Childminder, Out-of school day care in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY425652 Inspection date 24/11/2011 Inspector Maura Pigram

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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 2011. She lives with her husband and children aged 10 and twins aged seven years old in Berkhamstead, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor is used which includes a cloakroom and a bedroom is available upstairs for sleep and rest. 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.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four 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. 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 and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is well organised and knows each child well. Children are highly valued and have warm, secure relationships with the childminder, so that they make good progress in their learning and development. She works very closely with parents and they share valuable information that promotes children's welfare. Most documentation is in place and very well maintained. The self-evaluation process is in the early stages of development and some areas to develop have been identified. Although, views of parents and children are welcome, they are not yet included in the process.

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further?

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

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further?

 update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips  improve reflective practice and self-evaluation, so that the views of children and that of their parents and carers are fully included and use this to further identify strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all 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 has a good understanding of safeguarding issues, which promotes children's welfare. Clear safeguarding policies are in place along with supporting documentation. Parents are made aware of her role in child protection before they place their children in her care through discussion and receiving copies of her mostly detailed policies and procedures. All information regarding children's individual needs is gathered before children start. Parents are kept informed about their child's day and progress through detailed learning journals, the use of a care diary and verbal discussions. This means that there is a good continuity of care between the childminder and children's parents. The childminder is aware of the need to liaise with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage where children may attend.

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the early years provision

The resources and premises are safe and she has carried out a full risk assessment of the home and garden. She takes positive steps to keep children safe on outings and risks assesses each venue prior to visiting them. However, an oversight has meant these are yet to be included in her written records. The childminder effectively manages her time, so that children enjoy a worthwhile range of experiences that purposefully supports their learning. She attends regular training that helps her develop ideas to support children, such as language development. She has a good understanding of how to promote equality of opportunity through the provision of resources and purposeful activities. She is aware of taking positive steps to close any potential achievement gaps, such as focusing on children's interests to promote their learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has worked hard to incorporate the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage into the day to day care of children. She reflects on her practice and has identified some aspects to develop, such as developing her knowledge on children's language and communication development and steps that she can take to promote this. She is yet to include the views of parents and children in the self-evaluation process.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder understands that each child is unique and works hard to ensure that all children's individual welfare and learning needs are effectively met. As a result, they make good progress in their learning development and children's welfare is promoted well. The childminder has worked hard to secure a knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Useful observations and assessment are carried out and she is very aware of each child's next steps in their learning and development. The children enjoy an extremely strong sense of belonging and security with the childminder, who is very attentive to all their needs. She manages children's behaviour extremely well in a manner that is appropriate to each child's stage of development. She takes effective steps to ensure children, especially This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 toddlers understand the need to be kind to each other. When teaching children

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and outcomes for children

right from wrong, she is sensitive to children's feelings and consistently turns negative situations into positive experiences with kindness and laughter. The children respond well to the childminder and are developing sound skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children freely choose from a good range of toys and resources, which are well maintained and support their learning and development. The childminder regularly sings number songs and rhymes and counts items during younger children's play. This promotes their early mathematical skills. In addition, they regularly attend a music group where they enjoy socialising with similar aged children. She supports early language development very well by talking to the children about what they are doing and by repeating what they say using the correct language and grammar. Stories and library visits encourage a love of books. Younger children enjoy snuggling up to the childminder to enjoy the sharing of books. Resources to promote early mark making, drawing and writing are easily available. Children's understanding of the wider world is promoted through jigsaw puzzles, books, imaginative play and outings. Recently, they enjoyed visiting a museum where

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and outcomes for children

they enjoyed using sensory play to discover animals covered in sand. The childminder extended the children's learning by introducing books and jigsaw puzzles associated with the animals seen at the museum.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is enhanced because positive steps are taken by the childminder to promote children's good health. For example, they enjoy a balanced menu of healthy snacks and home-cooked meals while in the childminder's care. Garden play and regular visits to parks promotes children's physical development and contributes effectively to children's good health. Walking to and from age- appropriate groups and stories about safety, children have the opportunity to learn about how to keep themselves safe. 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 1 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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