Childminder in HertfordshireOfsted inspection, 20 Apr 2012

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY433269 Inspection date 20/04/2012 Inspector Jane Mount

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in October 2011. She lives with her husband and two children, aged five years and almost two years old, in Mill End, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. The whole of the property is used for childminding. 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. The family have a small tank of fish as pets.

p.4

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 two may be in the early years age range and of whom, one may be under one year old. There are currently four 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.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Positive relationships between the childminder and parents ensure that children's individual needs are met. An inclusive and welcoming environment is provided and children are happy and secure in the childminder's care. The childminder has high regard for the well-being of children and has effective systems in place to ensure that they are safeguarded and their welfare is protected. The childminder provides a varied selection of play experiences to enable children to make good progress in their learning, although, systems for observing and assessing children are still in the early stages of development. Processes for monitoring the quality of the service provided and to ensure continuous improvement have been introduced.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop further observation and assessment systems to show children's progress and use these more effectively to plan the next steps in a child's developmental progress.

p.4

the early years provision

The environment in which children are cared for is safe and children's welfare is protected. The childminder has a written safeguarding policy and guidance leaflets are available. She has a secure knowledge and understanding of how to protect children from harm. All household members have had relevant background checks completed. The childminder has a clear understanding of issues relating to safety This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and children are cared for in a safe and secure home. Close supervision by the childminder keeps children safe. Also detailed written risk assessments ensure that any potential hazards are identified and minimised and children are protected at all times.

p.4

the early years provision

This is the childminder's first inspection since registering and she has worked hard to develop a secure knowledge and understanding of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. Documentation for the safe and efficient management of the setting and to promote children's well-being is well organised and regularly shared with parents. The childminder understands the importance of continuous professional development and since registering as a childminder has attended some short courses and workshops and has plans to complete an early years childcare qualification. The childminder has begun to monitor her practice to ensure that the quality of the service provided is good and she is aware of her key strengths and the areas she wishes to develop further. She regularly seeks feedback from parents and has systems in place to ensure that she regularly reviews and updates all records, including children's contracts and information

p.5

the early years provision

along with the setting's written policies and procedures.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has good organisational skills and she uses these to ensure that children's care and learning are positively supported. Resources are accessible and developmentally appropriate with the daily routine planned around children's individual needs. The childminder values and appreciates the children in her care and their families and welcomes them into her home. She shows a strong commitment to inclusive practice and takes great care to find out about and to meet children's specific needs. Parents are provided with good quality information. Also children benefit greatly from a two-way sharing of information between the childminder and parents. Purposeful relationships between the childminder and parents ensure that children are fully supported. Parents are kept fully informed of their children's care, progress and achievements either through the use of daily diaries or verbal communication to ensure that children's needs are fully met. The

p.5

the early years provision

childminder works in partnership with others and through a local childminding group, she regularly networks with other childminders, sharing ideas and exchanging views and good practice. She shows a positive attitude and awareness of liaising with other early years settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage and has developed positive links with the local school and nursery the children in her care attend. Therefore, ensuring continuity in children's care and learning.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children have an enjoyable time in the childminder's care and participate in a varied range of activities and play experiences, which cover the six areas of learning. Simple observation and assessment systems are in place but are still in the early stages of development and do not yet clearly show how children are making progress. However, the childminder knows the children in her care well and she uses this information to support them in their learning. Children's interests This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are taken account of and there is a mixture of adult-led and child-initiated play with activities informally planned to meet their individual developmental needs. Children are able to make independent decisions and choices in the activities they participate in with the home environment organised with many resources at child height and easily accessible.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children express themselves creatively and have regular opportunities to participate in a variety of art and craft activities, such as, painting, play dough, drawing and colouring and cutting and sticking. They enjoy the sensory experience of paint between their fingers when making hand prints or clay when making models. Children's language and communication skills are promoted as the childminder supports them in their play, asking questions and engaging them in conversation. Regular story times also supports children's early communication skills. Children have many opportunities to learn about the local community as good use is made of the surrounding parks, playgrounds and other local amenities. They enjoy regular outings, including visits to toddlers or library and they are currently learning about the 'people who help us' and a visit to the local fire station has been planned. They learn about the environment and have enjoyed planting

p.6

and outcomes for children

and growing some fruits and vegetables, as well as sunflowers.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Effective strategies are implemented by the childminder to promote children's health and well-being. Good hygiene practices and a highly effective sickness policy ensure that the risk of cross-infection is minimised and children's health is protected. Through discussion and effective support and guidance from the childminder, children learn the importance of personal care routines to keep them healthy. They are learning that it is important to wash their hands before eating or after playing in the garden and they discuss the reasons for doing so. Children participate in a varied range of activities, which contributes to their good health and physical fitness. They are learning that exercise can be fun as they enjoy going for walks, playing in the garden and have regular visits to children's parks or soft play centre, as well as participating in 'music and movement' sessions. Children are provided with a balanced, healthy diet. Specific dietary requirements

p.6

and outcomes for children

are discussed with parents to ensure that individual dietary needs are suitably catered for. Children are beginning to learn about healthy eating, such as when they talk about fruit being good for their bodies at snack time.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are developing a good understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe. When out walking, they discuss road safety and when travelling in the childminder's car, they know that they must sit in the correct car seats and wear seat belts. Clear emergency evacuation procedures are in place and the childminder regularly practises these with the children in her care to ensure that they know how to stay safe in an emergency. Positive relationships between children and their childminder enable them to feel settled in her care and consequently, they feel secure in their surroundings and are confident in their play. Behaviour is managed in a positive manner with clear boundaries set by the childminder. Children are learning how to play together and to share and take turns and regular praise and encouragement from the childminder develops children's self-esteem. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8