Childminder in HertfordshireOfsted inspection, 12 Nov 2012

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12/11/2012 Not Applicable

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early years provision

This inspection: 1 Previous inspection: Not Applicable 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 1 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 1

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This provision is outstanding

 The childminder has an excellent knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how children learn. As a result, all aspects of children's care, learning and development are significantly enhanced.  Highly comprehensive systems are in place for observation, assessment and planning. The childminder offers inspiring activities which support children in learning new things and helps them to make as much progress as they can.  Superb relationships with parents and partnerships with other professionals are firmly embedded in practice. As a result, children are extremely well supported through times of change and transition.  All children are extremely confident, settled and fully engaged in what they do. They are highly motivated, ask questions and are active learners.

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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 activities within the childminder's two downstairs rooms and kitchen.  The inspector had discussions with the childminder.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records and planning documentation.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at and discussed with the childminder her self-evaluation and improvement plan.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2012. The childminder lives with her partner and two children age 10 and six years in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire. The whole of the property is registered for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a pet dog.

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Information about the setting

There are currently three children on roll in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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

 develop further the outdoor learning environment to enhance children's play experiences.

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who attend

Children develop and learn and make exceptionally good progress across all areas of learning because the childminder provides rich and varied experiences. The childminder has an excellent knowledge of the revised Early Years Foundation Stage. She implements this framework extremely successfully to promote the learning of all children so they flourish. Highly effective systems of observation and assessment are used to accurately monitor children's progress as they work towards the early learning goals. The childminder undertakes baseline assessments, which allow her to know children's starting points when they first start attending, so that she can plan to develop their knowledge further. The childminder demonstrates an excellent understanding of the children and knows exactly where each child's development is against the age and stage bands in order to help them make rapid progress. The childminder has a very good understanding about the 'two year

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who attend

check' and has already implemented systems to share with parents showing them children's progress and areas for development.

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who attend

The children are extremely well settled and they thoroughly enjoy taking part in a varied range of worthwhile and stimulating activities, both indoors and outdoors. Children make wide use of the outdoors, enjoying the childminder's garden and trips to the local park, where they learn to use the slide and negotiate climbing equipment. However, there is scope to further develop the outdoor learning environment to enhance children's play experiences. They have abundant opportunities to express themselves creatively and through imaginative play. Children successfully develop their spoken language as the childminder interacts sensitively with the children at their level, asking meaningful open questions to skilfully challenge and extend their learning. She listens intently to what children say and do, ensuring children feel valued and boosting their self-esteem and confidence. For example, children are keen to share their special learning journey file with

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who attend

her. They delight in looking at the photographs, recalling in great detail the activities or outing and names of their friends. Children develop excellent understanding that text carries meaning through the highly effective use of books, labels and signs. They have ample opportunities to successfully develop their creative skills through an abundance of materials, such as paints, crayons and pencils. The childminder skilfully extends children's learning as she introduces simple mathematical concepts of shape and size. For example, when playing with a wooden shapes puzzle she encourages the children to talk about the colour, shape and size of the pieces they are using.

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who attend

The childminder works very closely with parents from the outset obtaining information and knowledge about children's individual needs, routines and home lives. The childminder is extremely dedicated in her role and when she identifies any additional needs, she communicates immediately with parents. She works with them to plan exceptionally well- targeted next steps and strategies to support and meet these needs. Parents are fully involved with their children's learning and access information which is displayed attractively within the childminder's home. This information includes suggestions of activities parents may be interested in continuing to consolidate learning at home. The childminder has excellent partnerships with parents and ensures she is very accessible for sharing information by providing them with regular meetings. These are offered to parents both at the outset and also for ongoing discussions about their children's individual

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

The childminder is an extremely positive role model and builds warm relationships with children, which helps them to form secure attachments. Children behave exceptionally well in the setting. This is because the childminder offers clear explanations and involves the children in decision making. For example, the childminder gives children choices in their play and activity choice. The intuitive ability of the childminder to positively engage in everything the children say and do enables them to feel valued. This further encourages children to become active and inquisitive learners. Regular outings to the local park, farm and library provide ample opportunity for the children to find out about and identify features in their local community and the wider world. Children are learning about their own and other cultures and beliefs because they celebrate birthdays and festivals together. Children show a clear sense of security and feel very safe within the

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

childminder's care. Children have their own peg with their photos, and their own named bags with colourful characters printed on them. This promotes their sense of belonging.

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

Children are gaining an excellent understanding of the importance of following good hygiene practices as they take their lead from the childminder. They enjoy fresh air and exercise on a daily basis and are able to make excellent choices about whether they play indoors or outdoors. Children benefit from being provided with a well-balanced diet which takes into account their individual dietary needs and requirements. The childminder gives the highest priority to children's safety. She has rigorous written risk assessments in place which cover aspects of the home, indoors and outdoors and ensures children's safety when they are on trips and outings. This means that children are exceptionally well protected and have an understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, when out and about, children learn how to cross the road and use equipment in the park safely. The childminder has already established strong links with pre-schools some of the children

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

have recently started to attend, and is extremely passionate about sharing information with other providers. This very effectively supports transitions and contributes to children receive high levels of consistency with their care and learning.

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provision

The childminder gives the highest priority to ensuring she offers a high level of quality care and excellence practice to children and families. She continually evaluates and rigorously reviews her procedures and documentation, and this helps to ensure that constant improvements are identified and effectively undertaken. For example, she carries out audits on the resources she provides and the effectiveness of her inclusive practice. She undertakes further professional training and works closely with others to develop and refresh her knowledge. For example, the childminder attends early years forum meetings in order to facilitate highly successful partnership working. She uses the self-evaluation form as a working document to identify priorities for change and monitor impact, and takes into account the views of parents, gained through questionnaires, to further enhance her evaluations. Parents are extremely complimentary. For example, one parent

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provision

comments 'She goes above and beyond and really cares for my children. I couldn't ask for more.' Another writes, 'She has a very warm and caring attitude towards our daughter and that is the thing that really makes us happy.' The childminder has highly successful partnerships with parents and other professionals which support children's individual needs superbly well.

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provision

The childminder has an excellent knowledge of local safeguarding procedures which means that children are safeguarded and extremely well protected in the setting. The childminder attends regular safeguarding training and is well informed on child protection issues and the procedures to follow should she have a safeguarding concern. Safeguarding documentation is robust and is monitored to ensure that it reflects and keeps up-to-date with current information. All household members are suitably vetted. Children are kept very safe whilst in the childminder's care because she observes and supervises the children extremely well. The childminder is highly skilled in evaluating and monitoring planning and assessment procedures. This ensures she has current knowledge of children's individual progress as they work towards the early learning goals. She shows expert knowledge of the early years requirements and how to meet her responsibilities in

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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 EY447265 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 797904 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 3

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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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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