Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 496880 Inspection date 24/03/2011 Inspector Susan Parker

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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 has been registered since 2001. She lives with her husband in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. The whole of the premises is registered for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. Access to the premises is via two steps to the front door.

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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. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently caring for four children in the early years age range, on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder gained the Hertfordshire Quality Standards aware in 2005.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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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 children's achievements and uses some of this information to plan appropriate activities to help them to progress. She keeps parents informed about what their children are doing and obtains information about their needs and routines. Some of the paperwork required for effective care of the children is not in place. The childminder has completed a self-evaluation of her practice and is committed to improving and developing her service.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide a written record of the risk assessment identifying aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and including anything with which a child may come into contact (Suitable premises, environment and equipment)(also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 07/04/2011

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further?

 ensure that the safeguarding policy includes the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against the childminder (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 07/04/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 develop ongoing observational assessments to inform planning for each child's continuing development 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 has completed safeguarding training and is aware of her responsibility to refer any concerns she may have about children's welfare. She has most of the necessary information to be able to take the appropriate action if necessary. She has an adequate safeguarding children policy, however, this does not include the procedure to follow in the event of an allegation being made. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. A visual risk assessment has been carried out on all parts of the property and the childminder conducts daily checks to ensure that the environment is safe for children. However, there is no record of who carried these out or when. This is a requirement of the Early years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register.

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the early years provision

Resources are well organised. The environment is bright and attractive. Children play in the lounge and conservatory where toys are arranged in low-level baskets to enable children to access them independently. Child-sized furniture is available for children to use. The outside area is used in warmer weather. Children are encouraged to share resources and develop an understanding of each others needs. The childminder has some resources which reflect our diverse world and she introduces topics with older children about the wider world. The childminder exchanges information on what the children have been doing on a daily basis with parents. She ensures that she has written records of the children's attendance, any accidents or medication she administers with the prior written permission of the parent and shows them the information she keeps on their children. The childminder has a written set of policies which cover some aspects of her service.

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the early years provision

These are displayed in a portfolio which she shares with parents and carers.

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the early years provision

The childminder keeps a selection of photographs showing children participating in a wide variety of activities, however, these do not adequately record childrens progress towards the early learning goals. Currently none of the children in the early years age group attend other settings, although the childminder is aware of forming partnerships to share information about children's learning and development when they attend other settings to ensure continuity.

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the early years provision

The childminder has already implemented improvements since becoming registered and is committed to developing her service. She meets with other local childminders and attends the local children's centre as well as regularly updating her training to keep up to date and improve her practice.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very settled and contented in the childminder's care. They are provided with a suitable range of appropriate activities. Toys are easily accessible in the play room and craft and messy activities are provided outside or on the kitchen. The garden is used in warm weather and the children often visit parks and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 play areas. They are beginning to develop an understanding of the effects of exercise on their bodies. The childminder is beginning to make observations of children's play, this is recorded with photographs. These observations are not very systematic and are not linked to the areas of learning to ensure that all areas of development are covered and planned for.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident with the childminder and are beginning to find a voice and discover new words. The childminder notes when they develop new vocabulary. She talks to them sensitively to encourage their language development. Books are accessible and well used. Children develop manipulative skills as they learn to hold a paint brush and puzzles and construction sets help children to problem solve. Children are able to express themselves as they play with small world play and babies explore and examine different objects.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to be creative and experiment using different media such as play dough or paint. They experiment with the sand and water in the garden or at one of the toddler groups they attend. Filling and emptying different size and shape containers. Trips out teach children about the community and the wider world, and cookery and gardening activities also provide opportunities for learning about the world around them. Children learn to play together and socialise and the childminder talks to them about sharing resources. Children develop independence skills as they are able to make choices and explore their environment independently. Babies are able to develop coordination and movement as they crawl around the lounge and conservatory as they choose toys.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is promoted as they go out for walks regularly to get fresh air. This complements the opportunities for physical play in the garden. Satisfactory hygiene procedures are in place to prevent the risk of infection. The childminder incorporates topics on health and hand washing so that children learn how to live a healthy life style. Children's drinks are easily accessible for them and the childminder provides home-cooked snacks and meals which are balanced and healthy.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder talks to them about issues such as road safety and gives explanations about safety when they play. Children aged two years display a good awareness of playing safely near the babies as they remove a small figure and discuss with the childminder their awareness that babies put things in their mouths which is not safe. This shows that children are developing a good awareness of keeping themselves and their play mates safe.

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and outcomes for children

A fire evacuation is practised so that children learn what to do in the event of a fire or emergency. Children have developed warm and trusting relationships with the childminder and so feel safe in the setting. They are leaning to be independent and form relationships and so are learning skills for the future. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 4 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report(Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) 07/04/2011

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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 early years section of the report(Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) 07/04/2011

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