Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18/12/2012 09/02/2011

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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

 A high priority is placed on supporting children's language and literacy development as well as their skills in numeracy. The childminder effectively supports the children to make good progress in these areas of learning.  The childminder prioritises the health and safety of the children in her care. She continually assesses and minimises risks to children so that the children feel safe and secure in the setting.  The childminder promotes children's self-esteem and confidence through her use of praise and encouragement.  Children are very well supported to acquire the skills and ability to learn effectively, and be ready for the next stages in their learning and future transitions. They are provided with rich and varied experiences outside of the setting which include attending a music session and toddler groups as well as visits to the library and park.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 Parents are not able to make a contribution to their children's learning record to support children's ongoing progress.

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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 in the main play room.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector and the childminder shared conversations at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at professional development records, a range of policies and other documentation.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents from information provided by the childminder.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2010 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and three children in Ware, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the home is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder attends toddler groups and takes the children to weekly music sessions. She visits the library and park.

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Information about the setting

There are currently seven children on roll; of these three children are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder is able to provide care on weekdays during term time and during the school holidays.

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

 involve parents more fully in their children's learning by giving parents the opportunity to contribute to their child's learning record to improve knowledge of children's ongoing learning needs.

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who attend

The childminder places a priority on supporting children's language and literacy development as well as their skills in numeracy. The children make good progress in these important areas of learning. The childminder has taken the time to ensure that the toys and resources used by the children are accessible and suitable for their age and stage of development. Children's independence is successfully promoted as they are able to make choices about what they play with. The childminder provides a stimulating range of activities tailored to the interests and needs of each child.

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who attend

The childminder and children enjoy looking at books together. The childminder selects a book about Christmas with a story about a snowman. The childminder reads to the children and ensures that they are actively participating by asking them about the pictures. The childminder listens to and interacts well with children to foster their language and communication skills. She models new words as well as repeating the words the children are attempting to say thereby reinforcing the words for the children. The children listen with interest and repeat some of the words that the childminder says. The children are supported to learn new words and to increase their vocabulary. The children are interested in books and have well-developed language and communication skills for their age. The childminder successfully ensures that the children are developing early reading skills; consequently they are being helped to acquire the necessary skills and a positive

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who attend

disposition towards learning. The childminder is committed to ensuring that children are ready to benefit when starting pre-school and school. The childminder skilfully exploits the opportunity of making lunch to explore and reinforce the children's understanding of number and shape. The childminder asks the children if they would like their sandwiches cut into triangles and the children respond by requesting rectangles. They watch carefully as the childminder cuts the sandwiches into rectangles. The children can identify and name basic two dimensional shapes including squares, triangles and rectangles. The process of preparing lunch also involves discussion about number; a cucumber was cut into eight pieces and the children correctly calculated that if one child had two pieces six pieces would be left. The children have a good understanding of number to ten and can count to twenty.

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who attend

The childminder recognises the importance of children's physical development and exploits the opportunities that arise to encourage the younger children to develop their skills in walking. The children enjoy pushing the shopping trolley and persevere with this activity for an extended period of time. The childminder intervenes to offer praise and encouragement. This supports the development of self-confidence and encourages children to persevere when faced with a challenge.

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who attend

The childminder assesses the children's stage of development and learning by listening carefully and observing them playing and then adjusting the activities as required to enhance learning. The children are successfully functioning as expected for their age and are making good progress.

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

Children show that they feel settled and at home in the care of the childminder. They are fully involved in all aspects of the day; helping to prepare their lunch and independently accessing the toys and resources that they want to play with. Children actively approach the childminder to join with them in their play. They also enjoy close contact when sharing a favourite book while sitting together on the floor. The children feel safe in her care and behave well. The childminder encourages and praises the children and in this way she is helping to develop their self-esteem and confidence.

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

Children are encouraged to develop healthy lifestyles with regular walks and outdoor play in the garden and park. The indoor environment is safe and spacious and very young children can move around freely. This helps them to practise walking and standing. Children also learn the importance of basic personal hygiene and ensure their hands are clean before eating. The childminder promotes a healthy diet for the children by providing fruit and water throughout the day and a nutritious lunch.

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

The childminder's regular outings to the local toddler group, the library and a weekly music session help children to develop confidence and independence. This prepares them for times of transition as they move onto pre-school and school.

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provision

The childminder is confident in her knowledge of how children learn and gives appropriate priority to the prime and specific areas of learning. She provides a stimulating range of activities tailored to the interests and needs of each child. The areas used by the children are laid out in such a way as to allow the children to move around the premises freely and safely. A very good range of resources is available to the children and these are easily accessible and age appropriate.

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provision

Relationships with parents are positive. The childminder communicates on a daily basis with parents and regularly shares information about children's routines and care needs. However, systems for parents to share and contribute to their children's learning records are not fully in place. The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibility to work in partnership with other childcare providers and professionals to enhance learning opportunities. She has strong links with the staff at the local children's centre and pre- school and with other childminders.

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provision

The childminder has a very good understanding about safeguarding children and understands her role in protecting them. The children are carefully supervised. A range of policies and procedures are in place to promote the welfare and safety of children. The childminder carries out rigorous risk assessments in the areas that the children play and she takes appropriate steps to minimise hazards to children. The premises are safe and secure. The childminder has a first aid qualification and has been suitably vetted to work with young children.

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provision

The childminder is committed to providing a caring and stimulating environment for the children. Since the previous inspection she has made a number of improvements to the provision, including putting in place a rigorous approach to risk assessment and improving the organisation and access to toys and equipment. The childminder keeps her provision under review; she is self-critical and is clear about the strengths and areas for improvement in her setting. There is good capacity for further improvement.

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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 EY411848 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 875468 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 3 Number of children on roll 3

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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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