Childminder in HertfordshireOfsted inspection, 1 Jun 2012

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY430858 Inspection date 01/06/2012 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 2011. She lives with her partner and young child in Bushey on the outskirts of Watford in Hertfordshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding, except the main bedroom. Children do not generally access upstairs other than to use the family bathroom. A fully enclosed garden is available for outside play. The house is within walking distance of local amenities, such as, schools, shops and parks.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, as well as both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom, no more than two may be in the early years age range and of whom, no more than one may be under one year old. She is currently caring for one child in this age group. The childminder holds a Level 3 qualification in Early Years Care and Education.

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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 content and happy in the childminder's care. The childminder is beginning to use observations to show children are making progress towards the early learning goals. Most of the information gained is used to plan for their future learning. Some of the paperwork required for the safety of the children is not fully effective. Parents are kept informed about their children's personal care routines and the activities they have enjoyed. The childminder is beginning to establish a process to review her practice to enable her to show continuous improvements and develop 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 the records of children's learning and development to provide a summary of their achievements to promote effective planning for the next steps in their learning  update the record of risk assessments to identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis  develop a system for self-evaluation to identify strengths and areas for development to promote continuous improvement. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder has information from the Local Safeguarding Children Board and she is clear about her responsibilities to seek advice if she has concerns about those in her care. Appropriate background checks have been carried out on all members of the household. Risk assessments have been established, which are generally effective in minimising risks to children in the home, garden and on outings. However, the risk assessment is not effective in identifying additional risks during the building of a new conservatory. This means that the children's overall safety is not monitored sufficiently to ensure they are safe and secure at all times. The childminder provides a range of quality toys and resources, which is stored appropriately in the playroom, so children can make choices about their own play. Equality and diversity is promoted through a range of resources and events planned throughout the year. Resources are in place to

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the early years provision

reflect different cultures and family settings. These are incorporated in the children's play with sensitive interaction by the childminder.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established positive partnerships with the families of children she cares for. There is an effective process in place to share information about the children's personal care and aspects of the day they have enjoyed, through discussion at the end of the day. The childminder has not cared for children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, she has a clear understanding of the importance of working with parents to ensure that all aspects of their home life and the children's individual needs are respected and valued. The childminder has experience in supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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the early years provision

The childminder attended a range of training opportunities prior to registering as a childminder when she worked as a teaching assistant in an early years setting. She has adapted these skills to provide interesting experiences for the children in her care. She has developed a good network of local childminders and links with the Sure Start Centre for support and to extend experiences for the children. She uses the toy library to provide new opportunities to extend and promote the children's play experiences. She has yet to establish an effective self-evaluation process to identify areas of her practice that work well and aspects to be developed. However, she is aware of training provided by the children's centre. This will enable her to improve her practice and promote outcomes for all children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides an interesting range of resources, activities and outings, such as lunch at the local flying club for the young children in her care. Children are gaining confidence and beginning to take part in new experiences, with support from their carer. Children are considerate and play alongside each other well. They are beginning to understand the impact their actions have on other This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children playing nearby. Children understand the simple rules that are in place to teach them to share and take turns. The childminder is a positive role model. She talks to the children and uses praise to promote good behaviour. This has developed a strong sense of belonging as children know what is expected of them and thrive in the childminder's care. Photographs of the children are used for registration. This promotes the children's sense of belonging.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well supported by the childminder as they concentrate on setting up the farm animals. They are starting to formalise words to make their needs known. The garden is currently out of use due to building works but children enjoy looking at the frogs, newts and tadpoles that have made their home in the pond and damp areas of the garden. Regular walks out to fields to look at the horses and trips to the local park provide children with many opportunities throughout the week for physical exercise and to learn about nature and the wider world. When possible, the childminder uses resources from the toy library to build on the play opportunities outlined in the planning. The toy library farm pack provides books, puppets, animals and floor play games to ensure children's understanding is extended and challenged. The childminder has started to use observations and flexible planning based on the early learning goals to promote children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

However, the monthly plans, detailed in the learning journeys and individual folders, are not effectively linked to reflect the children's achievements and planning for the next steps in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children's personal health is promoted through everyday routines. Children are very familiar with the mid-morning snack as they sit at the table to count and talk about their favourite fruit. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder reminds them to be aware of their own personal safety. For example, to put toys away, so that they do not trip up. Young children are learning social skills, which ensures that they cope with new experiences and extend and develop their skills for 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 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 3 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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