Childminder in HertfordshireOfsted inspection, 22 Feb 2012

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY362286 Inspection date 22/02/2012 Inspector Tina Kelly

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and children aged nine and five years in Croxley Green on the outskirts of Watford, Hertfordshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Children do not generally access upstairs other than to sleep, and there is a downstairs cloakroom. The family have a hamster.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group on a part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder holds a level 3 qualification and 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

Young children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care. She uses most of the detail gained through observations and assessments effectively to show children are making good progress. Parents are kept well informed of their children's personal care routines and the activities they have enjoyed. The documentation required for the well-being of the children and the smooth running of the setting is in place. The childminder evaluates her practice and is committed to improving and developing the service that she provides to the children in her care.

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further?

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

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further?

 review planning for the children's next steps to ensure they are linked to their existing talents.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder is clear about her responsibilities to provide a safe environment and appropriate background checks have been carried out on all members of the household. The childminder has consistently updated her safeguarding and first aid training throughout her registration. Information and leaflets provided by the Local Safeguarding Children Board are on display and available in the parent policy pack. Risk assessments are established, reflect the ages of the children cared for and take account of all areas This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 that the children have access to. The process is effective in identifying and minimising risks to children in the home, the garden and on outings. The childminder provides a range of good quality toys and resources which are readily available in the playroom. They are age appropriate and linked to the interests of

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the early years provision

The childminder has established good relationships with families and uses photographs to share the day-to-day experiences and special moments with parents in the children's daily diaries. There is an effective process in place to share information about the children's personal care and aspects of the day they have enjoyed. Parents are encouraged to use the compliments book to share views, and these are used as evidence for the evaluation process. The childminder is aware of the importance of developing contacts with other early years settings the children attend. She is keen to make links to enable her to support children learning while they are in her in her care. The childminder has not yet cared for children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, she has a very clear understanding of the importance of working with parents to ensure all aspects of their home life and the children's individual needs are respected and

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the early years provision

The childminder has experience of working in daycare settings, which she uses to provide a well-organised and interesting experience for the children in her care. She is aware of the value of an effective process to enable her to identify areas of her practice that work well and areas to be further developed. She has started to review her practice in line with the Ofsted self-evaluation document. The childminder is aware of the support services provided by the local Sure Start centre and the Early Years Partnership and is keen to improve her practice and outcomes for children of all ages.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides an interesting range of resources, activities and outings for children in her care. Photographs show that they enjoy a variety of experiences, both in the home and out in the community. The childminder has a thorough settling-in process and spends time with parents to establish the children's individual learning and care needs. She has established an effective process to use observations and plan for children's future learning in their learning journals and daily diaries. She uses most of the information effectively to plan for future activities. However, planning for the children's next steps is not fully effective as they are not linked to the children's individual progress and personal skills and talents. Children play well together and they cooperate as they take turns with puzzles and construction blocks. Young children are encouraged to extend their own play ideas with good verbal and practical support by the

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and outcomes for children

childminder. They show and extremely strong sense of security and belonging. They are confident and are developing excellent relationships with adults and the other children in the household. They are beginning to show excellent negotiation and cooperative skills as they receive consistent and caring support from the childminder. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Equality and diversity are promoted through a range of resources and events planned throughout the year. Resources are sought to reflect different cultures and family settings and are incorporated in the play with sensitive interaction by the childminder. Children are well supported in making sense of new experiences as they are taken to toddler groups to provide new activities and to meet other children. The resources and activities are adapted to meet the needs of the all children.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is promoted through everyday routines. They are very familiar with the mid-morning snack as they sit at the low-level table and talk about their favourite fruit. The childminder has a sample menu that is shared with parents and shows that she provides healthy and nutritious meals and snacks for children of all ages. Outings and garden play promote a healthy lifestyle and allow many opportunities for children to develop their physical skills through the range of age- appropriate toys and resources. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder reminds them to be aware of their own personal safety and they are beginning to understand the impact their actions have on other children playing nearby. The childminder is a positive role model. She talks to the children and uses praise to promote good behaviour. Children have developed a warm and trusting relationship with the other children and the childminder. Their self-esteem is

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and outcomes for children

promoted to an extremely high level with the consistent interaction, well-organised activities and freedom to make choices about their play. Children are learning skills that ensure they cope with new experiences and to extend and develop skills for their future learning. 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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