Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY411398 Inspection date 08/06/2012 Inspector Susan Parker

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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 2010. She lives with her husband and two children aged four years and nine months old in a three storey house in Stevenage in Hertfordshire. The childminder uses part of the ground floor, first floor and a child's bedroom and bathroom on the second floor for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom, no more than one may be in the early years age range and of whom, none may be under one year old. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to the local school to collect children and takes them to the local park. The family has fish as pets. There are currently three children on roll in the early years age range.

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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 display an adequate level of achievement in their learning, as a result of the childminder's provision of suitable and sustainable resources, activities and experiences. The childminder is beginning to develop observations and assessments, in order to evaluate children's progress towards the early learning goals. Children are beginning to develop an understanding of risks and are learning how to keep themselves safe. Partnerships between the childminder, parents, carers and other settings are adequate in sharing information to support children's welfare, learning and development. The childminder is developing a system of self- evaluation.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve systems of observations and assessments to inform planning for each child's continuing development  improve the systems for self-evaluation and quality assurance to include the views of all users.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a satisfactory awareness of safeguarding children. Her policies and procedures reflect the Local Safeguarding Children Board requirements and she is aware of her role and responsibilities should she have a concern. She risk assesses the use of the three floors of the premises, any trips or outings and keeps a record of these checks. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is beginning to evaluate the effectiveness of her provision. She discusses areas of her practice with other childminders, in order to gain knowledge of good practice issues. She is beginning to develop some plans to make improvements to her childminding provision, which is based on adequate analysis. However, the views of children and their parents are not currently included in her self-evaluation process. Therefore, the childminder does not ensure that she fully

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the early years provision

meets the expectations of all users. The childminder is motivated to seek further improvement to her provision of welfare, learning and development for early years children. Partnerships with parents, carers and other early years settings are satisfactory. Also information is shared on children's welfare in a confidential way. The childminder is beginning to develop partnerships with other early years settings, in order to improve the sharing of information regarding children's progress towards the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

The childminder adequately supports diversity and tackles unfair discrimination. She uses appropriate explanations to address any questions children have about the different backgrounds of those who attend her setting. The childminder also provides a selection of dolls, books and television programmes to help children to recognise and value the similarities and differences in themselves and the people in the community around them. She takes reasonable steps to ensure that all children can participate equally in activities. Toys are stored at a low-level, so that children can access and choose these for themselves. The childminder takes adequate steps to identify any achievement gaps through observing and talking with the children and by providing suitable experiences to enable them to make satisfactory progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children are generally content, settled and willing to participate in the suitable choice of activities and resources provided. The childminder is beginning to record her observations of children's activities in a learning journey. Currently, this is in the form of photographs with annotations showing what the children are doing in the pictures. However, these do not show how effectively children are making progress towards the early learning goals nor do they highlight the next steps in their learning, in order to fully support their development. Children display an average level of skills in relation to their age and abilities, although, no comparison is made in relation to their starting points, in order to effectively assess the extent of their progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children make some choices about the activities and toys provided within the setting. They occasionally share responsibility by tidying away toys, when encouraged to so by the childminder. Children's behaviour is generally acceptable and most of them are developing an understanding of how to stay safe. Most children are learning that unacceptable behaviour may put others at risk of harm. The childminder uses appropriate methods for managing children's behaviour, such as verbally reminding them that their behaviour may hurt someone and giving This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 them appropriate opportunities to reflect on their behaviour and the impact it has on others.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to display an understanding of leading healthy lifestyles. They adopt appropriate personal hygiene routines, with reminders from the childminder. Most children show a developing understanding about the importance of fresh air and exercise and have regular opportunities to engage in physical activities both indoors and outside. They regularly negotiate the stairs of the childminder's three storey house to move from the kitchen and lounge down to the playroom, toilet and garden. Children generally display confidence and self-esteem within the setting where they show that they have a sense of belonging. They are beginning to form positive relationships with each other and the childminder. They play together and are beginning to develop an understanding of sharing and turn taking. The childminder reminds them that they have to take care when jumping onto the bean bag. They are beginning to display some co-operation skills and are

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and outcomes for children

learning to be aware of their friends' safety when playing together. Overall, children display appropriate skills in communication, literacy, numeracy and information and communication technology. Most children display the necessary skills they require, in order to make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. 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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