Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 28/01/2013 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 build secure attachments with the childminder. This ensures that they are settled and happy in his home.  The childminder ensures that resources are stimulating and easily accessible. Children are therefore offered a wide variety of play opportunities that engage them and promote their learning and development.  Children gain valuable communication and social skills. They are confident and enjoy joining in with discussions and extending their vocabulary.  Partnerships with parents, external agencies and other providers are well established and make a strong contribution to meeting children's needs.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The childminder provides limited opportunities for children to investigate the natural world with particular regard to observing and handling natural objects.

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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 open-plan playroom.  The inspector talked with the childminder and his co-childminder.

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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 met with one parent and took account of the views of other parents from information provided by the childminder.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2011 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. He lives with his wife and three children in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The childminder's wife is a registered childminder and the two work together as co-childminders. Both childminders share responsibility for the development of the setting. The whole of the ground floor of the home and one bedroom and a bathroom upstairs are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Information about the setting

The childminder attends toddler groups and activities at the local children's centre. He takes the children to the local park and to school.

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Information about the setting

There are currently 16 children on roll; eight 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. He 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:

 provide further opportunities for children to investigate the natural world through the use of a wider range of natural objects.

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who attend

The learning environment is very well organised and carefully planned to enable children to explore and play freely. Toys and equipment are of good quality and specifically tailored to the individual developmental needs of the children. Children's independence is successfully promoted as they are able to make choices about what they play with. The toys and equipment are easily accessible to the children; this means that they can build on their self-help and independence skills.

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who attend

Children are happy, enthusiastic and demonstrate a positive attitude to their play and learning. The children sit with the childminder at a table that is laid out with different colours of moulding material and plastic shapes. The children enjoy manipulating the material and play happily together. They use the shapes to alter the form of the material. The childminder ensures that the plastic toy animals and dinosaurs are readily available. The children use the animals to make footprints in the moulding material. The childminder encourages and praises the children. He plays with them and talks to them about what they are doing. The children gain valuable communication skills; they enjoy joining in with discussions and extending their vocabulary. They have good hand control and are able to manipulate the material successfully. Their behaviour is very good.

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who attend

The childminder makes sure that resources are appealing to children and so capture their interest, encouraging them to play and explore further. A large cardboard house had been decorated by the children to be the Gingerbread man's home. The children enjoy playing in the house. They role play in the house pretending to go to sleep. The children continue with their imaginative play for a sustained period of time. They engage in imaginative role play based on their own first-hand experiences. They use available resources to create props to support their role play. The children are operating within their expected age band for expressive arts.

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who attend

The children benefit from a wide range of stimulating activities including playing with cars, mark making and drawing, playing board games, counting objects, assembling puzzles, playing with a toy kitchen and choosing books. Consequently, the children are being helped to acquire the necessary skills and a positive disposition towards learning so that they are ready to benefit when starting school.

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who attend

The childminder and his co-childminder make regular observations and assessments of the children's progress. This information is used to plan next steps, and therefore, to meet children's learning and development needs. The areas of learning are mostly well planned for, but the childminder provides limited opportunities for children to investigate the natural world with particular regard to observing and handing natural objects. Parents are able to share information about their children with the childminder and they discuss children's progress when collecting their children.

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

The children are fond of the childminder and relationships between the childminder and children are warm and trusting. The childminder and his co-childminder have established effective partnerships with parents and this strong link makes an effective contribution to ensuring children's needs are met. The children feel safe and secure in the childminder's care; their behaviour is very good. Children are fully involved in all aspects of the day. They decide what they want to do and independently access the toys they need. They actively approach the childminder to join with them in their play. The childminder encourages and praises the children and in this way he 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 outdoor activities in the garden and park. Children also learn the importance of basic personal hygiene and ensure their hands are clean before eating. Children are helped to gain a suitable awareness of the importance of healthy lifestyle choices. For example, they understand why it is important to use their own towels when washing their hands. The childminder promotes a healthy diet for the children by providing a selection of fruit, brown toast and milk or water at snack time. The children enjoy sitting together for their snack and treat the time as a social occasion.

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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 groups and the children's centre 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 and his co-childminder are committed to providing high quality provision for the children in their care. They work well as a team together. All policies and procedures are jointly implemented. Children are encouraged to make choices and to be independent learners. Areas used by children are well organised and the layout of the downstairs of the home allows them to move around the premises freely and safely.

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provision

There is a clear understanding of the responsibility to work in partnership with other childcare providers and professionals to enhance learning opportunities. The childminder has strong links with staff at the local children's centre and the children attend a number of toddler groups. These links benefit children's learning by providing opportunities for the children to play with a wider group of children and experience different types of learning environments.

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provision

The childminder is constantly vigilant whilst working with children and effective risk assessments are in place to minimise hazards to children. A range of policies and procedures are in place to promote the welfare and safety of children. In the event of a child protection issue the childminder has the necessary information and telephone numbers to contact appropriate services. He 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. He keeps up-to-date with new requirements by obtaining the appropriate documentation and by attending training courses. The childminder keeps his provision under review and is clear about the strengths and areas for improvement. A recent example of improvement is the electronic recording of observations and assessments so that children's 'Learning Journeys' are now sent electronically to parents. Feedback from parents confirms that they are happy to receive information about their children's progress in this way. Parents recommend the setting to others and feel happy with the progress their children are making.

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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 EY432989 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 795821 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 16

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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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