Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY336650 Inspection date 18/07/2011 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and three years in the Great Ashby area of Stevenage. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is access to a secure garden for outdoor play. The childminder provides care before and after school, all year round.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years, of whom, two can be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for five children, all of whom, are in the early years age group. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The family has one cat.

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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 safe and welcoming environment for all the children and ensures that they are included and supported. Clear and detailed policies and procedures are kept and the written documentation generally contains all the required information. Children make good progress in their learning and development, however, the observational assessment does not always inform future planning. The childminder is in the early stages of reflecting on her practice and has identified some areas where improvement is needed.

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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 so that individual children s next steps are identified and used to inform future planning  develop the process of self-evaluation and reflective practice, in order to further identify areas for improvement  improve the written record of risk assessment to clearly detail any action taken to minimise any identified risks

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the early years provision

The childminder supports the welfare and learning of the children through the organisation of the provision. The policy for safeguarding children and the childminder's clear understanding of the procedure to follow if she has concerns means that children are well protected. All adults in the household have been vetted. Children move freely around the premises because the childminder takes effective steps to minimise the hazards and supervises them at all times. Effective This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 risk assessments are conducted of the premises, garden and any outings that the children participate in, however, the written record does not clearly show if action has been taken to reduce the risks to children.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes children's awareness of the wider world through discussion and some resources, such as, play food from different countries and dual language books, although, she has identified this as an area she wishes to develop. She recognises the importance of gaining information from the family about the children's backgrounds and routines to enable her to meet their needs. The childminder has detailed policies and procedures within her portfolio and parents are asked to sign their agreement with these policies and any reviewed polices are shared. Children are encouraged to recycle plastic and paper waste and frequently visit the local recycling plant. The childminder makes good use of community resources, such as, the library, farm, where they pick strawberries and local parks with climbing apparatus for different physical abilities.

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the early years provision

The childminder has positive relationships with parents and carers. Daily diaries as well as a verbal handover provide parents with information on how their child is achieving and their well-being. The learning journals are shared with parents and the childminder encourages them to contribute their own observations and comments. The childminder is fully aware of developing effective links with other carers and seeking advice from external agencies and working with them to ensure continuity of care and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder is in the early stages of developing her self-evaluation and has a positive attitude to continuously evaluating her practice and promoting improvement. She has identified some areas for improvement and has sent out questionnaires to parents to gain evaluative feedback and enable her to build on her knowledge and improve the outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children have good opportunities to help them make progress across all areas of learning and development through a balanced range of adult and child-led activities. They are able to access a wide selection of resources for themselves in the playroom. The observational assessment is linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage and although, some general next steps are identified, individual children's next steps are not used to inform the future planning of activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and confident to explore the environment, which is bright and welcoming. They are supported in their learning as the childminder talks to them, modelling language and repeating words. Very young children babble, imitate voices and clap their hands in response and the older ones are starting to link two words, such as, 'hello doggy'. Children are encouraged to be independent, collecting their shoes, undoing the fastenings on their coats and spreading their own butter on their bun. They develop their understanding of how things work, for example, sticking the Velcro strap across on their shoes and switching the toy This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Hoover on and off. Children are developing their early writing skills as they are able to find the first initial in their name, trace it with their finger, making the sound and attempt to write it. Young children experience shapes and stacking

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and outcomes for children

beakers, sorting them by size so that they fit back inside one another. They continue to develop these skills as they take turns playing matching card games.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop their physical skills as they use the slide in the garden, wiping it dry with a towel first and jumping on the small trampoline. They enjoy watering the herbs with the watering can and younger children use the furniture to pull themselves up to stand. Children enjoy looking at books with the childminder, as they turn the pages and point to familiar characters. They discuss their own likes and dislikes and count the fruit that the caterpillar eats, whilst reading 'The hungry caterpillar' story. They are able to count ten crayons and recognise numbers on the scales, whilst cooking.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes equality and diversity, celebrating some multicultural festivals. She is aware of individual children's allergies and works with parents to discover any triggers and how best to alleviate any discomfort, experienced by the child.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure in the setting and are developing an understanding of keeping themselves safe, because the childminder makes them aware of dangerous situations. For example, they are given clear reasons why they need to use the steps and not climb up the slide and understand why they cannot use the high slide. One child was observed getting a hat as he knew he needed to wear a hat whilst riding a bike. Children are given healthy meals and snacks. Good personal hygiene is promoted as the children enjoy rubbing their hands with soap to make bubbles. The childminder has a positive approach to managing children's behaviour, offering lots of praise and support if needed. 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 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 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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