Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 24/10/2012 29/11/2006

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 3 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

 Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They show great confidence and good levels of concentration as they have many opportunities to practise their recently acquired skills.  The childminder has a good understanding of how young children learn through play. She provides a warm and welcoming environment with resources which promote all areas of play, learning and development.  The leadership and management of the setting ensures routines and procedures are in place for the safety of the children and the smooth running of the setting.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The systems for reflecting on practice taking parents views into account is not effective in identifying the strengths and areas for development within the setting.  Information gained through observations and assessments are not regularly shared with parents to enable them to support their children's learning at home.

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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 observed play and activities in the main lounge and playroom.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at records of the children's progress, personal care detail and documents for the safe management of the setting.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2002 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She works from her mother's home using the main lounge and playroom for her childminding. Children do not generally access upstairs other than to use the family bathroom and to sleep. There is a secure garden for outside play. The family have rabbits, guinea pigs and a hamster.

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Information about the setting

The childminder has a Level 3 qualification in Early Years Care and Education, she has experience in working in pre-school settings. Her mother works alongside her as an assistant. There are currently six children on roll, of which four are in the early years age group andthey are all cared for on part time basis. The childminder receives support from the local Sure Start children's centre childminding group.

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

 share information gained through the observations and assessments with parents on a regular basis to enable them to support their children's learning at home.

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

 develop the culture of reflective practice to include the views of parents and use this to identify strengths and priorities for development.

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who attend

The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn through play. She has a level 3 qualification in Early Years Care and Education and has spent many years working in a pre-school. Children are busy and focused as they access a wide range of good quality resources. The childminder links the observations and assessments in the children's learning journeys to the Development Matters document. This shows children are working within their developmental bands and often at a higher level of competence. The young children use language well, they are using complex sentences in their imaginative play; repeating conversations they have heard when telling the dolls about where and when they are going to the shops. They sing and make-up songs as they play. Children's personal and social skills are developed to a high level due to consistent and effective interaction by the childminder and her assistant.

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who attend

The well-documented learning journeys show children take part in a varied range of activities that cover all areas of learning, both in the home and out in the community. The childminder talks to parents on a regular basis. However, the information about observations and assessments are not shared effectively with parents to enable them to assist in the two-year-check and promote children's learning at home.

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who attend

There is a good balance of adult-led activities and spontaneous play. Children clearly enjoy imaginative play so planned activities are based on the children's interests. The childminder takes a craft idea from a popular television programme. The children use a box and a template from a magazine to make a till. They take turns in handling and putting glue on the box and help to stick the paper pattern the right way round. When the project is completed the children have free time to be creative with the glue and other craft materials. This promotes conversation about numbers and the children's experiences and events in the community. The till is used later in the day to role-play shops. Children show great concentration skills. They become fully absorbed in small world play that develops their fine motor skills. They are beginning to count and recognise patterns as they place small items in rows and patterns on the floor. The children's play, conversations

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who attend

and games show good imagination and relate to experiences of the wider world. They are taken to play groups and music sessions to extend their physical skill and experience larger group play. These skills are built on by the childminder to prepare them for nursery and future learning opportunities.

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

Children have developed strong bonds both with their carers and the other children cared for. They show very good behaviour as they play alongside each other and share. They are beginning to understand the impact their actions have on each other as they move out of the way and cooperate in imaginative play situations. The childminder knows the children well. They are familiar with the daily routines and young children settle quickly to sleep. When children are not feeling well they fall asleep on the childminder's lap, showing they feel secure and have a strong sense of belonging.

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

A healthy lifestyle is promoted through the day-to-day activities. The childminder has a sample menu that reflects nutritious and home-cooked food. When children bring a packed lunch they sit at a low-level table and have their lunch set out for them. They receive good verbal and physical support from the childminder as they eat well and can drink competently from a cup. Children are learning about how to care for animals as they help prepare vegetables for the pets in the garden. They talk about the different foods that are good for both the rabbits and themselves, they eat the raw carrots before they get to the garden. Daily routines promote children's understanding of good personal care. They know they must wash their hands after feeding the rabbits to get clean. Potty training is effective as the childminder works with parents to support children's new experiences with lots of praise and some help.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of how to protect children in her care. She is fully aware of the procedures for safeguarding as she has attended training to be the designated person in a group setting. She has information for parents in her policies and procedures and on display. Children are cared for in a safe environment. Detailed risk assessments for both the setting and outings are effective in identifying and minimising risk to children. A listening monitor is used to ensure sleeping children are safe.

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provision

The childminder uses the revised Early Years Foundation Stage documents effectively to plan and monitor the activities she provides for the children. She has close links with the Sure Start children's centre and has accessed training throughout her registration to ensure she maintains a professional approach to all aspects of her practice. Strong partnerships with parents are well-established. The childminder finds out about children new to the setting with a comprehensive 'all about me' form. Parents are encouraged to share children's individual needs and aspects of home. This enables the childminder to build on children's experiences, support and extend their play and learning effectively. The childminder has good links with the local pre-school and school. She has supported many children through the transition to new settings. She is developing links to ensure children who are moving on to pre-school are well supported in all aspects of the

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provision

The childminder has an overview of the strengths of the setting. She has amended her practice to meet the recommendations made at the last inspection. The views of parents are sought through a questionnaire and she has discussions with the children about what they would like to do in the future. However, an effective system to coordinate this information to provide an effective evaluation process, and to set targets for continuous improvements, are not fully implemented.

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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 EY248200 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 762954 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 4 Number of children on roll 6

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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: 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

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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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