Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY414628 Inspection date 03/11/2011 Inspector Joy O'Neill

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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 registered in 2010. She lives in Garston on the outskirts of Watford, with her husband and three children aged seven, five and two years. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with limited access upstairs. There is a downstairs cloakroom. The loft extension is not included, the steps are gated. There is a secure garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, no more than one of which may be in the early years age range. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is also registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder collects children from local schools and goes to several toddler groups. 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 needs of all children are routinely met through the childminder recognising the uniqueness of each child. The promotion of welfare of children is good; however documentation needs to be consistently maintained. All children make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder works effectively with parents and carers. Partnerships in the wider context are used to promote satisfactory quality education and care. Self-evaluation is effective and parents are involved in this process. Plans for the future are well-targeted to bring about further improvement to the provision and the 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?

 keep an accurate daily record of the names of children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance (Documentation). 17/12/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 increase opportunities for children to gradually gain greater independence in their learning. 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. However, the attendance register was incorrect on the day of inspection, this is a breach of requirements but overall was correct therefore having little impact on 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 environment is warm and welcoming. 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 kitchen to a selection of toys in the playroom. This promotes children's learning through free choice. Children are helped through play and discussion to understand the differences in the society they live in. Self-evaluation takes into account the views of 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.

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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. The childminder currently has limited opportunities to develop partnerships, with other settings, but is aware of their importance in the future.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has an understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses this well to support children in their learning. Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals because the childminder observes their progress and often uses observations to inform future planning and identify their next steps in learning. All activities are individually planned which ensures that all children achieve and progress at their own level. Children are making good progress in relation to their starting points. Children are observed playing with stacking cups and attempting to stack them in size order. The childminder had carefully selected this challenging but age appropriate activity after evaluating children's current development. Planning covers all areas of learning and provides an appropriate challenge for all children. The childminder devises a broad range of activities and plans in advance using a variety of themes, however, she approaches

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and outcomes for children

each day in a flexible way and follows the needs of the children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 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 because the childminder gives good guidance. Children stay healthy because they eat well-balanced snacks and meals. Individual needs are fully catered for as the childminder communicates with parents. Children are able to participate fully in all activities, with guidance when required. They are developing good personal hygiene skills as they wash or wipe their hands to prevent cross-infection. Children regularly have fresh air as they freely access the garden for outdoor play in the spring and summer. All year round they go for regular walks to the park and spend days out. They also attend three community

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and outcomes for children

play sessions a week. This offers a wide range of activities both indoors and outdoors which helps to develop their larger muscles. 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

The quality of the learning environment both indoors and outside is good. Regular trips are made to local farms, zoos and local parks to learn about the wider world and local community. During the summer the garden is used regularly under the supervision of the childminder. The childminder provides regular art, craft and cookery activities, the results of which are then shared with the parents. Children are observed sticking leaves and painting using lots of blue paint. The childminder provided support and encouragement, however, at times children could be more independent for example, dispensing own glue. Children enjoy books and look at them independently and when read to. Children learn about technology and useful skills for the future through a wide variety of electronic toys and equipment such as tape recorders. Consequently, children are making good steady progress in all areas of their learning.

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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. 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 and days out. Festivals from around the world are routinely planned in and children make a variety of art and craft projects through festivals such as Chinese New Year, Halloween and Bonfire Night. This enables children to develop good skills for the future. At present the setting has no children with special educational needs and/or disabilities or English as an additional language but children starting in the setting would be welcomed and provided for. 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 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 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: 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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