Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY274219 Inspection date 25/05/2012 Inspector Tina Kelly

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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 three children aged three, five and 13 years in Borehamwood in Hertfordshire. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding with restrictions to the office and ground floor bedroom. There is a downstairs bathroom and a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have two dogs and a rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of four children at any one time, of these no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for two children in this age group. When working with an assistant or another registered childminder they may care for a maximum of four children in the early years age group. She also provides care to children aged over five to 11 years.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She holds a level 3 qualification in Early Years Learning and Development.

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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

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. The childminder uses observations to show children are making good progress towards the early learning goals. Parents are kept well informed about their children's personal care routines and the activities they have enjoyed. The documents required for the well-being of the children and for the smooth running of the setting are well established. The childminder has a good understanding of the strengths and areas of her practice to be developed to continue enable her to develop the service she provides. She is committed to improving and developing her skills to improve outcomes for all children in her care.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the process for self-evaluation to include parents' views to assist in evaluating the provision to ensure continuous development.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder and other adults are clear about their responsibilities to provide a safe environment. The childminder has information and leaflets provided by the Local Safeguarding Children Board This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 available, these have been recently updated to ensure all adults working with the children have current information to refer to if they have concerns. Appropriate background checks have been carried out on all members of the household. Risk assessments are well established and take account of all areas that the children have access to. The process is very effective in identifying and minimising risks to children in the home, garden and on outings. A regular fire drill shows all children are learning about their own safety in the home. The childminder provides a range of good quality toys and resources in the playroom and garden which is readily

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the early years provision

available. Resources are age appropriate and linked to the interests of the children being cared for.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established good relationships with families of the children she cares for. She uses texts to share the day to day experiences and special moments with parents. There is an effective process in place to share information about the children's personal care and aspects of the day they have enjoyed. The childminder has not cared for children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, she has a very clear understanding of the importance of working with parents to ensure all aspects of their home life and the children's individual needs are respected and valued.

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the early years provision

The childminder holds a level 3 early years qualification and she uses these skills to provide a well-organised and interesting experience for the children in her care. She is involved in the local childminder meetings and support network and is active in seeking training for the group, such as first aid. She is confident about what she needs to do to improve further but a formal process to include parents comments and to sustain improvements is not currently in place. The childminder is aware of the support provided by the Sure Start centre and the Early Years Partnership, she uses the service for training to extend and develop her practice. She has embraced the new Early Years Foundation Stage framework which reflects on her proactive approach to extending and improving her practice and outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides an interesting range of resources, activities and outings for young children in her care. Photographs show they enjoy a variety of experiences both in the home and out in the community. She has a thorough settling-in process and spends time with parents to establish the children's individual learning and care needs with use of a baseline assessment form. The childminder has an effective observation process based on the Every Child Matters Principles into Practice cards, areas of learning and outcomes for children. Their learning journals show effective planning to extend and develop the children's future learning and play experiences.

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and outcomes for children

The spacious playroom is well organised and resourced to enable children of different ages to play alongside each other. Children co-operate as they sit together and share the tools when playing with the dough. Children are encouraged to extend their own play ideas with good verbal and practical support by both adults which fully supports their learning. The childminder introduces new This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 activities and sets them out with the children to show them what to do. The rainbow painting activity develops the children's language and physical skills as they use a selection of sponge pads to paint on a large piece of paper. The garden provides a wide range of activities to explore. The space is used effectively so children can use the ride on toys and play ball whilst others use the floor space to paint in a safe area. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder

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and outcomes for children

reminds them to be aware of their own personal safety, they are beginning to understand the impact their actions have on other children playing nearby.

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and outcomes for children

Equality and diversity is promoted through a range of resources and events planned throughout the year. Resources are sought to reflect different cultures and family settings and are incorporated in the play with sensitive interaction by the childminder. The childminder has supported children with English as an additional language and shared their developing skills with parents through a comprehensive daily diary and detailed learning journey. The childminder knows the children well. She regularly takes the children to toddler groups to provide new activities and to meet other children. The young children enjoy trips to the children's farm where they have opportunities to find out about the animals and the natural world.

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and outcomes for children

Children's personal health is promoted through every day routines. The childminder has a sample menu on display to show parents how she provides healthy and nutritious meals and snacks for children of all ages. Outings and garden play promote a healthy lifestyle and give many opportunities for children to develop their physical skills on the wide range of age-appropriate toys and resources. The childminder is a positive role model, she talks to the children and uses praise to promote good behaviour. Children have developed a warm and trusting relationship with the other children and their carers. Their self-esteem is promoted with the consistent interaction, well-organised activities and freedom to make choices about their play. Children are learning skills that ensure they cope with new experiences and to extend and develop skills for their future learning. 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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