Kidman, Maria

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 25/01/2013 23/04/2010

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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

 Children have fun learning and use their imagination well as they are given ample, good quality play opportunities and are fully supported as they recreate the adult world.  Children's interest is fully sustained because they have formed a special bond with the childminder who uses every opportunity to extend their learning and development.  The childminder evaluates her practice effectively to ensure that children consistently make good progress in their learning and development, and are happy and settled.  Children are developing a good understanding of how to stay safe, and of people who help in the community as they engage in role play.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The childminder has recently moved house and has chosen not not to use the garden as yet. This means that children have more limited opportunities to freely explore the natural environment and enjoy free and spontaneous access to the outdoors.

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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 room.  The inspector looked around the premises.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector had discussions with the childminder about her planning and assessment.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at a range of documents including children's personal records, their learning journals and a range of the childminder's policies and procedures.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 1993 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and their adult son aged 20 years in a house in Lemsford, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor for childminding, and there is supervised access to a garden. The childminder attends a toddler group and activities at the local children's centre. She visits the local shops and park on a regular basis. The childminder collects children from the local schools and pre-schools.

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Information about the setting

There are currently six children on roll, of whom, four are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder provides a facility for children of school- age and cares for two children who attend school. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday, except for family holidays. She 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 the use of the garden so that children have opportunities to investigate the natural world freely.

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who attend

Children achieve very well because of the childminder's up-to-date knowledge and understanding of how children learn. This enables her to plan a wide and well-balanced range of adult-led and child-initiated activities. Good observational skills and full involvement of parents assist the childminder in making accurate assessments, and planning for children's next steps to ensure they consistently continue to make good progress in their learning and development.

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who attend

The childminder interacts very well with children and uses every opportunity to build on what they already know. Young children are motivated to learn because the childminder engages children in age-appropriate activities. They enjoy playing with farm animals and the childminder enthusiastically suggests that they build a farm. They are excited and eager to do this. Children follow simple instructions as they bring a blanket to turn the table into a barn. They love playing with the shredded paper as the childminder says that they could use this as straw. Children move around the room enthusiastically looking for different animals and bringing them to her. They all laugh as they add animals to the farm and make animal noises. The childminder uses this opportunity to extend their knowledge in all areas. For example, she introduces mathematical concepts as they count the number of animals, and compare size and shape. The childminder consistently challenges them

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who attend

and they continue to make good progress in their learning. She does this by using questioning language, such as 'What?', 'Where?' and 'How?', at all times helping children to think and extend their own ideas. They learn to care for the environment as they sort waste materials and place them in the correct containers. Chilkdren have daily access to fresh air because the childminder makes good use of local parks and playgrounds to develop children's physical skills. However, the childminder has recently moved house and has not had time to make the garden safe to her satisfaction. Consequently, children's knowledge and understanding of the natural world is not yet fully promoted because they do not routinely have access to free choice outdoor activities in the garden.

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who attend

The childminder effectively shares information, both verbally and through the daily diary, with the local nursery, school and parents about the children's progress. This enables everyone involved in the children's learning and development to plan and make appropriate assessments so that children are fully supported. This means that they are very well prepared for their next stage in learning.

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

Children are very happy and settled due to the good relationship developed between them and the childminder. The childminder is a good role model and provides a calm caring environment where children feel valued and respected. This means that they want to learn and their interest in learning is fully sustained in everything they do. Children behave very well and are polite because the childminder consistently offers praise and encouragement. Children enjoy being cuddled as they look at their favourite book, and interact very well as the childminder talks to them about their home and family life. They are proud of their achievements as one child eagerly says that the collage picture of a face is for 'mummy'. The childminder puts it to one side, for the child to take home. Children enjoy making happy and sad faces as they look at a book of faces. Important information is effectively shared between the childminder and the parents to ensure that children's individual needs

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

are consistently met and that they have a routine which they are familiar with. This helps them feel secure and develop a strong sense of belonging.

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

Children are safeguarded because the childminder demonstrates a good knowledge of child protection. Their understanding of staying safe and of people who help in the community is fully fostered by the childminder. For example, as children listen to their favourite 'Builder' music, the childminder creates pretend scenes which require assistance. The children are asked to get help by dialling '999' because the pipe has burst and they need a fire engine. Emergency evacuation is regularly practised; this enables children to leave quickly should the need arise.

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

Children are becoming independent as they wash their hands before and after meals and use individual towels. They have regular exercise and fresh air as the childminder regularly takes children out for walks to the park and to the woods. The childminder has completed training in first aid to ensure that accidents are addressed promptly. She routinely checks the contents of her first aid box to ensure that she has the correct supplies to hand. Consequently, children stay healthy and safe. Children's dietary needs are shared with parents to ensure that their individual needs are fully met. They have fresh fruit and drinks for snacks and know that they have to sit at the table. The childminder sets clear boundaries to keep children safe. For example, she gives clear and simple explanations of the dangers of walking around with food.

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

Children are routinely taken on outings to the library, local toddler groups and the children's centre. They regularly visit the local nursery and school as the childminder takes and collects children from these settings. Therefore, children are becoming familiar in learning how to behave in different settings. This will enable them to settle with ease in nursery or school when the time arises.

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provision

The childminder is committed to her work and updates her knowledge and understanding in childcare so that she can continue promoting children's learning and development. She reviews her documents to ensure that they are in line with changes in legislation. These are effectively shared with parents. The childminder has attended training in child protection and has clear procedures in place to ensure that she knows what to do should the need arise. All adults in the house are suitably vetted to be around children. Good risk assessments and hygiene practices ensure that children continue to stay healthy and safe.

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provision

The childminder consistently evaluates her practice and identifies changes effectively. For example, she constantly reorganises the resources and their layout to ensure that they are accessible and suitable for all children, and promote their learning and development. Actions and recommendations from the previous inspections have been quickly implemented. For example, she now has a clear safeguarding policy and procedure in place, and shares this with parents to ensure that children continue to stay safe.

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provision

A well-established partnership with parents, nursery and school ensures that they all make a strong contribution to meeting children's needs. Children are fully supported in their learning and development by all those involved in their care.

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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 129237 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 817862 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6

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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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