Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY346735 Inspection date 10/11/2011 Inspector Susan Marriott

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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 2007 and holds a relevant childcare qualification. She lives with her husband in a house in the Bennetts End district of Hemel Hempstead. The whole of the ground floor and the upstairs bathroom 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. The family has no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently five 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 10 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. 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 outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has recently gained a childcare qualification and has successfully developed an exceptionally high quality of care and education for children in this friendly, welcoming and homely setting. A key strength is the extensive range of stimulating external activities offered by the childminder. She successfully meets the differing needs of children, promoting children's rapid progress towards the early learning goals and ensuring that they are able to participate in all activities in a fully inclusive way. Partnership working is good. She is passionate about her role and demonstrates an outstanding ability to identify areas for development, enabling the continuous enhancement of daily care and learning experiences for children.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 developing the sharing of relevant information where children receive care and education in more than one setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes excellent use of her skills gained from her attendance at a multitude of training courses to offer an excellent standard of care and education This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to the children. Children clearly feel secure and settled within this extremely well- organised environment, supported by detailed documentation. The childminder demonstrates a robust understanding of the procedures regarding the safeguarding of children because she has practical experience of implementing these. She shows a very high level of commitment to promoting children's safety. The childminder and her husband have been checked by the Criminal Records Bureau and deemed suitable to be in regular contact with children. There is a very clear complaints procedure and thorough risk assessments are in place for the home, garden and outings. Domestic safety measures are in place and fire

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the early years provision

evacuation plans are practised monthly with the children. The identity of visitors is always checked and a record of visitors is kept. Consequently, dangers are substantially minimised and children's safety is fully secured.

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the early years provision

The childminder is demonstrably enthusiastic about her work and is highly motivated to make changes that drive improvement and improve the outcomes for children. For example, her self-evaluation underlines her personal ambition to do as many courses as she possibly can, which will ensure that she is constantly improving her knowledge and skills. At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to make several improvements to her practice and her actions have had a most positive impact upon the quality of provision. She has given greater emphasis to promoting the good health of children by developing their knowledge and understanding of healthy eating and healthy living. She has removed the greenhouse to make the end of the garden safe for children and has relocated the recycling boxes to the front of the house. The childminder has written down her complaints policy and procedure for parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed partnership working with others sharing the care and education of the children. For example, she speaks to staff at the school nursery about children's welfare and development, but she is keen to develop this aspect of her provision further. A very strong commitment is shown to inclusive practice and the childminder's planning takes account of a wide range of festivals and special events. Children are helped to understand differences in the society they live in because the childminder promotes learning about multicultural traditions, foods and religions to all children and their parents. Photographs show the children involved in 'Pumpkin face making' for Halloween and enjoying the 'Spooky Halloween Maze' at Mead Open Farm.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established outstanding partnerships with parents and carers. Robust documentation, policies and procedures ensure a positive start to the contract and the childminder keeps parents and carers well-informed of their children's welfare and learning progress, through daily diaries and regular discussions. Parents write complimentary references, stating 'we are delighted with the care that the childminder has provided and feel very confident leaving our child with her'. Parents confirm that children's needs are attended to effectively and that they are always clean and well fed. Parents value the monthly newsletters which keep them informed about the themes or activities that have been planned. Parents comment that the childminder has 'a keen and happy nature which makes her very approachable'. They commend the many external activities provided and praise the childminder's 'natural flair with children' which makes her 'warm, friendly

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the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and very approachable'.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder believes fun and praise are the keys to achievement. Children are looked after by the childminder in an extremely safe, secure environment where they have room to develop their independence and knowledge in all six areas of learning through excellent planned experiences and purposeful play. This is a warm and welcoming, 'home from home' environment where the childminder talks continually with the children, totally devoting her time and attention to them. Time spent interacting with and supporting children's play enables her to observe their abilities and assess the stage that they have reached in their development. She is then able to plan activities that will encourage their progress by building on what they already know and can do.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder talks about everything that she is doing, providing children with an excellent model for language development. Resulting from attending training entitled 'Every Child a Talker', the childminder has gained great success and satisfaction from helping children with speech and language issues. For example, she uses 'voice buttons' to record the details on the weather chart, so children can listen to the day, date and month and weather today whenever they want to. Lovely music plays in the background because the childminder makes excellent use of a radio channel dedicated to playing a selection of stories, songs, and rhymes specially chosen for very young children. She sings along and babies respond warmly to her as she lifts them into the high chair for their healthy snack of toast and fruit.

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and outcomes for children

Children are valued, included and feel a strong sense of belonging because the childminder treats them as part of her family and forms affectionate and trusting relationships with them. Their efforts and achievements are recognised and praised at all times and throughout their daily routine they are able to make choices and take decisions. For example, they choose what they like to eat for snack, what toys they want to play with and where they want to push the brick trolley. Consequently, they are developing self-esteem and confidence. Children are polite and respond well to high expectations for their behaviour. Every time a child achieves something the childminder rewards them with a sticker or a certificate, so that they know how well they have done. Every child is given praise for every positive act they do and the childminder believes that this makes them good achievers. For example, children grin broadly with self-pride as they push a

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and outcomes for children

trolley of bricks into the kitchen. Children benefit from varied activities and resources which help them value diversity. For example, they develop an understanding about festivals, such as, Divali, Hanukah and Eid through art activities and books, dolls and dressing up resources, which help them to develop a positive awareness of the differences and similarities between people.

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and outcomes for children

Every child receives strong encouragement to develop and learn new skills. Their physical coordination skills develop as they thread cotton reels and make rubbings This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of tree bark. They develop social skills and develop their interests because they regularly meet other children at the childminder's home, at toddler groups and outside venues. The childminder plans all of her weekly activities and outings around her observations of children's individual play and learning. A portfolio of pictures, demonstrates the extensive range of external activities offered. For example, children have the chance to groom a pony and visit Ashridge Park to use an aerial swing. They go fossil hunting in a sand pit at Tring Natural History museum and enjoy fishing in the canal. Children experience a truffle hunt at Whipsnade Zoo and celebrate a famous author's birthday as they become 'oompa

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and outcomes for children

loompas' and paint fantastic fox pictures. Children investigate and experiment through fun activities, such as,'bubble wrap popping' and become familiar with information technology whilst playing an autumn game on a children's website. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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