Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY346958 Inspection date 02/05/2012 Inspector Jane Mount

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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 February 2007. She lives with her husband and three children aged six, three and one year in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. The whole of the property, excluding two upstair bedrooms, 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 has no pets.

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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 one may be in the early years age range. There is currently one child attending who is in the Early Years Foundation Stage. 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.

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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

An inclusive and welcoming environment is provided, where positive relationships with parents ensure children's individual needs are met. The childminder has high regard for the well-being of children and has effective systems in place to ensure they are safeguarded and their welfare is protected. Children share secure relationships with the childminder and are fully supported in their care, learning and play. They are making good progress in their learning as activities and play experiences are tailored to children's individual developmental needs. Some processes for monitoring the quality of the provision are in place.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further a quality improvement system, such as self-evaluation, to more effectively monitor and extend effective practice to ensure continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

Safeguarding procedures are secure and children's welfare is protected. The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of how to protect children from harm as she has completed a safeguarding children course. She has a written safeguarding policy and guidance leaflets available. All household members have had relevant background checks completed. Children are cared for in a safe and secure home. The childminder takes positive steps to keep children safe, such as using a safety gate to prevent children accessing the stairs. Close supervision by This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the childminder and written risk assessments, along with on-going visual assessments, ensures the environment remains safe. Documentation for the safe and efficient management of the setting and to promote children's well-being is in place and regularly shared with parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a secure knowledge of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is aware of the need to keep up-to-date with current childcare practice and she achieves this through networking with other childminders. She also understands the importance of continuous professional development and has recently completed an early years level three childcare qualification, as well as attending several appropriate short courses and workshops. She has plans to increase her knowledge and enhance her practice further by completing an early years degree in the near future. The childminder strives to provide a quality service. She undertakes some monitoring to ensure the quality of the provision is good, such as reviewing and updating documentation and seeks feedback from parents and children. She is aware of her key strengths and the areas she wishes to develop further, with a recently introduced system of

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the early years provision

self-evaluation, to more closely monitor her practice. This is still in the early stages of development but the childminder plans to use this as a way of ensuring continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good organisational skills and she uses these to ensure children's care and learning are positively supported. Resources are easily accessible to children and developmentally appropriate. The daily routine is 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. Parents are provided with good quality information about the setting and children benefit greatly from a two-way sharing of information between the childminder and parents. This is achieved in several ways, including verbally and the use of informative daily diaries as well as the use of texts, telephone calls and emails to ensure children's needs are fully met. The childminder works in partnership with others. She has developed links with a local children's centre and is an active member of a childminding group. She liaises with other early years settings

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the early years provision

delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage, such as the local school the children in her care attend, to promote the integration of care and education.

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and outcomes for children

Children have an enjoyable time in the childminder's care and are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder effectively uses the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage to plan a varied range of activities and play experiences for children. Planning is flexible with activities adapted to cater for individual children's needs and interests. Systems for observing and assessing children are developing well and show children's progress and achievements over time. Children experience a varied range of play experiences, which cover the six areas of learning. They participate in a mixture of adult-led and child-initiated play, with the indoor and outdoor environments used to promote their play and learning. Children are able to make independent This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 decisions and choices in the activities they play with and the home environment is

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and outcomes for children

organised so many resources are easily accessible.

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and outcomes for children

Children's language skills are promoted as the childminder supports children in their play, asking questions and engaging them in conversation. They enjoy using their imagination, such as when making up stories using puppets. Their understanding of shape, colours and numbers is encouraged as the childminder asks questions to help children think and problem solve as they play. Children confidently recognise shapes when playing games and enjoy drawing and making patterns as they develop their early writing skills. Children have many opportunities to experience a variety of art and craft activities including play dough, painting, cutting and sticking. They learn about the local community through outings, including visits to the library and local parks. The childminder takes full advantage of the amenities in the area and children particularly enjoy regular outings to a children's farm.

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and outcomes for children

Effective strategies are implemented by the childminder to promote children's health and well-being. Good hygiene practices, such as ensuring children use paper towels for drying their hands, help to minimise the risk of cross infection. Children learn how to stay healthy through discussion and effective support and guidance from the childminder. They know they must wash their hands before eating and the childminder regularly discusses with the children the reasons for doing so. Children participate in a varied range of activities, which positively contributes to their good health and physical fitness. They learn that exercise can be fun as they take part in activities including skipping, running races or balancing on beams. They also enjoy regular visits to a soft play centre. Healthy eating is encouraged and children learn about the benefits of a nutritious diet as they regularly talk about fruit and vegetables being good for their body.

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and outcomes for children

Children's safety is protected and they are developing a good understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe. When out walking, they learn about road safety and know they must wait at the crossing for the green man, before they can cross safely with an adult. At the childminder's home, they know it is important to hold on to the banister when going up and down the stairs. Positive relationships between the childminder and children enable children to feel settled in the childminder's care and consequently they feel secure in their surroundings and confident in their play. Through discussion they learn how to behave and regular praise and encouragement from the childminder develops children's self-esteem. Children are supported effectively and are encouraged to share and to take turns and are beginning to understand how their behaviour can have an impact on others. 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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