Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY254261 Inspection date 31/10/2011 Inspector Angela Jackson

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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 2003. She lives with her three children aged 15, 13 and 10 years old in Bricket Wood, in Hertfordshire. All areas of the childminder's house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of these, no more than three may be in the early years age group and of these no more than one may be aged under 1 year at any one time. She is currently minding three children in this age group. The childminder also offers care to children aged from five years to 11 years.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder takes children to the local toddler group and also visits the local library, park and farm. The family has three pet rabbits. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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 works closely with parents to make sure individual children's needs are effectively met. As a result, children make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder plans purposeful learning experiences so that children enjoy gaining new skills. The process of self-evaluation is generally well understood by the childminder and this means she has a good capacity for improvement. She builds on her strengths and regularly looks at ways to improve the provision further.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the use of reflective practice and self-evaluation as a basis for targeting areas for future improvement  develop further children's awareness of the cultures, traditions and beliefs of other people.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded and well protected because the childminder is knowledgeable about child protection issues. She has clear procedures in place to manage any concerns she may have about children in her care. Children are constantly supervised so that they are protected and kept safe from unsuitable This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 adults. The childminder's home has appropriate safety equipment, such as, stair gates and smoke alarms to effectively protect children. The ground floor areas where children play are comfortable and well organised. They provide large open areas of space where children can move around freely and safely. In addition, the childminder carries out risk assessments within her home and for outings. These are updated and reviewed every six months and when her daily checks identify where changes are necessary. This means that risks of injury or harm to children

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the early years provision

The childminder has a high level of understanding about the Early Years Foundation Stage and is skilled in developing children's interests. Children have easy access to a broad range of resources. Storage units are clearly labelled and attractively arranged in the children's playroom. Children confidently and independently make choices for themselves and as a result, thrive and make good progress in all areas of learning. The childminder uses her observations of children to plan a broad range of activities that are developmentally appropriate for each child. For example, during school holidays, outings are planned to places ,such as, the local natural history museum or splash park.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very aware of her strengths and builds on these well to make her provision even better. She has addressed previous recommendations well so that children have a good awareness about healthy eating. They know the names of super foods and remind each other that vegetables make them 'grow big and strong'. The childminder demonstrates good capacity for improvement, although, she lacks the training and confidence to formulate action plans for the future.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and other providers are a key strength. Parents appreciate the professional approach of the childminder and the support she gives them. They comment on her 'caring and wonderful way with babies and children of all ages'. The childminder has a good system for the two-way sharing of information between parents and other providers. She regularly texts parents and updates them with special news or information during the day.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of a variety of special educational needs and/or disabilities and fully meets the individual needs of all children. The childminder values diversity and promotes full inclusion.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure in the care of the childminder. She provides a warm and welcoming home environment in which children learn about caring for themselves and others. Children manage risks for themselves as they play imaginative games under the dining table. However, they are alert to the danger these games may pose to toddlers who they warn against climbing under the table with them. Children regularly practise emergency evacuation procedures and know what to do if the smoke alarm goes off.

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and outcomes for children

Daily walks provide children with good opportunities to learn about road safety. In This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 addition, children learn about healthy lifestyles and benefit from the fresh air and exercise the walks provide. Children often visit a local park where they run and climb and learn about the natural world. They collect interesting objects, such as, leaves for making hedgehog pictures. Children follow good hygiene routines and understand that they need to have clean hands before eating.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder plans a wide range of activities and experiences over the course of the week and regularly observes children at play. She uses her assessments to support children to develop new skills and understanding across each area of learning. As a result, children are developing good skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely good communicators and enjoy describing their feelings and experiences. For example, they use words, such as, scary and skeleton to talk about Halloween. Children also enjoy relating Halloween to their farm visit where they picked pumpkins growing in a field. This visit, like many other planned activities, provides children with opportunities to develop skills across all areas of learning. For example, the physical exercise of running and bending, picking and carrying pumpkins develops coordination and control. Children also learn about nature and how plants grow and compare size and weight of the different pumpkins.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy role play and dressing up. They put on witches costumes and uniforms for occupations, such as, fire officers and doctors. Children confidently play with toys that incorporate technology. For example, tills for the shop and an interactive classroom and alphabet game.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning to count and to use number in games. The childminder encourages children to calculate how many they need to reach the correct square on the large snakes and ladders board. On walks to and from pre-school children read the numbers on doors and cars. Children learn to share and to take turns while playing these games. They help one another and understand what is meant by being kind.

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and outcomes for children

Children on the whole respect each other's needs and care for those less able than themselves, such as, younger siblings and toddlers. The childminder gives clear explanations and sets appropriate boundaries. Children, therefore, develop good social awareness. Children participate in activities that support their understanding of their own cultures and beliefs. However, children's understanding of traditions and life in the wider world is less well developed. The childminder promotes children's understanding of difference in the local community through effective use of books and resources. 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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