Childminder in BarnetOfsted inspection, 4 Oct 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY417734 Inspection date 04/10/2011 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 was registered in 2011. She lives with her three children in Aldenham on the outskirts of Watford, Hertfordshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a downstairs cloakroom and children have access to the secure patio area of the garden.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. When working with one assistant this number increases to a total of twelve children, with no more than six in the early years age group. When working with two assistants this increases to a maximum of nine children in the early years age group. She is currently caring for two children in the early years age range and also offers care to children aged over five to 11 years.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder holds a nursery nurse examination board qualification.

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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 are happy and settled in the childminder's care. She has started to use observations and assessments to show children are making satisfactory progress in their learning. Parents are kept informed of their children's personal care routines and the activities they have enjoyed. Some of the required paperwork for the well- being of the children and the smooth running of the setting is being reviewed and is to be shared with parents. The childminder is beginning to evaluate her practice and is committed to improving and developing the service that she provides to the families in her care.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure risk assessments are relevant to the setting, reflect different types of outings and are shared with other adults working at the setting  establish effective communication with parents to ensure they are aware of the documents that are in place for the well-being of the children and the smooth running of the setting  review observations to link with the early learning goals and focus on children's interests and learning needs to assist in planning their next steps and promote their existing talents. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder and the assistants are clear about their responsibilities to provide a safe environment. Information from the Local Safeguarding Children Board is available but not shared with parents. This means they are not aware of the procedures that are in place to protect their children. Background checks have been taken out on all adults in the home and the assistants who work alongside the childminder. The childminder has strategies in place to ensure a safe environment. The home and garden are secure at all times, with parents having keys to access the property when they come to collect their children. This builds on the childminder's ethos of an open style of care where parents are welcome at all times. A password system is in place for the safe collection of children by adults not known to the setting. The childminder has a process in place to monitor the safety of the areas used by the children. However,

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the early years provision

this information is not readily available to the assistants, so the process for identifying and minimising risks to children is not effective. This also applies to the risk assessments for outings. She is currently reviewing the documentation, and as a result paperwork is not particularly well organised or readily accessible for parents. For example they are not made fully aware of the policies, such as complaints, inclusion, and uncollected and lost child procedures.

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the early years provision

Overall, the relationships with parents work well. The daily communications book ensures they are fully informed about personal care routines, meals, outings and activities their children have enjoyed. The childminder is very enthusiastic and is proactive in providing a very caring and flexible service to accommodate different work patterns for families. A free-play ethos supports the children's independence and they understand the simple rules that are in place to ensure safe play. The childminder is a good role model; she promotes good manners and talks to the children about being kind and taking turns. Through clear guidance they are beginning to understand the impact their actions have on other children playing nearby. The childminder has given over the spacious lounge and dining room areas of the home as they have been adapted as play space. This provides an interesting and stimulating environment for children to explore and take part in a range of

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the early years provision

activities. Children have easy access to the safe, fenced part of the garden that provides suitable play space.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of the importance of developing links with other providers and early years support services. Children in her care are not currently attending other settings. The childminder has not cared for children who have special educational needs and/or learning disabilities. However, she has a clear understanding of the importance of working with parents to ensure all aspects of their home life and the children's individual needs are respected and valued. The childminder is beginning to review her practice and to identify areas to be developed. She is looking at future training opportunities for herself and her assistants. This shows a commitment to extending her service to parents and improving outcomes for all children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a range of resources, activities and outings throughout the week that meet the needs of the various ages of children she cares for. The divided playroom gives opportunities for younger children to sleep or play safely. The area can be adapted to provide an interesting space for older children to access age-appropriate games and resources away from the younger children playing nearby.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has established very detailed observations as part of the daily diary. Parents are encouraged to comment on what the children have enjoyed and share experiences from home. However, the observations are not linked to the early learning goals and do not show how children are progressing or identify the next steps in the children's learning. This means that activities are not effectively planned for and resources are not always used to the maximum benefit of the children's developing skills. Children are very confident and secure in the childminder's care. Their independence is promoted as they are encouraged to make decisions about their play. Children tidy away the toys to make space for the large indoor inflatable soft play centre. This is extremely popular and provides great fun and laughter as they jump and move freely in the safe, contained space. Children's social skills are consistently promoted with clear interaction and support

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and outcomes for children

from the childminder. This interaction extends their language and counting skills and ensures they are fully involved in decision making about the plans for later in the day. Trips out in the community extend the children's social skills and understanding of the wider world. All children are developing a strong sense of belonging and self-esteem as they are listened to and their views are valued.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder knows the children well. Children show great confidence in their carer. They are beginning to find a voice and are competent communicators for their ages. Equality and diversity are promoted through a range of resources and events throughout the year. Resources reflect different cultures and family settings and are incorporated into the children's play. Children's personal health is promoted through effective everyday routines. Drinks are available at all times, and healthy snacks and meals are provided in line with parents' requests and dietary requirements. Children have developed a warm and trusting relationship with the other children and their carers. Their self-esteem is promoted with positive interaction and freedom to make choices about their play. Children are learning skills that ensure they cope with new experiences and to extend and develop 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 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 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 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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