Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY435703 Inspection date 02/05/2012 Inspector Jo Rowley

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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 2011. She lives with her partner and a child aged four years in Offley, Hertfordshire, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole ground floor of the house and an upstairs bedroom are used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care on each weekday during term time and school holidays. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum five children under eight years at any one time, two of whom are in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment for children. She takes positive steps to promote children's safety through established daily routines and she has an effective understanding of safeguarding procedures, including the need to carry out risk assessments. The childminder is generally meeting the needs of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage and she promotes an inclusive environment. All children make sound progress towards the early learning goals, and established links with parents help to build positive relationships, promoting consistency. The childminder has requested feedback from parents in the form of questionnaires, although reflective practice and self-evaluation are limited.

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further?

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

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further?

 incorporate children's next steps in to the planning to ensure that activities are tailored to the needs and abilities of individual children  improve opportunities for children to develop their knowledge and understanding of the wider world  develop the system of self-evaluation in order to identify strengths and weaknesses and monitor the impact any improvements have on outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding procedures in order to protect the children in her care. She has devised well-written and comprehensive policies and procedures and these are shared with parents. The childminder is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 aware of her role and her responsibility with regard to reporting concerns and has the necessary documentation in place to support this, further protecting children. Risk assessments are completed and details recorded to promote children's safety in the home, as well as individual risk assessments which are completed for each type of outing the children take part in. Children learn about keeping safe as they take part in a regular emergency evacuation drill and they learn about road safety through discussion on the way to and from school. To further promote children's safety the childminder carries an individual photographic card for each child,

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the early years provision

detailing their emergency contact details.

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the early years provision

The childminder has some understanding of cultural differences to support children's awareness of the wider community and she encourages them to learn about a number of cultural events. She demonstrates awareness of the need for reflection and seeks information from parents through questionnaires. However, steps to self-evaluate her setting are limited and therefore strengths are not always acknowledged and areas for development are not easily identified. The childminder has a friendly, professional relationship with parents and she encourages them to share what they know about their children, with daily communication being maintained through diaries, telephone calls or emails.

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the early years provision

The childminder is starting to develop links with other local settings, such as the local primary school, and she is working to build upon these relationships to promote continuity of care. All children are equally welcomed into the childminder's setting regardless of their background, culture or religion, and a written equal opportunities policy is shared with parents. Children use resources which are age and stage appropriate and there are opportunities for them to make choices about their play as resources are stored at their level.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, enjoy their time with the childminder and are making steady progress in their learning because she is supportive to their needs. Children are naturally challenged in their play as the childminder encourages them to try and do things for themselves. For example, as one young child shows a keen interest in the train track, the childminder supports and encourages them to try and build part of the track themselves. As the child successfully does this, they are praised by the childminder for their efforts. Observations are completed on a regular basis for each child and these are clearly linked to the six areas of learning. However, the observations are not explored consistently to highlight children's developmental achievements or identify areas where they need further support. This means that children's next steps are not incorporated into future planning to ensure that activities are tailored to the needs and abilities of individual children. Flexible

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and outcomes for children

planning enables the childminder to follow a regular theme which takes into account children's likes and interests. Activities include most of the six areas of learning and offer children fun and interesting activities they enjoy.

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and outcomes for children

A learning journey is created for each child and these include observations, photographs and examples of the activities they have enjoyed. Children's sense of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 belonging is encouraged because they each have an individual drawer where they can store their personal toys and belongings. Appropriate behaviour is demonstrated and children learn right from wrong because the childminder uses regular, gentle reminders to promote their safety; for example, she reminds them about tidying away the toys before getting more out so they do not fall over and hurt themselves. Children develop their creative and imaginative skills as they pretend to put Their physical development is promoted through regular opportunities for outside play where they use static resources. They enjoy water play outside, which becomes more interesting as the children and the childminder

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and outcomes for children

mix sand and bubbles into it. Children are seen smiling and laughing throughout the activities and show a sense of security as one child goes to the childminder for a cuddle before their sleep.

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and outcomes for children

Children have regular opportunities to access books and these are available for them to read independently. However, their knowledge and understanding of the wider world is not effectively planned for, and therefore, they have limited opportunities to develop in this area of learning. Children have an appropriate awareness of personal hygiene. For example, they are aware of the need to wash hands before meal times and after outside play, and have individual hand towels and bedding to avoid the spread of infection. Children learn about healthy eating as the childminder provides freshly prepared, home-cooked meals and fresh snacks on a daily basis. 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 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 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 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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