety training. A sample menu is available for parents and shows the nutritious and healthy options provided. Children have developed trusting relationships with the childminder and the other children in the household. Their self-esteem is fully promoted in all aspects of their daily routines. Children are learning skills that will prepare them for new experiences and extend and develop their future learning. 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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