Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY417227 Inspection date 13/07/2011 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

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. He lives with his wife who is also a registered childminder and their two school age children on the outskirts of Watford. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding. Children do not generally access upstairs other than to sleep as there is a downstairs cloakroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play, the family have a pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children in the early years age range with no more than three children in the early years age range. When working with another childminder may care for a maximum of seven children with no more than six in the early years age range. The childminders are currently caring for five children in the early years age group part time throughout the week. They also provide care for children attending school. The childminder supports children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language. The childminder has completed a level 3 NVQ in Children's Learning and Development. He 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a warm and caring environment for children of all ages. A wide range of interesting and stimulating activities promotes the children's learning to a good level. Parents are kept well informed about their children's achievements and day to day activities. Good personal care routines and regular sharing of information ensures children's individual needs are recognised and met in full. All the required documents are in place to monitor the welfare of the children and for the smooth running of the setting. The childminder has started to review his practice and is committed to developing the service he provides for parents and improving outcomes for all children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the process for self-evaluation to monitor practice and to promote outcomes for all children  review observations to focus on children's interests and learning needs to assist in planning what next to promote their existing talents

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the early years provision

The childminder is very aware of his responsibilities with regards to safeguarding all children. He is a governor at the local school and is the designated person for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safeguarding and inclusion. He has effective procedures in place to enable him to refer any concerns to the Local Safeguarding Children Board. He ensures parents are fully aware of the commitment to child protection with clear procedures readily available. Children's safety and well-being are monitored with effective risk assessments to ensure all areas used by the children are safe and well-maintained. Children's personal safety is promoted to a good level. They learn simple rules that will keep them safe both in the home and out in the community. They take part in evacuation drills and talk about aspects of road safety and stranger danger. Comprehensive risk assessments are in place for the activity groups in the local

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the early years provision

community, outings and events. Children have space to play and they are encouraged to make decisions about what they want to do. Resources are stored at low-level around the home so children of all ages have easy access and free choice from a wide range of interesting, good quality toys. Half of the garden is fenced off to provide a safe place for young children to play close to the house. A covered deck area provides additional play space that can be used in all weathers. The well resourced garden provides an interesting and well managed area for children to play and explore.

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the early years provision

Strong relationships have been established with the families. Up-to-date information on the children's individual needs and personal care is maintained through well-organised use of records and documents. Parents are kept up to date with events and activities with a monthly newsletter. The childminder has not cared for children who have special educational needs and/or learning disabilities. However, he has a clear understanding of the importance of working with parents to ensure all aspects of their children's home life and individual needs are respected and valued. The childminder is a positive role model. Children display good behaviour. All children are encouraged to talk about their interests and share in the decisions about the routines, activities and their own play ideas. There are clear boundaries in place as he speaks clearly to the children so they know what is expected of them. They are beginning to share and to take turns. Children are

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the early years provision

becoming aware of the needs of others and how their actions impact on those playing nearby.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a strong commitment to extending and improving the service he provides. He is involved in the childminder drop in sessions and meetings at the children's centre that provides support and training for local childminders. The childminder has started to make links with other early years settings and to share the children's learning journeys when appropriate. There is good evidence for continued improvement as strategies are in place to identify areas of practice to be developed. As part of a joint childminding setting he has started to review his own practice using the Ofsted on line evaluation process to reflect on areas to be developed and on the many aspects of the provision that are of a good standard.

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and outcomes for children

Young children are very content and happy in the childminder's care. Children arriving at the setting are confident and soon settle to play. They make their requests clear to the childminder who adapts and adds to the toys to promote their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 individual play ideas. Children play extremely well both together and alongside each other. Children's abilities to communicate their needs are developing well. They ask about new resources and are encouraged to find jig saws and make choices about what they want to do. They sit and concentrate on favourite puzzles showing good concentration skills. Children play well together and independently, they are active, inquisitive learners who are well supported by their carer. They are learning to negotiate as they share resources and join together for new experiences. Equality and diversity is promoted through the varied range of

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and outcomes for children

resources and events planned throughout the year. Resources reflect many different cultures and family settings. Frequent outings to children's activities sessions and toddler groups promote the children's social skills and provide new play experiences. Through every day routines and activities such as snack time children are learning to count and to recognise patterns and number. Their language and conversational skills are promoted to a very good level with consistent support and appropriate questions from their carer to make them consider what they need and promote independent thinking. The theme on changes prepares the children for moves onto new settings. Books and activities are used to talk about what is going to happen to give children confidence in new experiences.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework as the basis for the observations and planning. Children's starting points are recorded and used alongside discussions with parents as a basis for their future learning. Learning Journeys have been established with observations, photographs and art work showing that the children take part in many varied activities and events. The childminder links observations of both planned and spontaneous activities to the early learning goals. However, some aspects for identifying the next steps in the children's developing skills are not fully focused on the children's existing talents. Their achievements are recorded but are not extended to show they are competent in their newly found skills. Children learn about a healthy lifestyle through every day activities and routines. While parents provide children's lunch the childminder supplements this with healthy options when required. Children's

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and outcomes for children

physical skills are extended as they take part in a wide range of activities, both indoors and outside. Children are beginning to understand and appreciate the importance of regular exercise and enjoy being outside.

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and outcomes for children

Children are secure and feel safe. Their self-esteem is promoted as the childminder has photographs of all the children taking part in a wide range of events and experiences on display around the home. He responds to each individual child and includes all children in decisions about what they would like to do. They are inquisitive and active learners. Versatile plans, well thought out, age appropriate activities and outings are adapted and extended to meet the needs of the part time children in his care. The childminder provides all children with an exciting range of learning experiences that establishes their skills for 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 3 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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