Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY426619 Inspection date 18/10/2011 Inspector Jane Mount

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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 April 2011. She lives with her husband and two year old son and the property is situated in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is close to local amenities, such as shops, schools and parks. All areas of the premises are included in the registration with toilet and sleep facilities situated on the first floor. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The registration is for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time with no more than two children in the early years age group including one child under a year. The childminder is currently caring for four children, two of whom are in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

Overnight care is included in the registration. The family have two dogs and two cats as pets.

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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

An inclusive and welcoming environment is provided in which children feel at home and share secure, friendly relationships with the childminder. They are fully supported and their individual needs are met because the childminder works in close partnership with parents. Children are making good progress in their learning as activities and play experiences are tailored to their developmental needs. The childminder has effective systems in place to ensure children are safeguarded and their welfare is protected. Some processes for monitoring the quality of the provision are in place and a system, such as self-evaluation, to ensure continuous improvement is about to be implemented.

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further?

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

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further?

 implement a quality improvement system, such as self-evaluation, to more closely monitor and extend effective practice to ensure continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is fully protected as the childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of how to protect children from harm. She has a safeguarding policy in place and she regularly updates her child protection knowledge through attending suitable courses. All relevant publications and guidance leaflets are easily This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 accessible and all household members have had relevant background checks completed. The childminder has a clear understanding of issues relating to safety and positive steps are taken to keep children safe, such as using a safety gate to prevent children accessing the stairs or the kitchen. The childminder ensures children are closely supervised at all times and written risk assessments and on- going visual assessments ensure the environment remains safe and children are protected.

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the early years provision

This is the childminders first inspection since registering and she has worked hard to develop a secure knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Documentation for the safe and efficient management of the setting and to promote children's well-being is in place and overall well-organised. Written policies and procedures are shared with parents and are informative. The childminder strives to provide a quality service and is aware of her key strengths and the areas she wishes to develop further. She undertakes some monitoring to ensure the quality of the provision is good, such as seeking feedback from parents through the use of written parental questionnaires and she plans to regularly review contracts and children's information. A system of self-evaluation, to more closely monitor the childminder's practice is about to be implemented. The childminder understands the importance of professional development and she has

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the early years provision

identified some early years courses and workshops she would like to complete to increase her knowledge and enhance her practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good organisational skills and she uses these to ensure children's care and learning are positively supported. Resources are easily accessible to children and developmentally appropriate with the daily routine planned around children's individual needs. The childminder welcomes the children in her care and their families into her home and works hard to provide an inclusive environment. Positive relationships with parents ensure children are fully supported with effective settling-in procedures in place to help children to quickly settle in the childminding environment. Children benefit from a two-way sharing of information between the childminder and parents as information is verbally exchanged on a daily basis to ensure parents are fully informed about their children's care, progress and achievements. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude and awareness of liaising with other early years settings delivering the Early Years

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the early years provision

Foundation Stage and has developed links with the local school children in her care attend to ensure continuity in children's care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder has implemented simple observation and assessment systems which are beginning to show children's progress and achievements over time. She then uses this information to informally plan the next steps in children's learning with activities adapted to cater for individual children. Children experience a varied range of play experiences which effectively cover the six areas of learning. They enjoy their learning and participate in a mixture of adult-led and child-initiated play with the indoor and outdoor environments used to encourage and develop their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning. Regular visits to toddlers groups further promotes children's learning experiences as it enhances their opportunities to develop social skills and to become more creative and independent thinkers. The home environment is

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and outcomes for children

organised with many resources at child height and easily accessible to encourage children to make independent choices in their play.

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and outcomes for children

Children's early communication skills are promoted as the childminder supports children in their play, asking questions and engaging them in conversation, such as when they look at books and read stories together. Children have many opportunities to experience a variety of art and craft activities including play dough, painting, drawing and sticking. Their understanding of shape, colours and numbers is encouraged through activities including playing with jigsaw puzzles, shape sorters or building towers with wooden blocks. Children have access to a range of resources and activities which raise their awareness of diversity, such as multi-cultural puzzles and books. They learn about the wider world and often talk about different countries and cultures. Children learn about the local community through outings including visits to the library, parks and toddler groups.

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and outcomes for children

Good hygiene practices, including children having their own hand towels in the bathroom and appropriate nappy changing procedures, ensure the risk of cross infection is minimised and children's health is protected. Through discussion and effective support and guidance from the childminder children learn the importance of personal care routines to keep themselves healthy, such as why they must wash their hands before eating. They participate in a varied range of activities which contributes to their good health and physical fitness. They go for walks, play in the garden or visit the children's park. Children are learning that exercise can be fun and keenly participate in music and movement sessions. Children eat a variety of healthy foods and through discussion learn about the benefits of a healthy diet. The childminder has a healthy eating policy to ensure children are provided with a nutritious, balanced diet and their dietary requirements are discussed regularly

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and outcomes for children

with parents. Children are beginning to learn about the benefits of eating a healthy diet and have participated in activities, such as growing tomatoes which they then enjoyed picking and eating.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing a good understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe. When out walking they discuss road safety and know they must hold the childminder's hand or the buggy. When travelling in the childminder's car they know they must sit in the correct car seats and wear seat belts. Clear emergency evacuation procedures are in place and the childminder has plans to regularly practise these with the children to ensure they know how to stay safe in an emergency. Positive relationships between the childminder and children enable children to feel settled in the childminder's care and consequently children feel secure in their surroundings and are confident in their play. Through discussion they learn how to behave and regular praise and encouragement from the childminder develops children's self-esteem. Children are supported effectively and are encouraged to share and to take turns and are beginning to understand how

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and outcomes for children

their behaviour can have an impact on others. 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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