Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12/10/2012 25/04/2012

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: Met How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

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This provision is good

 The childminder knows the children very well and is attentive and caring. Children settle well and form secure emotional attachments.  Effective routines and procedures ensure children's good health and safety. Children demonstrate a good understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe, responding positively to guidance from the childminder.  Partnerships with parents are strong and ensure children receive the support they need.  The childminder supports children in developing an understanding of good personal skills and an awareness of leading a healthy lifestyle.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 Planning does not fully include children's next steps in learning which challenge and extend the child's current learning and development  Children have regular opportunities for outdoor play but the childminder does not currently provide a range of resources to fully cover all areas of learning and development.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are scheduled:  at least once in every inspection cycle. The current cycle ends on 31 July 2016  more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged as inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage; or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised for inspection where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spent the majority of inspection time with the childminder observing her and the children she was caring for.  The inspector sampled children's information and development records.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector had discussion with the childminder and joint observations took place throughout the visit. Safeguarding was discussed with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector gathered parents' views through letters they had left with the childminder.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2010. She lives with her three children aged four, six and eight years in Chiswell Green, St Albans, Hertfordshire. All areas of the ground floor maisonette, with the exception of the main bedroom, are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has a pet cat and dog. There are currently four children on roll, two of whom are in the early years age range, all attend part-time either before or after school. The childminder is also able to offer care to children during the school day. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 extend further the range of resources in the outdoor environment to provide experiences across all areas of learning and development

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 develop planning further to include children's next steps which challenge and extend the child's current learning and development.

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who attend

Children make good progress with their learning and development while in the care of the childminder. Children have access to a wide range of challenging, stimulating opportunities and activities. These help them to make good progress in all areas of development and learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The children feel secure and settled enough to explore, select and play with resources of their choice. Children have daily opportunities for play outdoors, however, currently the range of resources outdoors does not fully provide for all areas of learning and development if younger children were attending.

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who attend

Children develop strong social skills from an early age and play contentedly alongside each other. The childminder has a competent understanding of how to support young children's learning. She is particularly successful at developing children's communication and language skills. For example, she regularly engages them in conversation, discussing what they did at school that day and their family plans for the weekend. There are a wide range of books and phonics games to develop early literacy skills. Children practise their early writing skills as they use a broad range of writing resources. The childminder supports children in their learning, allowing them to initiate play and by stepping in when they require help or encouragement. For example, she remains close by as children learn to safely use small hammers and nails in construction play.

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who attend

The childminder has a secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and is able to provide a range of activities and experiences that cover all the seven areas of learning. She makes good use of information from parents to plan and provide a range of activities which interest children and provide them with appropriate challenge. However, currently planning does not fully reflect individual children's next steps in their learning and development.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children are happy and settled in the warm and caring family environment. The childminder develops secure attachments with all the children helping them to feel safe and valued in her care. Systems for settling in new children are well thought through and effectively reduce their anxiety and fear. Children clearly enjoy the childminder's company and form good relationships with her own children. All children include each other in their play, sharing resources and taking turns. The childminder is a good role model and offers praise and encouragement to help further develop children's self-esteem. She listens carefully to children and is responsive to their expressed wishes. She provides children with consistency and continuity of care, following their home routines and so giving children a strong sense of security and self confidence.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children feel comfortable and secure with the childminder. She gathers information from the parents about children's likes, dislikes and their routines. Children are familiar with the routine, following the house rules such as taking off shoes and hanging up coats on their return from school. Behaviour is good and the childminder provides activities that encourage all children to cooperate and work together. For example, they respond willingly to her request that they clear and help to prepare the table for dinner. They show care and concern for animals as they learn how to correctly stroke and handle the family pets.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children are encouraged to make healthy choices about the food they eat and are offered a varied selection of fruit and vegetables in their diet. Children sit sociably at the dining table for meals, carefully supervised by the childminder. They are supported in developing good self-care skills. For example, they know to wash their hands before eating and after touching the pets. Older children manage their own hygiene and personal needs, visiting the bathroom independently. Children develop an understanding of healthy lifestyles. For example, they walk to and from school with the childminder each day and regularly use equipment in the garden and local park.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of her role and responsibility with regard to safeguarding the children in her care. She has attended safeguarding training and is aware of the procedure to follow if she has any concerns. Children are protected in the event of having an accident or being ill because the childminder has current first aid training and appropriate policies and procedures are in place. The childminder gives a high priority to children's safety and well-being. Her home is safe and secure and she regularly undertakes risk assessments. The childminder is very effective in teaching children about safety. For example, they learn how to manage potential dangers when out and about with her, such as how to cross the road safely. The childminder has a good understanding of the learning and development requirements and meets the needs of older children well. She understands the different requirements

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provision

for younger children, which will be useful when caring for that age group in the future. She forms very effective partnerships with parents. She obtains information about children's needs, preferences and routines before joining the setting to inform her planning and help meet their needs. Parents make many positive comments in their reference letters. These include the high level of care provided above and beyond their expectations and the strong bond developed between their child and the childminder. They also state they would highly recommend her to others. The childminder understands the importance and is aware of her responsibility to develop partnerships with other settings the children attend to provide consistency in their care and learning.

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provision

The childminder is committed to improving her service. Through self-evaluation she takes into account the views of children and their parents and this is used to support monitoring and assessment. The childminder is able to identify areas of strength as well as areas that she would like to develop further. She strives to improve her knowledge through talking to other childminders and accessing relevant training. The childminder keeps up-to-date by developing her knowledge of the revised Early Years Foundation Stage.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Satisfactory Satisfactory provision is performing less well than expectations in one or more of the key areas. It requires improvement in order to be good. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be inspected again within 12 months of the date of this inspection.

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Grade Judgement Description

Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY410454 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 817788 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 4 Number of children on roll 4

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises that are usually their own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

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Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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