Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY347591 Inspection date 26/01/2011 Inspector Ann Cozzi

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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 2007. She lives with her partner and one child aged four years in a first floor flat in Ware, Hertfordshire. The childminder uses the whole of the flat she lives in for childminding activities. Children have supervised access in the communal area adjacent to the flat for outside play. When working alone the childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. When working with an assistant at the same premises they may care for maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom not more than six may be in the early years age range. The childminder is registered to provide overnight care. The childminder receives early education funding for three and four-year-olds.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is currently minding seven children in the early years age group most of whom attend on a part time basis. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder has a budgerigar, fish, dog and cat as 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

A well developed knowledge of each child's needs ensures that the childminder effectively promotes their welfare and learning. Children are generally safe and secure in this setting and have ample opportunity to learn about their local area and the wider world. Partnerships with parents are effective in making sure that the needs of all children are met, along with any additional support needs. Partnerships with other providers of care and education are developing. Children progress well given their age, ability and starting points. Regular self-evaluation by the childminder makes sure that priorities for development are identified and acted upon, resulting in a provision which is responsive to user needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 make sure that risk assessment cover anything with which a child may come into contact  improve the steps taken to prevent the spread of infection with regard to hand drying facilities  maintain a regular two-way flow of information with regard to maintaining accident records and sharing information with other providers of care and education with regard to children s learning 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 shows a clear understanding of how to make a referral should she have a child protection concern. There are safeguarding systems in place which are implemented in practice. These include a wide range of policies and procedures which support the management of the provision. There are written risk assessments in place although the childminder has omitted to include some areas of her home. This does not ensure that her assessments are entirely effective. Required records, contracts and permission forms are maintained. There is a record of children's hours of attendance which means that the childminder is able to safely account for each child in her care at all times. The childminder is able to provide appropriate treatment to children in the event of an emergency. This is because she has an up-to-date paediatric first aid qualification. The childminder has a wide range of toys and resources. They are organised by her to ensure

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the early years provision

children's access them on a rota basis. This is to ensure that the space and activities available are organised in a way which promotes the developing independent skills of children attending.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are promoted by the sharing of information via daily verbal communication, good access to children's learning records and half yearly reviews. Whilst this enables the childminder to provide continuity of care, her approach when sharing accident records with parents is inconsistent. Arrangements for working in partnership with other settings children attend are in their infancy. This has the potential to impact on the childminders ability to consistently underpin the successful delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder promotes diversity helping to support children's growing awareness of others and the world around them. There is no bias in her practice in relation to gender, race or disability.

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the early years provision

The childminder regularly reflects on her provision, for example, she seeks the views of parents and consults with the Local Authority Development worker about best practice. In addition she holds regular discussions with other local childminders and records information about her strengths and areas she has identified for development. This information is assessed by her and used as a development tool to promote improvement that will lead to the continuous development of her provision. The childminder strives to ensure her provision is sustainable.

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and outcomes for children

Children are supported well to make good progress towards the six early learning goals. There are effective systems in place to observe, assess and plan interesting and exciting learning opportunities for the children in her care. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are secure and have lots of fun as they take part in activities or explore resources. They are able to make consistent choices and decisions about the activities they wish to engage and as a result, initiate their own learning. Children are encouraged to make good progress in communicating, literacy, numeracy and skills relating to information and communication technology. For example, they discover with delight what happens next when they press buttons on a pretend battery operated washing machine. Children are developing cooperation skills as they negotiate with others during play. For example, working collaboratively and

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and outcomes for children

sharing crayons and paper when mark-making. When taking part in creative development, children recreate real or imagined experiences, such as, feeding their baby doll milk from a pretend bottle. Children enjoy playing with construction materials they demonstrate their increasing physical control as they carefully push the pieces together and then pull them apart.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about safety through established daily routines and practice. For example, they practice emergency evacuation of the premises and learn about road safety when they are out in the local community with the childminder. Children demonstrate a feeling of security in the care of the childminder as they seek her out for cuddles and to join in with their play. Children's developing understanding of appropriate behaviour is supported successfully. They are provided with learning opportunities which help to develop their understanding about healthy lifestyles although children's use of a communal towel in the bathroom does not fully support their understanding about how to prevent cross- contamination. Children enjoy a good range of physical activities, both indoors and when outside, developing their understanding about the importance of regular exercise. They are able to rest or be active according to their individual needs.

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and outcomes for children

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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