Childminder in HertfordshireOfsted inspection, 23 Mar 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY343509 Inspection date 23/03/2011 Inspector Jane O'Callaghan

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and three children, aged eight, five and one year old on the outskirts of Hemel Hempstead. The whole of the home, upstairs bathroom and rear garden are used for childminding purposes. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of two children under eight years at any one time. The childminder currently has one child on roll whom is within the early years age range and four children are in the compulsory childcare group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects and takes children to local schools, visits parks and places of interest. She has two rabbits as family pets

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 is highly motivated and very effectively promotes the children's welfare and learning through her excellent knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The children are thriving as the childminder has a secure understanding of their individual needs and an ability to promote their learning in an enjoyable way. The children's health, safety and well-being are given the highest priority, underpinned by policies, procedures and accurate record keeping. Partnership with parents and other settings that children attend is a key strength as they are kept well informed about children's achievements and parents can contribute to the observation and planning process. The childminder's excellent commitment to self-evaluation fully involves children and families in developing and taking forward her provision to ensure continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 developing further the outdoor learning environment to consistently promote all areas of learning

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the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to protect children and recognises that this is a priority. She is vigilant, aware of the signs and symptoms of possible abuse and knows the appropriate procedures to follow should she have concerns about a child in her care. She has lots of relevant information referring to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 child protection and ensures that parents are fully aware of her role. High priority is given to ensuring that children remain safe in the childminder's home. An effective range of safety devices, such as safety gates, socket covers and smoke alarms are fitted throughout her home. The childminder undertakes rigorous risk assessments to ensure hazards are minimised, in the home, outside and for all outings undertaken. These are done daily, recorded and also dated along with when they will be reviewed. She also has a record of visitors to her home and

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the early years provision

checks all personal identification. The children feel totally at ease in the suitably maintained, safe and secure surroundings and move around with great confidence. There are well organised comprehensive policies and procedures in place that fully support the childminder in giving the utmost priority to protect all children, promoting their well-being and supporting them to develop to their full potential. The childminder works very closely with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage for the continuity of care and sharing of relevant information to benefit the children. These approaches enable her to respond to any identified learning and developmental needs. The childminder is meticulous in constantly improving her partnership with parents and families receive an excellent level of information. The childminder sends out regular newsletters and also questionnaires for both parents and children asking about the setting and care children receive.

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the early years provision

All of the ideas and suggestions are listened and responded to in a very sensitive and efficient manner. Parents have excellent opportunities to contribute to their children's learning journals. They have every confidence in the childminder who takes delight in the children, to provide them with a wonderful, family environment where they have fun, grow and develop.

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the early years provision

The childminder is enthusiastic and has ambitions to raise the standards of care and learning further, for all the children in attendance. She has a clear vision of developments she wishes to make and is confident and capable to make continuous improvement. For example, she is in the process of completing a level three qualification in childcare. Evaluation takes full account of parents' and children's views to identify her many strengths and she is highly competent in accomplishing the goals she sets for herself. The childminder's practice has excellent regard to equality of opportunity and is highly inclusive because of her in-depth knowledge and clear understanding of each child's background and needs. Her exemplary knowledge, resources and activities effectively help children to understand the society in which they live and the wider world.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well settled and thrive in the childminder's care. They learn and develop at a very good pace because the childminder plans and provides a wide range of activities based on their skills and interests. Children can easily access a wide range of age appropriate toys and resources, easily accessible to them. The childminder knows when to join in and when to sit back and let the children investigate. She talks constantly to the children as they play, repeating words such as 'big' and 'small'. They compare the different size toy mirrors and place them on This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their heads, laughing as they see the ones that they can balance. Therefore, they are given excellent opportunities to develop early communication skills. Children have very good opportunities to develop their literacy skills. They can choose from a large selection of books, some they obtain from their visit to the local library. The

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and outcomes for children

childminder encourages children to sit with her as she reads the story about the penguin. Children then get out the other penguins and compare the sizes and line them up to count them as they listen to the story. The childminder talks to the children about where penguins live and selects a game about how to balance the penguins and then play it with help from the childminder. Children get lots of opportunities to socialise, through extensive trips out to local groups, other childminders and days out on picnics in the park. The childminder ensures that all children get plenty of time to play out in the well resourced rear garden. They use their imagination in the play house where they access a wide selection of dressing up clothes to participate in a variety of role play, ride on bicycles, play ball games and grow vegetables. Although, the outdoor learning environment does not consistently promote all areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a very well developed and thorough observational assessment system in place. She works with parents to record full details of what the children can do when they start, then uses this information as a secure base to move them forward. She keeps a daily record of their wellbeing and achievements, using a sticker system to link these to the expectations of the early learning goals. She takes time through the month to carry out regular observations. She uses this information to identify next step's in children's learning which she then incorporates into individual plans for each child's development. This means that children make rapid progress in the childminder's care.

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and outcomes for children

The excellent provision of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks, planned effectively in the weekly menu, accessible drinks and extensive opportunities for fresh air and exercise fully promotes children's all-round good health. The children additionally learn about a healthy lifestyle by being encouraged to wash their hands with the disposable paper towels before snacks and meal times. Children at snack time are able to choose from a wide variety of fruit and then put a sticker on the healthy fruit chart. The children's safety is an extremely high priority. For example, the childminder encourages them to take part in regularly practised and recorded fire drills. She also have lots of laminated information about road safety displayed around the setting to remind them of how to keep themselves safe. Children also wear reflective arm bands when out and about. The children's behaviour is very good, the childminder sets clear boundaries. Children share the

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and outcomes for children

resources and the time of the childminder, responding well to gentle reminders of how to be polite and say thank you and please. Children also devise their own house rules which are displayed and reviewed by them regularly. The childminder is a good role model, consistently praising and encouraging the children building on their self-esteem. 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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