Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15/01/2013 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

 Children who have recently come into the childminder's care are happy, settled and soon become focused on the activities available to them.  Children show high levels of independence as they select toys and games from a wide range of good quality resources around the home.  The childminder has a good understanding of the current learning and development requirements and guidance. She promotes the young children's developing skills through a broad range of well-planned experiences.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 Information gained through observations and assessments is not consistently shared with parents to support them in contributing to their children's developing skills at home.  The links with the other early years setting where the children attend are not strong enough to enable all early years practitioners to support children's learning in a consistent manner.

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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 children taking part in art activities in the kitchen and playing in the lounge.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to the childminder about the children's routines and looked at documents to support the children's learning and relating to the welfare requirements.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2012. She lives with her husband and child aged five years in Marshalswick on the outskirts of St Albans, Hertfordshire. A communal garden is available for outside play. Children do not generally access upstairs other than to use the family bathroom. The family have a cat.

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Information about the setting

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently two children on roll in the early years age group who are cared for on a part-time basis. The childminder operates Monday to Friday all year, except for family holidays. The childminder is able to collect children from local schools and she attends toddler groups and childminding support groups on a regular basis. 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:

 enhance further the communication with parents to enable them to be even more involved in their children's learning and development

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

 build on the links with early years settings to share in the children's progress and to support their learning in the childminder's home and in the group setting.

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who attend

The childminder has a range of experience in caring for young children. She has a good understanding of how children learn through play. She has established a thorough observation and assessment process based on the Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance. These records are used as the basis for the progress check in the second year. The observations show children are making good progress in all areas of learning. However, the information gained through the observations is not consistently shared with parents to enable them to contribute more effectively to their children's developing skills at home.

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who attend

Children are keen and focused learners. The childminder plans adult-led activities around the termly themes, such as 'the farm'. Children are given lots of support and encouraged to use small scissors to cut around printed templates of animal faces. They colour them in and, with help, use sticky tape and a straw to make a mask. They enjoy making noises and pretending to be animals. The childminder extends the young children's understanding by talking to them about what the animals sound like, how they move and the different colours on the chicken feathers. She uses an effective planning format to extend the children's experiences by introducing stories, songs and outings linked to the themes and children's interests.

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who attend

Children are highly focused and concentrate on selecting and manoeuvring small counters and pegs. They take turns, choosing their colours and positioning the counters to make patterns in grids and peg boards. They are well supported by the childminder, who asks them appropriate questions about the colours and shapes. She extends their critical thinking and counting skills according to the children's abilities and level of understanding. Children show great skill in using electronic toys. They understand how to use the different buttons and switches to change the sounds and lights on various battery run toys. Their technology skills are further extended as they use a set of buttons in a book to record and play back their own voices. The children laugh as they listen to their own words and phrases being repeated back to them. They take great delight in this unusual experience.

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who attend

Children of all ages have freedom to make independent choices about their play, and they are encouraged to choose for themselves from the low-level storage around the lounge. The childminder plans effectively to promote the children's developing skills in all seven areas of learning, which supports them to be ready for school.

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

Children have developed strong bonds with their carer. They show great interest as they look at their own 'learning journeys' and reflect on previous experiences they have taken part in. The childminder uses the information gained from parents at the start of the arrangements to ensure their personal care needs are met in full. Parents are kept fully informed about their children routines and activities through a detailed diary. Children are learning about good personal care through the daily routines. They understand the importance of washing their hands before snack and lunchtime to get rid of the germs. This is supported as they have their own towels which also prevents cross-infection. Older children can tell the childminder when they need to use the toilet, they do this independently with excellent verbal support as they go upstairs to the bathroom.

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

Children enjoy a healthy mid-morning fruit snack and sit up to the table for their lunch. They are learning good personal and social skills as they are reminded not to talk when they are eating. They wait for the other children to finish before they leave the table. The childminder has high expectations of the children; they respond well as they know what is expected of them as they receive gentle reminders from the childminder.

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

The children are beginning to take responsibility for their own safety in the home. They understand they must take care and not tread on the toys on the floor. They are quick to help with 'tidy up time' because they know they can chose new toys if they help. They know they must hold onto the rail as they come down the stairs and to step carefully as the older children repeat the phrase for the others.

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

Photographs in the children's 'learning journeys' show children take part in a wide range of activities and experiences. Visits to toddler sessions and music groups develops their self- esteem and confidence. This supports the skills they will need as they move onto new life experiences such as pre-school and school.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the revised Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. She uses the seven areas of learning to establish good early learning skills for all children. Children's safety is of high priority. The childminder has developed policies and procedures to enable her to maintain a safe environment. She uses the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance as a basis for her own safeguarding policy. An effective risk assessment is in place. It outlines the precautions and actions that ensure a safe and secure place for children to play in the home, garden and when out in the community.

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provision

The childminder has established good relationships with the families she cares for. New parents currently share their views through discussion and the daily diary. The childminder is involved in supporting children as they start at other early years settings. She is keen to establish stronger links to enable her to progress the children's learning experiences in her home. Links with other settings are not yet always effective so she is not able to fully support the children's continuity of learning.

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provision

The childminder has established a strong support network with other childminders, drop in groups and training offered by the early years team at the children's centre. She uses the internet to keep up-to-date with current practice and to find interesting activities for the children to take part in. She uses the Ofsted self-evaluation form to review her practice and identify priorities for improvements in both the service she provides for parents and outcomes for children.

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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 EY449807 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 811429 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 2

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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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