Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY290053 Inspection date 19/04/2012 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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and children aged 11 years, five years and one year in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor 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.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, of whom one may be in the early years age range. There is one child currently attending on a part time basis who is within 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. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. She holds a relevant childcare qualification at level 3 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy, settled and making sound progress in their learning and development. The childminder provides a positive atmosphere and is beginning to have an understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. There are strong relationships with parents who are clearly informed about their child's welfare and this helps meet the individual needs of each child. Children are safe and benefit from the strong procedures to promote a healthy lifestyle. The self-assessment process is in the early stages of development and the childminder is keen to improve her practice. Key priorities for development are suitably targeted.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further self-evaluation systems to continually assess all aspects of the provision  improve the planning for the outdoor environment where children's play can be challenged and extended  enhance the observations and assessments to identify learning priorities and match these observations to the expectations of the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is well managed due to the childminder's genuine commitment to safeguard children and her adequate understanding of the known indicators of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 child abuse. The childminder completes appropriate records for the safe and efficient management of the early years provision. She regularly reviews her procedures and informs parents of any changes. Children are cared for in a secure environment where hazards are recognised and minimised, and this supports their safety. The childminder provides a welcoming and supportive environment. Children's learning is generally supported as she gives them sufficient individual attention. She ensures that the needs of all children are met. There is an ample range of age-appropriate toys that are linked to the children's interest and within easy reach. Children are encouraged to feel valued and free from discrimination as

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed strong and effective relationships with the parents and there is a good two-way flow of information, knowledge and expertise. Children's achievements are confirmed through a daily diary and frequent verbal discussions. The childminder regularly sends videos and photographs of the children at play to the parents to reassure them and to keep them very well informed. The parents and childminder have jointly agreed a strategy to help plan for the children's development. Parents make many positive comments on the care of their children with the childminder and how the children consider her home their 'second home'. The childminder is not currently caring for any children who also attend other early years provisions or have a specific special need. However, she has a sound understanding of the importance of partnership working to support children's continuity of care. The childminder has recently completed the required

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the early years provision

first aid training and has a plan to address future training needs. However, she has not fully implemented a self-evaluation system to review her childminding service against challenging quality criteria that will improve the quality of the provision for all children. She has made some progress on the recommendation made following the previous inspection by improving the range of resources.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and the childminder suitably promotes children's learning and development. Young children are learning that they are special through the calm approach and warm and playful interactions of the childminder. This motivates young children and helps them to make progress. Children's emerging language is well supported by the childminder's playfulness. They delight in rhymes, books and peek-a-boo games. Children enjoy sorting and stacking beakers comparing the shapes and sizes. Messy activities are introduced slowly as the childminder is considerate to the children's preferences. The childminder sensitively observes and records the children's development ensuring that all the areas of learning are noted. She intuitively plans for the next steps in the children's development using the children's interests. She provides plenty of battery operated toys with lights, music, buttons and switches as this is of great interest to the children in her care.

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and outcomes for children

She has yet to make full use of the 'Development matters' information within the Early Years Foundation Stage to plan future experiences. Consequently, it cannot be established that children are making as much progress as they can across all areas of learning relative to their starting points and capabilities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children take part in the local community as they frequently visit local toddler groups where they can exercise on the wheeled toys. They learn about the wider world as they celebrate traditional festivals and are beginning explore the festivals of others through the art and craft activities in the groups. They have fresh air daily on the trip to pick up the school children and they have use of the garden in the better weather, although planning to promote the value of outdoor learning is less well developed. As a result, children's learning outside is not fully extended

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe as they can confide in the childminder who listens to them. They show a suitable understanding of how to keep themselves safe as they are gently reminded of the house rules and the consequences of their actions. The childminder encourages children's good health and well-being. She provides a healthy and varied diet and dietary requirements are fully respected and catered for. There are secure infection control measures and the childminder follows good hygiene practices. The childminder ensures equipment supports the children's growing independence and there is great excitement as the post brings a new non spill cup. 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 3 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 3 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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