Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY439010 Inspection date 15/08/2012 Inspector Martha Darkwah

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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 in their 13th floor, one-bedroom flat in the Islington area, in the London Borough of Islington. The home is accessible via stairs and lift. There is an open plan kitchen, lounge with one bedroom used for children to rest. However, she is not permitted to use the balcony. There is no garden for outside play. Children are taken to local playgroups parks and playgrounds.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three under eight years; of these, three children may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding one child in the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The childminder's husband is registered to work with her as an assistant. She speaks Spanish fluently.

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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 make good progress and planning successfully covers most aspects of their learning. The childminder provides an inclusive and welcoming environment where children's individual needs are met effectively. Overall, the assessment systems for children's learning are effective. Good working partnerships with parents ensure that children receive continuity of care. This is the first inspection since registration and the childminder is striving to develop her practice through reflection and is undertaking training to support the continuous improvement of the service. She has a good capacity for continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 strengthen the process for observing and monitoring children's progress towards the early learning goals, so that this can be shared with parents more effectively  help children to improve creativity, by allowing further opportunities to represent their own ideas rather than adult-directed work with an 'end product'. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Measures for safeguarding children are good because the childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection issues and knows where to seek guidance. She undertakes detailed risk assessments for each type of outing and for her home. Good arrangements are in place to prevent the spread of infection and the childminder holds a valid first aid certificate that enables her to deal appropriately with any accidents.

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the early years provision

The childminder is motivated and enthusiastic about her work. She reviews her practice through an effective self-evaluation process and identifies her further training needs. This helps her to ensure continuous improvement in all aspects of her provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises the learning environment well to give children of all ages easy access to a good range of toys and resources. Resources are organised attractively in pull-out drawers, boxes and on low-level baskets to enable children to see what is available. This enables children to self-select and make choices in their play. The resources are of good quality and support children's learning well.

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the early years provision

The childminder enjoys a good relationship with parents. She develops effective systems to keep them informed about their children's care and learning. Successful procedures ensure they also receive information about the childminding arrangements, children's progress reports and policies and procedures. Parents' views are sought soon after the placement starts; they report that they already witness improvement in their young children's progress, such as in their confidence, language and their social skills. The childminder is keen to work alongside other agencies as and when the need arises in order to support children's individual needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a service that is inclusive for all children. She welcomes children from all backgrounds and of all abilities and helps them to develop a sense of belonging. Children are learning about wider society through a range of resources and activities used to promote their understanding of diversity. The childminder ensures all children are included, feel valued and are able to enjoy participating in play and activities to their full potential.

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and outcomes for children

Children are calm and happy in the care of the childminder. They show in their calm body language that they feel safe and secure in her care and they clearly enjoy attending. As a result, children are confident and feel at home in the homely learning environment. Details of children's achievements and progress with examples of their creative activities are in folders and scrap books. The childminder uses systems to observe and monitor children's progress, by using photographs This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and written observations. These include children's next steps, however, the records currently do not show parents the minder's evaluation and links to the areas of learning. She uses this information to plan for children's individual learning needs. She also takes account of children's interests, such as music. For example, she provides a varied range of instruments, which enable children to explore sound.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides encouragement and learning opportunities for children that help them develop many skills for the future. She actively promotes children's communication skills by talking to them as they play. Children's creativity is encouraged well however, some of the arts and craft do not reflect this well, as they primarily show adult-led activities that have an 'end product'. Children snuggle up to her to look at books. She sustains their interest with her animated and dramatic delivery of the story and by asking questions and offering suggestions. For example, she extends story times to dramatic creations such as face paintings, wearing ears and tails made out of paper to bring the story to life. Children excitedly and proudly waggle their 'made up tails' giggling happily.

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and outcomes for children

Children use paper and writing materials and enjoy making marks, knowing that writing has meaning. The childminder praises children's efforts, repeats the words, and encourage children to think critically and problem solve as they complete puzzles and build complex towers. They learn mathematical language as they talk about shapes, count and listen to counting songs. They have some opportunities to find out about and learn to use information and communication technology and use interactive drums, and glide helicopters via remote control skilfully around the room.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder takes children out every day to extend their knowledge and understanding of the wider world. These activities include plenty of opportunities to explore different materials. Furthermore, children also experience a varied range of outings. For example, to museums and the park with a recreational area; this helps to develop children's physical skills and knowledge of the local community. During such trips, they see farm animals and learn about natural things.

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and outcomes for children

Children are adopting healthy lifestyles. They learn about healthy eating as the childminder provides fresh fruits and frequent drinks and they enjoy regular fresh air and exercise. Regular visits to local playgrounds enhance children's physical development and risk awareness. Children behave well because the childminder is consistent in her approach and enables them to make choices in their play and routine. They are developing a good awareness of their own safety through reminders to be careful as they play and through regular fire drills. 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 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 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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