Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY414717 Inspection date 30/03/2011 Inspector Rosemary Coburn

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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 2010. She lives with her husband and three children in a three bedroom semi-detached house in the North Finchley area of London Borough of Barnet. The areas used for childminding comprises of two receptions rooms, kitchen, toilet and washbasin. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register to care for no more than six children under eight years; of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group. There are currently four children on roll. The childminder is a member of the local childminding network.

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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

Overall children benefit from the childminder's good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and this enables children to make good progress given their starting points. The childminder works well in partnership with parents and other agencies and understands the benefits of sharing relevant information which support joint working practices in order to support the needs of all children and promote inclusion and equality of opportunity. Assessment systems for planning, observation and evaluation of children's individual needs supports the uniqueness of the child. Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded and good systems for self-evaluation drive the childminder's capacity to maintain continuous improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the resources to actively promote equality and diversity  develop further knowledge and understanding of systems for retaining and keeping documents and records securely and confidentiality so that they may be easily accessible and available for inspection

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the early years provision

Children are appropriately safeguarded as the childminder has effective systems in place to promote their health and safety and support them in developing healthy lifestyles. She has a good understanding of child protection procedures and knows where to make referrals. Consequently, should any accident occur, or if she has concerns about the well-being of any child, suitable measures are taken and appropriate procedures are followed. Well documented and regular risk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessments ensure children's safety and welfare whilst with the childminder.

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the early years provision

The childminder forms suitable relationships with parents. Furthermore, partnerships with other settings which children also attend fully support continuity and consistency in learning. Assessment systems for planning, observation and evaluation of children's individual needs are suitably documented. This supports the uniqueness of the child and outlines the next steps of learning. All relevant policies and procedures are readily available to parents. The required documentation supports the smooth running of the setting and is confidentially stored. However, the childminder's understanding of ensuring that systems for retaining and keeping documents on the premises so that they may be easily accessible and available for inspection by Ofsted is not consistently managed. Nevertheless, a consistent approach to the shared management of children's individual needs is promoted and parents are provided with a wide range of quality

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the early years provision

information about the provision which supports the needs of all children, and promotes inclusion and equality and diversity. . The childminder deploys resources effectively so that children have access to a good range and depth of toys, resources, play materials and learning opportunities both indoors and outdoors. This promotes outcomes for children. However, resources which depict positive images of people living different ways of life and from different parts of the world are limited. Nonetheless, she provides children with good opportunities to regularly visit other early years settings where such resources are effectively promoted and children's knowledge and understanding of the world is supported. Consequently, the balance of adult-led and child-initiated play experiences supports children in making good progress in relation to their starting points.

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the early years provision

The childminder's systems of self-evaluation include the views of parents and children in order to form an integral part of her practice and continual assessment. She is committed to developing systems to improve her practice. She extends her knowledge and professional development through training, maintaining suitable links with neighbouring schools, links with the Local Education Authority, the local Childminding Network and other early years providers, in order to enhance outcomes for children. This also demonstrates her commitment to and capacity for driving improvements.

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and outcomes for children

Children have safe and unlimited opportunities to choose freely and independently from a good range and balance of toys, play materials and resources which are suitable for all ages of children. Outcomes for children are promoted in relation to their starting points and this is partly attributed to the effective deployment of resources. Consequently children are safe and feel safe and they benefit from being cared for in a warm and secure environment.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy and achieve in the care of this warm and caring childminder. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder recognises and values the uniqueness each child brings. Consequently, children are making good progress in their learning and development as the childminder plans activities which are based on their interests and abilities and supports them in working towards the early learning goals. For example, young children's language development is supported as the childminder constantly talks to, and interacts with children at their level. This also supports children's personal, social and emotional development as they learn to communicate and develop good relationships.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy nutritious snacks, fresh cooked and well balanced meals and know that healthy food is good for them. Children engage in a good range of physical activities, such as daily outings to the park and children's resources within the local community where they have access to larger play equipment. Additionally, a well resourced outdoor play area supports children's physical development. Suitably implemented safety measures and effective risk assessments provide children with good opportunities to develop skills for the future. For example, young children learn to prepare simple snacks and refreshments, which they eat mid-morning or at lunch time, as they learn to wash fruits and vegetables in small bowls. This contributes to children's good health and supports them in developing healthy lifestyles.

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and outcomes for children

Secure and trusting relationships help children develop confidence and support children's good behaviour. Babies and young children are able to make a positive contribution to the setting through secure relationships with the childminder who actively listens and gives them her full attention when they try to communicate. The childminder provides an inclusive provision for all children and families from different backgrounds. This supports children in learning to accept differences and to show respect for others. However, the range and depth of toys and resources do not effectively promote diversity. Nevertheless, suitable policies and procedures support all children including those who have special educational needs or disabilities. 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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