Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY433320 Inspection date 18/04/2012 Inspector Lynn Clements

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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 in a residential area of Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, with her husband and two children aged three and one year. The whole of the property, managed by the childminder, is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time, of whom, one may be in the early years age group and one may be under one year. The childminder is currently caring for one child in the early years age group. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder clearly has a very good understanding about the individual learning and development needs of the children in her care. She provides a safe and secure family home where children can play freely and learn about the wider world around them. Overall, most of the required documentation is maintained to a high standard. Partnerships with others are good and those with parents are exemplary; this open communication is significant in making sure that the needs of all children, including those with additional needs are met. As a result children progress extremely well given their age, ability and starting points. The childminder reflects on her practice and listens to parents enabling her to develop the service she provides.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 obtain prior written permission for each and every medication from parents before any medication is given (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 02/05/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the systems of reflective practice in order to continue to build on strengths and meet user needs. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding about safeguarding children from harm. She fully understands how to respond and the actions to take if she is concerned about a child in her care. The childminder has carefully examined her property, both inside and out, and clearly identifies potential hazards. She has taken actions to minimise risks in her home and has recorded risk assessments, which she regularly reviews, in order to make sure all child accessible areas continue to remain safe and secure. This means that the children can play and investigate freely. The childminder has taken the time to devise a wide and pertinent range of relevant policies and procedures which she shares with parents. These are implemented in practice in order to provide positive outcomes for the children and ensure the smooth daily management of her setting. Documents such as daily records of attendance, accident and incident logs,

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the early years provision

permissions, contracts and so forth, are maintained well and regularly reviewed along with polices and risk assessments. However, whilst the childminder has verbal agreements and records all medication administered to children, which is then signed by parents, she has not obtained prior written permission for each and every medicine. This is a requirement of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder takes her continuing professional development seriously and updates training such as first aid and safeguarding.

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the early years provision

The childminder has clear strategies in place with regard to partnership working. These include networking with other local childminders and development workers at local children's centres. Highly purposeful and open communications are in place with parents. Parents are very well informed about all aspects of their own children's achievement, well-being and development. Parents report that they are very confident and impressed with the childminder's service and approach in caring and supporting their child. They talk about how the childminder keeps them up-to- date with the activities their children enjoy and how much they take pleasure in the daily diary, their child's learning record and emailed photographs. The childminder is confident about what she needs to do to improve further and has been successful in making and sustaining improvements so far. She has identified developing her reflective practice further in order to continue to build on strengths

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the early years provision

Deployment of resources is good and children are able to access a wide range of toys freely. The available resources are used well to achieve the planned goals in learning and development. The childminder is taking appropriate steps to ensure the resources and environment are sustainable. The childminder has a very good knowledge of each child's background and needs. She considers her own attitude to others and ensures that her own knowledge about different cultures is up-to- date. The childminder promotes diversity through topics, themes and discussions, to help children understand the world in which they live. 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 has an exceptionally good understanding of how young children learn through play and free-flow investigation. She clearly implements assessment for learning to monitor each child's progress then tailors future learning opportunities based on what they know and can do. Children are eager to learn for themselves and make significant gains in their learning. They show high levels of independence, curiosity, imagination and concentration. Children are developing and embedding skills for future learning and are making exceedingly good progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Parents share learning records and are encouraged to share learning that happens at home. This important information is then used by the childminder to help plan balanced learning opportunities based on the child as a whole.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate their growing ability to concentrate as they move around the childminder's home, making decisions about what they want to investigate. Once they have decided they take their time, for example exploring resources using their senses, such as touch and rolling the object around their hands and feeling it with their fingers. Children use their imagination as they create farms from coloured wooden bricks and place plastic animals inside. Babies develop an understanding and awareness of themselves as they study their own hands and feet and move around the room. They explore the environment with interest and this is enabled by the childminder who provides space for them to move, roll, stretch, crawl and explore. Children develop language skills as they babble or join in simple songs, such as Old MacDonald's farm. They thoroughly enjoy dancing along to the music, smiling broadly and looking expectantly at adults to show them just how clever

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and outcomes for children

they can be, enjoying and taking pride in their own achievements. The childminder uses a wide range of teaching methods which help children to interact and try things out for themselves without fear of failure. Emphasis is placed on providing a stimulating and multi-sensory environment which enthuses and encourages children to explore and have fun independently.

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and outcomes for children

Children engage in a wide range of physical activities, both indoors and out, increasing their understanding of the importance of regular exercise as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Regular trips out and about provide opportunities for them to socialise with others, developing emotional skills which lead to making friends and interacting fittingly with others. Babies and very young children appear content and settled because their health, physical and dietary requirements are well met. This continuity of care is established through the excellent working relationships the childminder has clearly established with the parents. Children are secure and develop a sense of belonging in the setting. Good quality interaction and well organised routines help babies and very young children to feel protected and confident. Children are fully supported to take appropriate risks, for example using single-handed tools, such as spoons and forks, paintbrushes or scissors, all

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and outcomes for children

under the watchful eye of the childminder. These every day, vital opportunities help them to develop self-help skills and learn about keeping themselves safe from harm. 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 1 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 1

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 any medicine administered to any child who is cared for on the premises, including the date and circumstances and who administered it, including medicine which the child is permitted to self- administer, together with a record of a parent/guardian/carer's consent (Records to be kept) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 02/05/2012

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Records to be kept). 02/05/2012

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