Childminder in HertfordshireOfsted inspection, 11 Jun 2012

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY439024 Inspection date 11/06/2012 Inspector Susan Ennis

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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 registered in 2011. She lives with her husband and three children aged 18 months, four and six years in the Great Ashby area of Stevenage, Hertfordshire, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole ground floor and one bedroom of the house are used for childminding and there is access to a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care on each weekday during term time. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum three children under eight years at any one time, one of whom may be in the early years age range. She currently has two children on roll in this age group. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years.

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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 offers a safe, secure and welcoming environment in which all children thrive and where their development is consistently promoted. Her flexible planning ensures that the children's interests are followed and that they enjoy their time with her. She builds trusting relationships with parents, promoting a continuity of care for all concerned. Through reflecting on her practice, the childminder is gaining a picture of her strengths and areas for improvement. She demonstrates a high level of commitment to her childminding and is enthusiastic about making and sustaining improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 analyse further the use of observations and assessments to demonstrate how the next steps in children's progress are incorporated into planning  develop further the use of reflective practice to more effectively involve the views of parents and users of the setting.

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the early years provision

Effective safeguarding policies and procedures are in place to ensure that children are well protected. For example, the childminder has a detailed knowledge of child protection and has the required contact numbers in place for dealing with concerns should they arise. She ensures that anyone coming into contact with the children is suitable to do so and that all visitors to the premises are recorded for future reference if needed. The childminder has a high level of awareness regarding children's safety when out and about. Children are consistently made aware of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safety precautions required as they discuss and practise road safety awareness. The childminder also carries cards containing a photograph of each child and their parents' contact numbers, protecting children's safety if an incident or accident were to occur.

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the early years provision

A close and trusting partnership with parents and carers ensures that all relevant information is shared and a consistent approach is given. Daily interaction, use of a daily diary and the regular sharing of children's learning journals ensure that parents are fully informed about their child's day. The childminder also sends photographs and videos via her mobile phone to reassure parents that children are enjoying the activities taking place. She effectively liaises with other settings attended by the children to ensure consistency of care and progress. The childminder helps prepare the children for starting at pre-school by encouraging them to be more independent with tasks, such as putting on their own coat. She ensures that she is nearby to offer a helping hand if needed and praises the children enthusiastically when they manage by themselves.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive understanding of anti-discriminatory practice, enabling her to provide a service which is inclusive for all children and families. She works closely with parents to ensure that she understands each child's background, needs and beliefs. Children's individual development is skilfully promoted because the childminder has effective procedures and resources in place to monitor and stimulate their progress. Storage boxes are labelled with a picture of the contents to encourage the children to self-select what they want to play with. The childminder also makes effective use of the local toy library to add variety and interest to her range of resources.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a genuine enjoyment for her work. She is committed to improving the outcomes for the children and works with other childminders to exchange ideas and good practice. The childminder consistently evaluates her daily practice and is proactive in making changes where she feels they are required. She reacts positively to the inspection process and plans to use the self-evaluation form as an ongoing tool to highlight her strengths and areas for improvement. However, as parents are not fully encouraged to share their views, this information is not yet used to enhance reflective practice.

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and outcomes for children

Children are consistently offered a wide range of opportunities that support them in making good progress across the areas of learning and development. Good quality information is initially gained from parents at the start of the placement, telling the childminder about the children's home lives, likes and dislikes. This information is then used to feed into children's initial assessments. Each child has a learning journal in which the childminder makes effective use of observations, photographs and assessments to enable her to build on what they know and plan their next stages of development. The childminder flexibly plans activities around the children's interests and free-play choices. For example, when children choose to play with the wooden doll's house, the childminder moves this onto the floor to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 make it more easily accessible. She then develops the children's imagination skills

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and outcomes for children

as they knock on the front door and are reminded to ask who it is before letting anyone in. The childminder uses her knowledge of child development to plan activities that progress children's learning and stimulate their ideas. They develop their creative skills as they manipulate play dough and use the large variety of tools to make their designs. They use their problem solving as they compare the big and small dinosaur figures and develop their understanding of the natural world as they look at ladybirds hiding in the bushes.

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and outcomes for children

Children's emotional development is well promoted as they develop secure and trusting relationships with the childminder and their peers. The childminder sensitively helps the children to adjust to changes in their lives, such as the arrival of new siblings. A wall chart displaying a range of faces with different expressions also helps children to understand and express how they are feeling. The childminder acts as a positive role model and assists the children in learning and making the right decisions. She sensitively helps them to learn and understand about the society in which they live. For example, celebrations of festivals are built into the planning. Discussions and resources, such as books and play figures, also improve children's knowledge of the wider world.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is actively promoted as the childminder takes effective steps to minimise the spread of infection. They develop a positive attitude to a healthy lifestyle as they dispose of their rubbish in the pedal bin. They are learning the positive effects of physical exercise as they enjoy playing in the garden and dancing to action rhymes. Children are becoming aware of their own safety and that of others. They actively participate in practising the fire drill and the childminder effectively uses the small world fire station to reinforce their understanding. 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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