Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY294022 Inspection date 01/11/2011 Inspector Janice Weller

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband, one adult child and one child aged 13 years, in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet fish.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding six children, all of whom, attend on a part-time basis.The childminder is registered on the Early Year Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently minding six children, of whom, four are in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates genuine dedication to her role and enthusiastically embraces the Early Years Foundation Stage. Her experience and substantial training enables her to offer an excellent standard of care and education to the children. Children clearly thrive and make rapid progress in a well organised, domestic environment. The childminder meets the needs of the children and ensures that they participate in all activities in a fully inclusive way. She is committed and passionate about reflective practice and demonstrates an outstanding ability to identify strengths and weakness. This enables her to continuously enhance the daily care and learning experiences of children in her care.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 continue to develop the outdoor area to provide for all six areas of learning.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of her responsibilities to safeguard children in her care. The childminder keeps her knowledge up-to-date by refreshing her training through text and email alerts from her Local Safeguarding Board. All adults in the home have had a Criminal Records Bureau check to ensure they are suitable to be around children. The childminder's home is maintained to high levels of safety in all areas and she encourages the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children to manage their own risk. This is demonstrated when she has fire evacuations. Children have learnt why and when they need to evacuate and this is enforced with discussion when they receive their certificates. The childminder has extensive risk assessments and these are completed daily before children arrive at the provision. The childminder is able to demonstrate, through discussion, how she

p.4

the early years provision

maintains safety for children whilst on outings and risk assessments are in place for individual outings.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder maintains her first aid training and has recently completed a course. This enables her to protect and care for children in the event of an accident. The childminders home is organised in such a way to enhance all aspects of children's learning and development. She meets their individual needs by keeping parents exceptionally well informed about the children's day and has developed an information slip that advises them of their children's routines, as well as what they have eaten at snack and meal times.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has an extensively wide range of resources that are age appropriate and promote images of equality and diversity. She has an extremely confident and self-assured attitude and approach to improving the service offered. The childminder has completed an analysis to help evaluate and inform her service delivery enabling her to recognise her strengths and areas of development.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder gives the highest priority to establishing and continually maintains excellent relationships with all parents. They receive information of a very good quality and meticulous attention is given to ensuring they are kept fully informed of their children's care and learning. Through the children's 'Learning Journey' files, parents have the opportunity to share their opinions of the service and their comments are highly complementary. The childminder has strongly established links with other provider's. This enables her to share information effectively and complement children's learning, ensuring continuity.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder has an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She understands the importance of establishing the children's staring points in their learning, through observations and close working partnerships with parents. The childminder meticulously plans activities and these are tailored to the children's individual needs but can be flexible when responding to meeting any changes of interest. Her highly effective systems in place, monitor and assess the children's progress. Individual learning journey folders show the children's extensive artwork and photographs of them at play indoors and outdoors are shared with parents. These are building a highly comprehensive picture of the children's time in the childminders care. The childminder works with parents to complete their learning journeys. This allows the childminder to have a clear understanding on how to support the individual child and enables the parents to

p.5

and outcomes for children

also reinforce their child's learning at home. The childminder has individual planning and observational recordings that enable her to respond to the children's next steps. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children's problem solving and reasoning skills are promoted as they are inspired to count through rhymes, storytelling and using jigsaw puzzles. Children have the opportunity to play in a rich, varied and imaginative environment. Children make rapid progress and develop very valuable skills for the future. For example, the younger children wait in anticipation as the childminder helps them open the story box she has created and reveals what's inside. The children are captivated as she reads to them in the 'den' and she reads with such expression, they can hardly contain their excitement as 'Boris' speaks to them. The childminder has a passion for books and it is clear that the children share the experience with her.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is exemplary and they demonstrate that they know when to say please and thank you. The childminder discusses with the children about the park trip and why she likes the children to walk to venues. She talks about safety and why they wear florescent wristbands. The childminder provides a first class range of home-cooked, healthy and nutritious meals and snacks, which effectively promote children's growth and development. The childminder is well-organised in meeting the needs of individual children's dietary requirements. Children have access to water at all times throughout the day, ensuring they do not become thirsty. The childminder promotes good hygiene practices. Children have access to individual hand towels minimising the risk of cross-infection. The childminder ensures that children's physical development is promoted effectively as they play in the garden, visit local parks and places of interest, where they use large

p.6

and outcomes for children

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

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8