Childminder, Out-of school day care in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY366905 Inspection date 21/10/2011 Inspector Anne Sheldon

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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 has been registered since 2007. She lives with her husband and three children aged 17, 15 and 10 years in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes 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 to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently minding four children in the early years age range, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care before and after school.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local parents and toddler groups She is a member of the National Childminder Association and belongs to a local childminding network.

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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

Children's welfare is generally well promoted and they are kept safe by the childminder who is aware of her responsibilities, although, some required documentation is not always completed accordingly. Children are happy, settled and confident and are making progress overall in their learning and development. Partnerships with parents are highly valued by the childminder. This, together with the excellent relationships she has established and maintained with other local settings the children attend, supports their progression. The childminder adopts an enthusiastic, professional approach to her work and is self-reflective in her practice. However, there is room to strengthen self-evaluation so that continuous improvement can be made.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure that the risk assessment is reviewed at least once a year or more frequently where the need arises and that it includes records of when the check was carried out and by whom (Premises, environment and equipment). 04/11/2011

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  use a system to verify the identity of any visitors  extend the opportunities for children's learning by enhancing and developing children's learning opportunities and ensuring it is progressive for the more able children  use the self-evaluation process to continue to assess what the setting offers, against robust and challenging quality criteria.

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the early years provision

The childminder understands her roles and responsibilities in terms of safeguarding. She knows how to identify signs and symptoms of abuse and the appropriate channels for reporting concerns. All eligible members of her household hold Criminal Records Bureau checks, ensuring that they are safe to have contact with children. She has recently updated her safeguarding training. Policies and procedures are in place to support practice, although, the requirement regarding annual risk assessment of the environment has not been met. However, daily checks of the environment are carried out to ensure that any hazards are identified and risks minimised. This means that children can move about the environment safely. There is no system in place for checking visitor's identification or recording their details.

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the early years provision

Since the last inspection the childminder has attained a recognised qualification in Early Years practice and has attended updates and other training to ensure she keeps her knowledge current. The environment is bright, airy and spacious indoors. Excellent hygiene practices ensure that the environment is spotless. Children also have access to a secure garden, well equipped with challenging outdoor equipment. Resources indoors are stored in clear containers so children can make informed choices and build independence. A varied range of equipment and resources meets the needs of the wide age range of children and supports their development in all six learning areas.

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the early years provision

The childminder regularly reviews her practice and reflects on ways to make improvements, but does not always evaluate her practices against sufficiently robust and challenging criteria. She responded to recommendations made at the last inspection, demonstrating her commitment to driving forward improvement.

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the early years provision

Partnership with parents is given a high priority. Parents are regularly informed and updated on their children's progress so they can be fully involved in their learning and development. She encourages them to share information about their starting points and the progress children are making at home. Partnership with other providers and professionals involved with children is excellent and supports children's transitions to other settings effectively. Children's learning journals are shared as are observations and the childminder mirrors topics that the schools are covering in her planned activities for children.

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the early years provision

An effective equal opportunities policy is regularly reviewed and supports practice. Children's understanding of diversity and difference is promoted through activities, such as, art and craft and the use of a good range of visual aids. The individual This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 needs of older and younger children are met, however, activities are not always sufficiently challenging for more able children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident, settled and happy in this welcoming, homely and well organised environment. The childminder has a thorough knowledge of Early Years Foundation Stage and uses her skills well overall to ensure children's progression from their starting points. There are times, however, when opportunities are lost to develop children's thinking and reasoning whilst they play through questioning and discussion. For example, when playing a picnic game the opportunity to discuss healthy foods is not maximised. An excellent range of puzzles are well used by more able children to problem solve. Opportunities are maximised to count objects whilst they play and children are developing skills in problem solving and numeracy as a result. A comprehensive system of observation and assessment includes daily diaries that are shared with parents, regular observation that includes identification of next steps and good use of photos and videos to capture children's progress.

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and outcomes for children

Planning is sufficiently detailed and covers all six learning areas, however, the balance between planned and unplanned activities does not always support children who are attending regularly.

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and outcomes for children

Systems to safeguard children work generally well. Children are taught how to keep themselves safe through discussion and they understand the clear age appropriate boundaries that are set. Behaviour is good as the childminder gives clear explanations and children know the daily routine and what is expected of them. Sharing and turn taking is encouraged and older children act as good role models.

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and outcomes for children

Children are offered healthy choices at snack times, such as, fruit, crackers and water. Children's dietary needs and allergies are respected. Hand washing routines are well established and the childminder takes effective measures to minimise the risk of infection and the spread of disease. Daily walks, regular outings to local farms and parks, together with use of the outdoor play area, provide varied opportunities for children to engage in active physical play, develop their gross motor skills and to enjoy fresh air. 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 1 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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