Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY358802 Inspection date 05/03/2012 Inspector Sheila Harrison

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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 2007. She lives with her husband who is also a registered childminder and their two school-aged children on the outskirts of Watford. The whole of the house is used for childminding. Children do not generally access upstairs other than to sleep as there is a downstairs cloakroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play, the family have a pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. When working with another childminder she may care for a maximum of 10 children with no more than six 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. They also provide care for children attending school. The childminder supports children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language. The childminder has completed a National Vocational Qualifcation at Level 3 in Children's Learning and Development. 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

Children are happy and settled and making good progress in their learning. The childminder provides a mostly positive environment where children are safe and healthy. The uniqueness of each child is recognised and the childminder endeavours to support every child so that they are not disadvantaged. Children benefit from the childminder's effective partnership with the co-childminder, parents and with other professionals. The childminder continually strives to improve the provision through careful reflection on her practice and is proactive in extending her knowledge and skills. As a result, the setting is well placed to maintain and sustain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 enhance the outdoor environment so that children's play can be challenging and extended.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is well managed due to the childminder's genuine commitment to safeguard children. She has recently attended training on safeguarding children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Parents are fully aware of her approach to child protection as they are given a copy of the policy. The childminder completes comprehensive records for the efficient management of the early years provision, including the assessment of risks in the home and on outings.

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the early years provision

The childminder, together with her husband who is also a registered childminder, work as an effective team. They work with a common sense of purpose so that all children have the opportunity to achieve as well as they can. The childminder undertakes a self-evaluation process and has an accurate understanding of the strengths and areas for improvement of her practices. She has a commitment to continuous professional development and has undertaken a well-planned programme of ongoing learning opportunities to ensure that her skills are consistently updated.

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the early years provision

Children's learning is well supported as the childminder ensures that the needs of all children are met and she can demonstrate that each child gets the support he or she needs. The childminder efficiently, and jointly with her co-worker, organises their use of time to give the children plenty of individual attention.

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the early years provision

The childminder has effective relationships with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage that the children attend, ensuring there is a continuity of care and learning. The indoor environment is rich in text, photographs, posters and numbers. Children have daily access to the garden that is well resourced with physical play equipment. There is an area of grass and a covered area for them to play outside in most weathers.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed a strong and effective relationship with the parents and there is a good two-way flow of information, knowledge and expertise. Parents are asked to complete a questionnaire on their child's likes, dislikes and stage of development before their child starts. Children's achievements are confirmed through daily verbal discussions and parents have frequent access to their child's 'learning journey' record. Parents are asked for their views on the setting and parents commented 'we feel completely confident and at ease leaving him in their care'.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder effectively promotes children's learning and development. She undertakes regular, sensitive observations and accurate assessments of the child's development. She plans for the next steps in the children's development making use of information within the Early Years Foundation Stage. Her calm approach and warm and playful interactions motivate young children well and help them to make progress. Children enjoy the books and puppets contained in a story sack and they help the childminder tell the story. Sheet music is stored with the musical instruments and musical notation is displayed with the hand washing song in the bathroom. This helps children make connections in their learning and to be aware that print can carry various meanings. Children are beginning to develop mathematical understanding in everyday situations. They enjoy sorting the puzzles This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

into different categories during tidy up time and they help to measure the ingredients during cookery activities.

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and outcomes for children

Young children have easy access to their favourite toys and the childminder is quickly aware when they wish to play outside. Children can play with the varied resources outside. These are mostly linked to their physical development, although, planning to promote the value of outdoor learning in all the other areas of learning is less well developed. Consequently children's learning outside is not fully extended and challenging.

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and outcomes for children

Children respond well to the expectations of the childminder. They are encouraged to behave and to say please, thank you and sorry if required. The childminder reminds the children of the house rules and the consequences of standing on the furniture. Children form friendships, are helped to share and to respect others. They enjoy helping to tidy away the toys before getting out some more. Children are learning about the community in which they live. They celebrate traditional festivals and acknowledge the festivals of others. The childminder encourages children to display positive attitudes and discuss the similarities and differences between themselves. Children have frequent trips to local parent and toddler groups, music groups and the local early years centre. The childminder has recently taken over part of an allotment and the children eagerly visit to help in the preparations for the growing and planting season ahead.

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and outcomes for children

Children show good awareness about what constitutes a healthy lifestyle. There are secure infection control measures, such as, children having their own towels. Parents are well informed of the childminder's sickness procedures. Parents provide packed meals and children learn about healthy foods through the valuable cookery activities. Children use a list with words and pictures to check the ingredients for an activity making pizzas.

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and outcomes for children

Children have valuable opportunities to learn to keep themselves safe. They discuss and practise road safety and stranger danger on the walk to school and the park. Children were informed that there may be a visitor during the inspection to ensure they felt comfortable with another person present. They understand the emergency evacuation plan helping them to react appropriately in an urgent situation. 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: 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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