Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY330193 Inspection date 29/09/2011 Inspector Suman Willis

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2005. She lives with her partner and two children aged six and three years, in Baldock, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. Children have access to the fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. A maximum of four children under eight years may attend at any one time. There are currently six children on roll, two of whom are in the early years age range, one under eight and three children are over the age of eight. The family have one cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder works closely with the local childminding groups. She visits local childminder and toddler groups and is able to take and collect children to and from local schools and pre-schools. Children are taken on outings.

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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 are making good progress in their learning and development. The strong links formed between the childminder and parents and carers ensures that children's individual care and learning needs are fully met. The organisation of the childminding is good, overall. The childminder values comments from parents, carers and children and mostly involves them well in evaluating her practice. This enables the childminder to make continuous improvements to the quality of the provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 consistently maintain a daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance (Documentation) 13/10/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 develop procedures to further involve all parents in the self-evaluation process to improve outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of safeguarding procedures and has a clear policy and procedure in place to protect children. She is familiar with the local authority's policy and procedure and knows what to do should she have any concerns. The childminder has an attendance register and on very rare occasions the children's hours of attendance are inconsistently recorded. Consequently, on these rare occasions the childminder does not meet the legal requirement fully and is not able to fully demonstrate the generally good practices that she has in place to protect children. Clear risk assessments are effectively used to minimise risks in the house and on outings. Fire drills are practised frequently to ensure children are familiar with the procedure. Therefore, children can explore and learn safely.

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the early years provision

The childminder is knowledgeable about the Early Year's Foundation Stage and uses this well to support children in their learning. The environment is warm and welcoming, with many good displays of posters and children's artwork. Children have easy access to a broad range of good quality resources, both indoors and outdoors. For example, children move freely between colouring and drawing in the playroom to water play in the garden, therefore promoting their learning through free choice. Self-evaluation takes into account the views of most parents, carers and children. This enables the childminder to identify any strengths and weaknesses and implement changes that enable her to raise children's achievements. However, as the information is sought informally, not all are fully involved, therefore, the improvements may not always be fully effective in enhancing all children's care and learning. The childminder continues to improve

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the early years provision

her practice and has implemented the recommendations from the last inspection. For example, the first aid certificate is up-to-date and clearly displayed. This supports her commitment to improve the quality of provision for all children

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the early years provision

Relationships between the childminder and parents are good. The childminder is provided with valuable information about the children when they start. Information about the children's starting points and the progress they are making is shared through the daily diary and the children's journals. This means that parents become involved in their children's learning and children are fully supported in their progress towards the early learning goals. Therefore, the childminder is effective in meeting the individual needs of all children and they are fully included into the setting. Relationships with other professionals involved with the children contribute well in supporting children's welfare and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are secure and develop a good sense of belonging in the setting because the childminder provides a clear routine that children are familiar with. They learn and explore safely under the skilful eye of the childminder who gives good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 guidance, such as how to safely get down from a chair and how to play with water. Children stay healthy because they eat well-balanced snacks and meals. Individual needs are fully catered for as the childminder draws up a weekly menu plan, which is shared with parents. Children independently quench their own thirsts as they help themselves to drinks. All documents are appropriately used to promote children's health. This means that children are able to participate fully in all activities. They are developing good personal hygiene skills as they use disposable paper towels and wet tissues, preventing cross-infection. Children

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and outcomes for children

regularly have fresh air as they freely access the garden for outdoor play. They go for regular walks to the park and schools. They competently manoeuvre ride-on toys, both indoors and outdoors, which helps to develop their large motor skills. Children routinely use paintbrushes, pencils, crayons and scissors to develop their early writing and small manipulative skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals because the childminder provides them with a good balance of child and adult-led activities. All activities are individually planned, which ensures that all children achieve and progress at their own level. Children enjoy books and look at them independently and when read to; they cuddle up to the childminder as she reads to them. Toddlers enjoy feeling different textures and turning pages as they look at a touchy-feely book. Children learn shapes and colours routinely in activities, such as sticking. They are engrossed in role play as they recreate the adult world when playing with play people. Children learn about technology during cooking activities and through their pretend play as they use play cookers and electronic toys. They concentrate well as they play with the water and learn about volume as they fill little plastic animals and squeeze out the water.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave very well because the childminder provides a very calm and caring environment. They all learn to share and take turns as they play happily together. Children are encouraged to apologise and happily cuddle each other as they say 'sorry'. This helps them to develop a respect for themselves and others. Children are developing a very good understanding of emotions, other cultures and beliefs through various activities. Their interest is fully sustained during a sticking activity where they use cut-out body shapes and dress them, creating a picture of a person. Children independently select the colour of the person and whether they want a happy or sad face. Festivals from around the world are routinely planned and children make Native American Pendants and Chinese Dragons. The wide range of activities and experiences offered to children help them develop good 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 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: 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

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept) 13/10/2011

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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 in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept) 13/10/2011

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