Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY420758 Inspection date 09/11/2011 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 February 2011. She lives with her partner and two children aged two years and four years old. The property is situated in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire and is close to shops, parks and schools. All areas of the premises are included in the registration except for the garden. The childminder ensures children experience regular visits to a nearby park 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 four children under eight years at any one time, with no more than one child in the early years age group, including one child under the age of one year. The childminder is currently caring for two children, both of whom are in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

Overnight care is not included in the registration. The family have a dog, a rabbit and a small tank of fish 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 and the childminder works in close partnership with parents to ensure children's individual needs are met. Children share warm, friendly relationships with the childminder and are happy and secure in her care. She has high regard for the well-being of children and has effective systems in place to ensure they are safeguarded and their welfare is protected. Children are making good progress in their learning as activities and play experiences are tailored to the developmental needs of individual children. Some processes for monitoring the quality of the provision are in place and a system of self-evaluation, to ensure continuous improvement is in the early stages of development.

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further?

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

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further?

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

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of child protection and how to protect children from harm. She has a safeguarding policy in place and all household members have had relevant This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 background checks completed. Children are cared for in a safe and secure home where the childminder takes positive steps to keep children safe. She ensures children are closely supervised at all times and written risk assessments and ongoing visual assessments ensure the environment remains safe and children are protected. Documentation for the safe and efficient management of the setting and to promote children's well-being is in place and well-organised.

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the early years provision

The childminder has worked hard to ensure she provides a quality service. She 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 having systems in place to ensure she regularly reviews and updates children's records. She also has plans to seek feedback from parents through the use of written parental questionnaires. A system of self-evaluation to more closely monitor her practice has very recently been introduced and this is still in the early stages of development. The childminder understands the importance of continuous professional development. She achieves this through networking with other childminders and through training and has attended some early years workshops and has identified further training to increase her knowledge and enhance her practice.

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the early years provision

Children's care and learning are positively supported by a childminder who has good organisational skills. Resources are accessible and developmentally appropriate with the daily routine planned around the needs of individual children. She welcomes the children into her home and purposeful relationships between the childminder and parents ensure they are fully supported. Useful information is gathered from parents at the initial visit and effective ongoing communication between the childminder and parents enables the childminder to plan and provide an inclusive and enabling environment that meets each child's needs. Effective settling-in procedures enable children to quickly settle and develop a strong sense of belonging. The childminder works in partnership with others. She has developed links with a children's centre and attends a childminding group. She shows a positive attitude and awareness of liaising with other early years settings delivering

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the early years provision

the Early Years Foundation Stage 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 observation and assessment systems which 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 children's individual learning needs. Children experience a varied range of play experiences which effectively cover the six areas of learning. They participate in a mixture of adult-led and child-initiated play with the indoor and outdoor environments used to promote their play and learning. Regular visits to toddler groups enhance children's opportunities to develop social skills and to become creative and independent thinkers. Their independence is promoted with the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 home environment organised with many resources at child height and easily

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and outcomes for children

accessible. Children confidently make choices in their play and engage in activities, seeking out their favourite toys to play with.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children in their play, asking questions and engaging them in conversation. Children enjoy selecting and handling books and regular story times support children's early communication skills. Story sacks are also used to stimulate communication. Children's creative skills are encouraged and they have regular opportunities to experience a variety of art and craft activities, including painting, drawing, play dough, colouring and cutting and sticking. Children participate in activities and games which incorporate the use of colours and shapes, such as playing with shape sorters or jigsaw puzzles. They enjoy threading games and concentrate hard when trying to thread buttons onto coloured laces. Children learn about the local community through regular outings, including visits to the park and to toddler groups. They learn about the environment as they go for regular walks and talk about the weather and changing

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and outcomes for children

Effective strategies are implemented by the childminder to promote children's health and to 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 are learning how to stay healthy. They discuss the pictures on a poster displayed near the bathroom which reminds children of the importance of washing their hands after visiting the toilet and before eating. Children participate in a varied range of activities which positively contribute to their good health and physical fitness. They spend time in the fresh air on a daily basis and are learning that exercise can be fun as they enjoy going for walks and have regular visits to children's parks. The childminder works hard to ensure children receive a healthy, balanced diet. Their dietary requirements are regularly discussed with parents to ensure individual dietary needs are catered for appropriately.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing an understanding of healthy eating as they discuss the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables.

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and outcomes for children

Children's safety is protected and they are developing a good understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe. When out walking, they discuss road safety and enjoy taking it in turns to press the button for the lights at the crossing. Positive relationships between the childminder and children enable them to feel settled in her care. Consequently, children feel secure in their surroundings and are confident in their play. Through discussion, children learn how to behave and regular praise and encouragement from the childminder develops their self- esteem. Children are supported effectively and are encouraged to share and to take turns and are beginning to understand how 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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