Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY421651 Inspection date 13/09/2011 Inspector Maura Pigram

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2010. She lives with her partner and child aged two years in Redbourn, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and a playroom and a bedroom on the first floor are also used. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family have pet dogs, fish and horses.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. She 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children enjoy their time with the childminder who organises a range of experiences for them. She recognises the uniqueness of each child. She works closely with parents and they share valuable information which promotes children's welfare to ensure consistency of care and individual needs are carefully monitored. However, there are no clear systems to ensure starting points are well used and for monitoring children's individual progress in their learning to enable the childminder to plan for their continuing development. The childminder has taken adequate steps to evaluate her practices and has identified some areas to address, such as further training and the development of partnerships with other providers that children attend.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop planning so that children's play and learning experiences is based on their interests and needs and use observations to plan the next steps in a child's developmental progress  develop a regular two-way flow of information between providers where children attend  develop systems for monitoring the quality of the provision taking into account views of children and parents. 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 ensures safeguarding regulations and duties are met. She is aware of her responsibilities and has required documentation to support her in protecting children's welfare. Parents are informed of her role in child protection prior to placing children in her care. Risk assessments for all areas and outings are carried out so that any identified risks to children are minimised.

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the early years provision

The childminder is keen to continually improve her knowledge and understanding of child development and childcare practices. Since registration, she has attended training sessions which has had some impact on children's learning. The self- evaluation process is in the early stages of development, the childminder has identified some aspects to develop such as planning and assessment. However, she has yet to identify further strengths and priorities for development which will impact on the children's outcomes. The wide range of resources are good, fit for purpose and are able support children's learning and development. The childminder ensures these are in good order and is in the process of labelling boxes with pictures and words so that children can easily identify these.

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the early years provision

Children are helped to understand differences in the society they live in through outings to various venues and to age appropriate groups where they learn to respect others. The childminder has close relationships with parents that benefit the children, such as flexible settling-in process. Parents feel confident about asking the childminder for advice regarding issues, such as behaviour management and children's eating habits. Information gathered and discussed with parents mainly includes details regarding aspects of their children's care. Although, some learning needs are discussed, these, such as starting points are not yet fully used in planning activities. She uses a care diary and shares the recently developed learning journals so that parents can be involved in their children's achievements. The childminder is aware of the need to form effective links with other providers who share the care and learning of some of her children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a sound knowledge of the learning, development and welfare requirements and guidance for the Early Years Foundations Stage. Children are very relaxed and make themselves at home. They understand the routines and expectations which contributes to them developing skills for the future, such as sharing and taking turns. Children play well together in the childminder's home where they have an appropriate balance of free choice and adult-led activities that will interest them and provide some challenge. They enjoy good relationships with the childminder and their peers and enjoy imaginative play in the playroom. Children make appropriate progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder has begun to make some useful observations on individual children. However, she has not yet developed an effective observation and assessment This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

process to help her identify individual children's progress and plan for their next steps in their learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children become absorbed and concentrate well at activities. They have fun taking part in a wide range of art and craft activities, such as creating butterflies and using junk materials and enjoy colouring pictures. They take great pleasure in showing their finished projects to their families and enjoy cutting out pictures to decorate their cafe. The childminder promotes their use of language well as she continually talks to the children about what they are doing. Children have access to a good range of story books and factual books. This encourages reading for pleasure and reading for information and meaning. Children's numeracy and problem solving skills are supported through baking items, such as celebration cakes. Recently children enjoyed making and eating bread as part of their meal. A wide range of outings to places such as nature areas, animal parks and museums, help children learn about the local environment, the natural world and times past.

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and outcomes for children

This builds a positive attitude to learning. Garden play and park visits ensure children have daily exercise and fresh air. Children learn how to keep themselves safe especially when outside. They learn to cross roads carefully and are aware of the need to stay close to the childminder when outdoors.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder especially encourages positive relationships and helps children to be kind and considerate to each other. They are developing good levels of self- esteem and have built strong relationships with the childminder who is interested in what they say and do. She works alongside parents to resolve any unacceptable behaviour so that the children develop good social skills. Children are beginning to show an understanding about healthy lifestyles. For example, gentle reminders from the childminder ensure they develop appropriate personal hygiene routines, such as independently washing their hands following use of the toilet. Dietary needs and parental preferences are met so that a continuation of care can effectively take place. 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 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 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 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 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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