Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY415551 Inspection date 09/05/2011 Inspector Lindsay Hare

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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 partner and two children aged four and 10 years in the Broadwater area of Stevenage. The childminder uses the whole of the house for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder provides care all year round as well as before and after school.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in the early years age range. She is also registered to care for children over five years to 11 years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The family has no pets.

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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

The childminder provides a sufficient range of activities to help children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. She deploys her resources so that children can make some choices about their play; however there are some weaknesses within the planning and assessment process. The childminder works with parents to ensure children are settled in her care and their individual needs are appropriately met. Systems for self-evaluation are evolving and the childminder has identified some areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the observational assessment to clearly show how children are making progress towards the early learning goals  develop the planning of activities in response to the children's next steps.

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the early years provision

The childminder understands her role in safeguarding children and has attended training in child protection so she is clear about the appropriate procedures to put into practice when necessary. This means children are kept safe from harm. All adults living on the premises have been vetted. Documentation is in place to promote the welfare of children. A risk assessment is in place to identify and ensure action is taken in order to protect children from hazards both inside, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 outside or whilst on outings. The childminder supervises children as they play, making sure her home is secure so that children cannot leave unattended.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes inclusion appropriately as she makes sure the activities on offer suitably meet children's individual needs. Resources are organised so that children can select toys and activities they wish to play with; these are checked regularly to ensure they are safe for children. The childminder uses resources such as the Children's centre, toy library and post office to further extend children's awareness of their local community. The childminder has a positive attitude to liaising with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage and is beginning to make links with these settings, although currently, she has no involvement with external agencies. The childminder is beginning to identify some areas of strength and areas which require development in order to maintain continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good relationships with parents; she gathers clear information from them so that she knows about children's individual interests and needs and can provide consistency of care. Parents receive daily verbal and written feedback so that they know about their child's day. The childminder ensures that all parents read and sign to say they understand the policies and procedures she has in place. Parents are regularly given the learning journals to look at.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a sound understanding of how young children learn and this enables her to provide experiences and activities to support children's learning and development. The childminder keeps a record of children's progress, however the information gained from her observations of children is not fully used to assess how well children are progressing towards the early learning goals as it does not link to the Early Years Foundation Stage. The planning is flexible, although the activities offered are not evaluated and are not always in response to the individual children's next steps. Children have a good understanding about the relevance of healthy lifestyles and healthy eating. They discuss food at lunchtime, talking about the healthy foods they eat at home and explain that snacks give them energy. Discussions about which type of soap they use at school and reminders, such as not having 'sandy sandwiches' encourages them to understand why they need to

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing independence skills as they serve themselves food at lunchtime and take care of their own needs, such as fetching a sunhat to wear whilst playing outside. They are encouraged to learn about following rules and sharing through turn taking games. The childminder provides a welcoming environment where each child is valued, and they are relaxed and comfortable in her care. Open discussion and resources help children learn about the diverse society in which they live, for example, they talk about soldiers and Remembrance Day after making a poppy at school. The childminder also has dual language books This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and pictures to encourage communication with children who may have English as an additional language.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn problem solving skills as they operate simple equipment such as firing a plane into the air, and the childminder challenges them to see how high they can make it go. They talk about the cutlery being cold to touch and remember how hot the metal clasp on the seatbelt got when it was sunny and that they could not touch it. Children begin to develop early writing skills, as they write their name label and are keen to extend their knowledge of rhyming words as they tell the childminder 'cheese rhymes with please'. They recognise letters and their corresponding sounds to produce words, for example, sounding out the letters on the cutlery to read 'spoon' and 'fork'. They enjoy looking at books and sharing stories, and visits to the local library further enhance their literacy skills. Children explore their creativity through a range of messy play activities; making handprints in the sand and looking at patterns left by the car tracks as they push them in the

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and outcomes for children

The childminder helps children to gain an awareness of how to keep safe, both in the home and on outings; they learn about how to cross the road safely and which equipment in the park is safe for them to use. Children practise the fire drill so that they know what to do in an emergency. Systems are in place for recording accidents and medication; the childminder ensures she is able to respond appropriately if children have an accident as she has completed an appropriate first aid qualification. Children enjoy some opportunities for fresh air and exercise as they play in the garden or local park. Clear information is gathered about children's dietary requirements. Children behave well because they are given clear expectations and explanations about the consequences of their behaviour. They are praised for using good manners at the table. 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 3 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 2 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 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: 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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