Childminder, Out-of school day care in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY437903 Inspection date 09/05/2012 Inspector Lynne Talbot

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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 2011. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and six years old in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to provide care on each weekday during term time and school holidays. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. 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 and of whom, one may be under one year old. There are currently two children attending part-time hours, one of whom is within the early years age range. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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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's individuality is recognised by the childminder, who has a sound understanding of their needs and interests. She creates a sharing working relationship with parents and is beginning to develop partnerships with other settings that children attend. These steps ensure that children's needs are met and the activities offered support progress overall. The childminder takes mainly effective steps to promote children's health and welfare through daily routines, assessment of risk and a sound safeguarding awareness. The childminder adopts a positive attitude towards continued development but is yet to pursue this to enable reflection on the overall care and continued outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the observations and assessments of each child's achievements, interests and learning styles; ensure that planned learning builds from what children already know or can do. Recognise the parental input into the planned learning and use these assessments to identify learning priorities to plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child  record details of regular evacuation drills in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved  gain further understanding of reflective practice, in order to confidently identify aspects of the service that are done well and those aspects that might be improved, so as to continue to promote good outcomes for children develop further the links with all other settings providing for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure continuity and coherence to support This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is suitably promoted because the childminder has a sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has an understanding of her responsibilities relating to safeguarding and implements clear procedures to protect children. The childminder ensures that all persons required undertake the appropriate checks to safeguard children. The childminder assesses her premises and outings, to minimise risks to children and an overall record is currently held. These factors contribute to the childminder safeguarding children effectively and ensuring that they are kept safe from harm. Children learn about safety routines from the childminder and practise emergency evacuation procedures. However, a record of evacuation is not completed and consequently, it is not possible to review and evaluate procedures to improve safety for children. Procedures for illness and medical assistance are planned to ensure children's safety. Details of

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the early years provision

the procedure for uncollected or missing children are discussed with parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder offers an inclusive service to children and works with parents to understand each child as an individual. The differing needs of younger and older aged children are met successfully and consequently, each child thrives. Children explore the community in which they live. They use local parks, recreation grounds and adventure parks, promoting physical development. They use some play equipment, which reflects the wider society. A broad range of play equipment fosters curiosity within the wider world and leads to some discussions and research into other countries.

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the early years provision

Procedures to support the relationship with parents are secure. General welfare is shared with parents each day in discussion. Parents' comment that children 'feel completely safe and secure' and note that 'the kindness and patience the childminder shows to children is outstanding'. The childminder has not yet cared for any children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, she has a clear understanding of the importance of working with other professionals to provide a good level of support for children when the need arises. The childminder currently cares for children who attend other early years provisions. However, while she is aware of the importance of sharing information with other settings, she has not yet established a partnership wherein learning and development is fully shared to support children's continuity of care. The childminder seeks informal feedback from parents to ensure that her care is having

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the early years provision

a positive impact on outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has completed all required training since registration, as well as training in safeguarding. A capacity to continue making changes is demonstrated. However, reflective practice is not yet in place to form the basis of internal review to focus areas for development. Children achieve and make sound progress in their learning overall because resources are offered to them, which provide variety and stimulation. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements suitably to offer experiences to meet children's individual needs. When planning activities to help them to take the next steps in their learning, she successfully integrates her knowledge of their interests and incorporates child- initiated activities. However, while progression is compared to the development matters document, this is not used in detail to build from a baseline assessment to include aspects of what children can already do, use parental input or identify next steps to directly feed into planned activities for each child. This means that potential learning opportunities may fail to be maximised to progress children towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident and enjoy the time spent with the childminder, they choose what they would like to play with from a range of accessible resources. Children explore creativity using tape dispensers and scissors in a safe manner. For example, children use paper and sticky tape to make a camera, to which they add a lens and buttons to operate it. They make clothing for toys to wear from wrapping paper, using their imagination and working together. Children show confidence in the use of technology, using a tablet computer to research and follow origami instructions and to explore aspects of the solar system, as a result of a school project. The childminder supports children in extending their interests in school topics by providing both equipment and support.

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and outcomes for children

Children work collaboratively when they develop structures from small blocks. They help each other, offering advice, help and suggestions on how to make their structures stable. Children show a keen understanding of social behaviours and show persistence as they solve their problems together. Children are encouraged to share ideas and explore the world around them. They discuss stories and celebrations about different parts of India where customs, foods and clothing are all different. Sri Lankan and Chinese cultures are explored, helping children to continue developing an interest in others around them. Stories and books are accessible and well used. Children freely explore mark making and enjoy writing together. They show confidence as they calculate and carry out activities that require them to add and subtract.

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and outcomes for children

Hygiene routines are robust and help children to understand personal hygiene and its link to their well-being. Menu plans are shared with parents. Children show a well-developed understanding of personal safety. For instance, they are able to fully explain how to keep themselves safe when crossing roads, when at the park and when travelling in a car. Children begin to sort recycling materials to gain an understanding of sustainability. They behave well and positive reinforcement promotes acceptable behaviour. Children are establishing basic skills for the future to assist in their learning and development, as well as their place in society. 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 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 2 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 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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