Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY313388 Inspection date 22/11/2011 Inspector Lynne Talbot

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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 August 2005. She lives with her children aged 10 and seven years in a village close to Hitchin, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to provide care on each weekday during term time. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five 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 seven children attending on a part-time basis, one of whom is within the early years age range. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and pre-schools.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's individuality is recognised by the childminder, who has a good understanding of their needs and interests. She creates a suitable working relationship with parents and maintains appropriate partnerships with other settings that children attend. These steps ensure that children's needs are met and that activities offered support progress overall. The childminder takes steps to promote children's health and welfare through daily routines, generally minimising risks and safeguarding awareness. Most required documentation is maintained, although some required records are not in place and consequently some requirements are not met. The childminder adopts a positive attitude towards continued development but is yet to pursue this to enable reflection on the overall care and continued outcomes for children.

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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 safeguarding procedure includes the procedure to be followed in the event of allegations against staff members (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 12/12/2011

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further?

 keep a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, the date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation). 12/12/2011

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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  carry out regular fire drills and record any problems encountered and how they were resolved in a fire log book  gain further understanding of reflective practice in order to confidently identify aspects of the childminding service that are done well, and those aspects that might be improved, so as to continue to promote good outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is suitably promoted because the childminder has a sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has a firm understanding of her responsibilities relating to safeguarding, implementing robust procedures to protect children. However, the written policy for safeguarding does not include the procedure to follow in the event of an allegation against the childminder. This is a breach in requirements. The childminder ensures that all persons required undertake the appropriate checks to safeguard children. The childminder thoroughly assesses her premises each day, all outings undertaken, and specific activities, to minimise risks to children. However, she has no written record of the risk assessment. This is a breach in requirements. Children show a good understanding of road safety and are able to clearly explain the routines they follow to keep safe. The childminder gives consistent messages to children about

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the early years provision

safety routines, consequently extending their understanding. An emergency evacuation procedure has been developed and discussed. However, this has not been practised, with details recorded in a log, as required. This means that children are not fully familiar with the actual process. Procedures for illness and medical assistance are well planned to ensure children's safety.

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the early years provision

The childminder offers an inclusive service to children and works with parents to understand each child as an individual. She takes every opportunity to broaden children's awareness of the world around them. For example, children are helped to research answers to their questions using the internet. They discuss things that interest them and they share events and the ethnicity of each other and their families. Procedures to support the relationship with parents are good, welfare and development is shared with parents each day in discussion. Notice boards inform parents and policies are clear. While there is a clear procedure shared with parents for making a complaint, this procedure is not in the form of a written statement as required by the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder has established a relationship with settings that children attend and maintains broad sharing of developmental achievements. The childminder does not

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the early years provision

currently care for any children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, she has a clear understanding of the importance of working with other professionals to provide a good level of support for such children when the need arises. The childminder has completed the required training and also a play day focused on inclusive play since her last inspection. She seeks informal feedback from parents to ensure that her care is having a positive impact on outcomes for children. Improvements have been made and a clear capacity to continue making changes is demonstrated. However, reflective practice is not yet demonstrated to form the basis of internal review to focus areas for development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children achieve and make good progress in their learning overall because their specific needs are met within this environment.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements to offer experiences to meet children's individual needs. When planning activities to help them to take the next steps in their learning, she successfully integrates her knowledge of their abilities, their interests and activities undertaken during previous days of care. Children are confident and enjoy the time spent with the childminder. They make good progress in their development because the childminder is skilled in supporting their learning based on their interests. They choose what they would like to play with from a range of accessible resources. Children manipulate and build with blocks and construction. They share their detailed structures and make things for each other. Mark making is explored using both electronic boards and sketching pads, and they use art and creative works freely. Older children begin to take responsibilities, such as recording

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and outcomes for children

attendances and helping younger children with their coats and shoes.

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and outcomes for children

Children are physically active, promoting their good health. They play outdoors using the trampoline and in the playhouse. Children receive support to ensure that they understand road safety and discuss this each day when going to and from school. They explain in detail how they need to walk on paths and stay close to the childminder in case they get lost, and know that safe road crossing is to prevent injury from vehicles on the road. Their awareness of the reasons for personal safety is clearly well developed. While no meals or snacks are provided for younger children due to the hours of care, the children are developing a robust knowledge of personal health and hygiene. Children take part in planting potatoes in a raised bed and blueberry bushes in the garden, harvesting the foods to eat. Children meet their own physical care needs to maintain good hygiene. They take part in recycling materials into containers to begin learning about the environment.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder offers a continuous commentary on the daily routine, including teaching about colours, numbers and shapes as the children play with toys of their choosing. They discuss things that they see in the day, such as the milk delivered by the milkman and other sources from where they may purchase milk. An emphasis is given to supporting children's personal, social and emotional development to give them a confident base from which to develop. Children are seen to negotiate with each other, showing good social awareness. Children's views are sought to decide on future activities, for example, they plan together for activities later in the week. Children are clearly learning the social skills necessary for them to play a full and active role within group situations. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure as they confidently play together. They respond to familiar and understood boundaries in the home using house rules. They are

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and outcomes for children

encouraged to listen to each other's opinions when disagreements occur and the childminder intervenes where needed to promote an agreeable outcome for all. Children are clearly helped to develop the habits and attitudes that will help them to develop skills for the future. 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 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 provide a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints which relate to the requirements of the Childcare Register and which a parent makes in writing or by email (Procedures for dealing with complaints) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 12/12/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Procedures for dealing with complaints). 12/12/2011

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