Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15/11/2012 23/03/2011

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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

 The childminder knows the children very well and is attentive and caring. Children settle well and form secure emotional attachments.  Children are well behaved. They play cooperatively and show consideration for each other, responding positively to guidance from the childminder.  Children talk regularly and confidently with the childminder and each other. They enjoy favourite books, songs and rhymes together.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is scope to improve the range of outdoor resources to cover all areas of children's learning and development.  Self-evaluation has yet to be used to fully monitor all areas of the provision. Targets for development are beginning to be identified, however, improvements have yet to be fully implemented to ensure children benefit from improved practice in all areas.

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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 gathered parent's views through letters they had left with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector had discussions with the childminder throughout the visit. Safeguarding was discussed with the childminder.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and three children of school age in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground and first floor of the house are used for childminding and there is a garden for outdoor play. The property is accessed through the use of three large steps to the front door. The family has a collection of fish in an indoor fish tank and pet rabbits kept in the garden. There are currently five children on roll, three of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and 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 outdoors 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 further the process of self-evaluation to fully monitor all areas of the provision and ensure planned actions to overcome weaknesses are concerted and effective.

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who attend

The childminder has a good 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. These help children to make good progress in their learning and development. She makes effective use of information from parents to plan and provide a range of activities which interest children and provide them with realistic challenge. The childminder has a sound understanding about the 'two year check' and has already implemented systems to share with parents showing children's progress and areas for development. 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.

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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 makes effective use of spontaneous opportunities to extend children's learning. For example, children express interest in the arrival of the recycling collection vehicle. Children listen attentively as she explains what will happen to the paper and bottles collected. They ask questions and demonstrate an understanding of the responses given by the childminder. She promotes children's language skills well, through involvement in their play. She talks to them about what they are doing. She listens intently to what children say and do, ensuring children feel valued and boosting their self-esteem and confidence. The childminder shows children how to pronounce some words by responding and repeating what they say in the correct way. They enjoy snuggling up

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who attend

together to share a favourite book, establishing children's interest in reading for pleasure and purpose. The childminder skilfully extends children's learning as she introduces simple mathematical concepts of shape and size. For example, when playing with a wooden sorting abacus she encourages the children to talk about the colour, shape and size of the pieces they are using.

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

The childminder provides a warm, family environment where all children feel welcomed and valued. She develops secure attachments with all the children helping them to feel safe and secure in her care. Systems for settling in new children effectively reduce their anxiety and fear. Children clearly enjoy the childminder's company and form good relationships with her own children. Supported by the attentive childminder, children are learning how to share resources and take turns. She manages children's behaviour well and creates an environment where everyone is encouraged to be kind and helpful. The childminder promotes children's growing independence and cooperation. She asks children if they would like to help with little tasks, such as helping to tidy the toys away before lunch. 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

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

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. The childminder understands the importance of supporting children when the time comes to move to other settings.

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

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. Children benefit from being provided with a well-balanced diet which takes into account their individual dietary needs and requirements. They are developing good self- care skills as, supported by the childminder, they learn to wash their hands before eating and after touching the pets. The childminder gives a high priority to children's safety and well-being. Her home is safe and secure as she undertakes daily checks and regular risk assessments. The childminder is effective in teaching children about safety as they learn how to manage potential dangers. For example, when out and about, children learn how to cross the road and use equipment in the park safely. Children move freely and safely around the home and have good access to a wide range of imaginative play equipment

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

and craft resources when they wish to make changes in their play. 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 demonstrates a clear understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has developed policies and procedures to follow which underpin her service and help ensure the well-being of the children. The childminder shares these with parents so that they understand her responsibilities. She has a clear understanding of safeguarding issues and is aware of the possible indicators which children may display. The childminder understands how to report any concerns about a child's welfare to the appropriate agencies. Children are protected in the event of having an accident or being ill because the childminder has a current first aid certificate.

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provision

The childminder 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. One parent writes, 'We believe that our son has taken a quantum-leap forward these past few months since he has been in your regular care'. They also state they would highly recommend her to others. These strong partnerships with parents support children's individual needs well. 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. Actions and recommendations from the previous inspection have been successfully addressed. For example, the range of resources and activities to reflect the diversity has been expanded. She is able to identify areas of strength as well as areas that she would like to develop further. However, systems for self-evaluation are in the early stages and are not fully effective in supporting ongoing improvements to the provision for children. She strives to improve her knowledge through talking to other childminders and accessing relevant training. The childminder very effectively supports the individual learning and development needs of the children in her care. She 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 EY249288 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 819720 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 5

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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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