Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23/11/2012 Not Applicable

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 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 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

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This provision is good

 The childminder keeps children safe by being rigorous in her practice and carrying out regular risk assessments.  Children enjoy happy, close bonds with the childminder and this helps them to feel settled and secure.  The childminder's plans meet the needs of children well so that they are keen, motivated to learn, and make good progress.  Children behave well because the childminder manages their behaviour by using positive methods, such as praise, to encourage good behaviour.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The garden is not used to maximum potential to support children's learning across all areas of learning which means that there are missed opportunities for the enhancement of children's 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 observed the childminder working with children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector examined relevant documentation used by the childminder to support children's learning and safety.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to parents and took their views into account during the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in October 2011. She lives with her husband and three children aged nine years, five years and three years, respectively. The property is situated in North Mymms, near Hatfield, Hertfordshire and is close to local amenities. All areas of the property are included in the registration. There is a large, secure rear garden available for outdoor play. The family has a dog as a pet. The childminder has four children in the early years range on roll, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She visits local schools to take and collect children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is open all-year-round from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday except for family holidays.

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

 use the garden more effectively to support children's development in the seven areas of learning by, for example, utilising natural resources to secure number skills and develop understanding of the world.

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who attend

Children make good progress because the childminder plans carefully to meet their needs. Planning is meticulous and is based on the seven areas of learning, children's starting points, their skills and interests. This means that activities provided are challenging and engage the children well. There is a good balance between child-initiated and adult-led activities.

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who attend

Children have good sequencing skills as they put daily events on cards in order. The childminder extends their learning further by relating the events to their own lives. Children draw skilfully as they observe real life objects and carefully cut out their drawings using scissors. The childminder engages the children in conversation by asking open questions, which supports their language development. She gives them time to think and respond so that they can construct their answers well. Children operate technology well as they work through literacy and numeracy games on child laptops. They love to comment as they hear their favourite stories being read. They write their names independently and know many letters and the sounds that they make. Children use a wide range of physical skills in the garden as they ride on toys, go down the slide and swing. They also visit the local indoor soft play centre where they develop their skills further by climbing, balancing

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who attend

and find different ways of moving around. However, the garden is not being used to its full potential to support children across all the areas of learning. Consequently, there is scope to utilise the natural environment of the garden to enhance children's development. The childminder maintains good assessment information on children in her care. A learning journey, which contains regular observations, photographs of children's skills and next steps for learning, is kept for each child and the information is used effectively to form individual plans for children.

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

Children are articulate, confident and secure because they have a good relationship with the childminder and she takes care to meet their needs well. They concentrate well on tasks and are eager to learn because activities meet their needs and the environment is organised well.

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

Children learn how to cross the road safely because the childminder talks to them about looking out for cars while out on trips. She teaches them how to be safe while indoors by having house rules, such as not to run inside the house because they may slip over. Children have a good understanding of the need to 'wash the germs away' as they clean their hands independently at appropriate times. Pictures on the wall remind children of how to wash their hands properly. They learn to take care of their resources by tidying away toys after play.

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

Children enjoy making their own sandwiches at snack time and help to prepare fruit for snacks independently. They know that fruit is good for them and make healthy choices. The childminder provides a balanced menu, which is displayed in the hall for parents to see. She caters for special dietary needs. Children get fresh air each day as they use the garden to run, swing and slide and use a range of small equipment to throw, catch, and bat.

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

Children learn to cope at school because they attend the local indoor soft play centre where they get used to being away from the home environment. They learn good pre- school skills as they concentrate and engage in activities. The childminder has good links with the local schools and often finds out about work being done at school so that she can continue children's learning in her home.

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

The childminder has high expectations of children's behaviour and children behave well. They show respect for the environment and each other. The childminder organises the environment carefully so that children make constructive choices. She is fair in her behaviour management and always talks to the children calmly, using praise to encourage them to behave well.

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

Children learn about diversity because the childminder talks to them about special events, such as Diwali, where the children make fireflies from glow sticks and plastic bottles to celebrate the festival of light. Children use a wide range of books with multicultural characters that supports their understanding and acceptance of difference further.

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provision

The childminder is rigorous in her approach to children's safety. She has a robust collection of policies and procedures and has implemented them into her practice so that children are protected from harm. She is aware of and understands her responsibility to ensure that she meets safeguarding and welfare and learning and development requirements. The childminder has all relevant insurance, parental consents, and records to keep children safe. Consequently, children are safeguarded effectively.

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provision

The childminder is aware of the need to form good partnerships with other professionals involved in the care and learning of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities for advice and support. She works well with parents and keeps them informed of their child's development each day. They have good opportunities to be involved in their child's care and learning.

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provision

The childminder thinks carefully about her provision and has recognised some areas for development. For example, the childminder plans to attend a course on the seven areas of learning and to study for a National Vocational Qualification in Home-based Childcare to improve her skills and support children's learning effectively. The childminder has good capacity to help children to make progress in all areas of learning.

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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 EY435537 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 788543 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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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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