Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY424769 Inspection date 07/10/2011 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

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 husband and children aged five and two years in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. The whole of property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four 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 three 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 to eleven 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is very well organised and knows each child well, effective settling in procedures contribute to children feeling secure and fully included. The childminder strives to ensure that each child's welfare and learning needs are mostly well met. She adapts activities so that every child can enjoy a range of experiences that meet their developmental needs. She has systems in place to review her practices, update her knowledge and demonstrates a commitment to maintaining continuous improvement. Partnerships with parents are highly valued and they share valuable information that promotes children's welfare. Partnerships with other providers where children attend are in the developing stages and are used to promote children's well-being.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further planning and assessment systems so that interests, learning styles and the next steps in children's learning are clarified and matched to the expectations of the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an effective understanding of safeguarding issues which promotes children's welfare. She ensures parents are aware of her role in child protection before they place their children in her care. Thorough risk assessments This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ensure all areas are safe and suitable for children. Her detailed records are carefully maintained and she has a comprehensive set of policies and procedures that reflect her knowledge of the requirements and her commitment to promoting children's welfare. She has an excellent understanding of the importance of promoting a highly positive relationship with parents who are heavily involved in decision making through regular questionnaires and discussions. In addition, the use of learning journals, diaries, text messages and informal feedback ensures continuity of care and provides reassurance to parents of new children. Parents are

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the early years provision

exceptionally pleased with the care provided and are happy to recommend the childminder's services to others. The childminder has a clear vision for the future and is effectively reflecting on the service which includes parents and children's views. She is considering developing a newsletter for parents to further inform them about their children's achievements and forthcoming events. The childminder has started to develop a partnership with other providers where children attend although this is not yet effective to fully support children's continuity of learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder enjoys her work with children and shows commitment to developing her knowledge of child care and education. She shares good practice with other childminders and attends childminding forums to extend her knowledge. As a result outcomes for children are continually improved. The resources both indoors and outdoors are of high quality, easily available and are rotated to suit children's individual leaning needs and interests. These along with the childminder's positive interaction and the broad range of activities offered effectively support children's learning and development. All children are fully included and purposeful activities, such as, the celebration of festivals ensure they develop an understanding of others and the world around them.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder who is attentive and very aware of individual needs. She creates a comfortable home environment where children safely access a wide range of resources that are suitable for their age and stage of development. The childminder knows the children well which allows her to adapt activities for different abilities and preferences. She plans activities around themes, such as, the seasons and festivals and always provides children with individual choices. She is also flexible in her approach to adapt children's ideas into learning opportunities. The childminder has a secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and she carries out useful observations to help children make good progress towards the early goals. However, systems are not yet clear to ensure the next steps in children's learning are clarified and used for planning for their continuing development across all six areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

They freely help themselves to the wide range of easily available resources in the conservatory which is dedicated to their play and learning. They enjoy many creative activities which are adapted so that all children can join in. They particularly enjoy painting, printing, sticking and making items from junk materials. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 This contributes effectively to the development of problem solving skills. They play imaginatively with cars, farm animals and small world people. Children's language skills develop well as the childminder talks with the children at all times. She responds positively to children and asks open questions to help their thought process. Early mathematical development is supported through everyday activities, such as, counting cars seen on outings, construction and jigsaws. Children's language skills are very well supported as the childminder responds effectively to

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and outcomes for children

the children at all times. They enjoy sharing books, singing songs and listening to the phonics CD which helps them to recognise sounds and words. This means that they are developing effective skills for the future. Children learn important social skills, such as, sharing and taking turns while playing games and the completion of interesting and stimulating jigsaws. Children learn acceptable behaviour because the childminder sets clear boundaries

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and outcomes for children

Children's understanding of the wider world is well promoted through purposeful activities, such as, cooking and the making of artefacts related to festivals. In attention, they regularly attend age appropriate groups where they join in with a wide range of activities on offer and are able to socialise with children from various backgrounds.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is enhanced because positive steps are taken by the childminder to promote children's good health. For example, they enjoy growing a range of vegetables, such as, carrots and enjoy tasting these alongside the homemade avocado dip which they help to make. Children know to keep in sight of the childminder at all times when on outings and when walking to and from school. Outings to local attractions, parks and the local field, where they enjoy a range of games and picnics contribute to children's good health. 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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