Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 05/02/2013 23/03/2011

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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

 Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care. They show great curiosity as they extend and develop their imaginative play ideas. Resources are readily available and suitable for the children being cared for.  Children are keen and active learners. The childminder compliments their learning experiences with the activities she provides in her home when they attend other early years settings.  The childminder has a good understanding of how to promote children's well-being. Effective personal care routines and home cooked meals ensure the children learn about a healthy lifestyle through every day activities.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 Planning is not consistently linked to the children's interests and individual needs.  There is scope for the views of parents to be used more effectively in the evaluation process to identify strengths and priorities for 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 children playing in the lounge.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's records and discussed policies and procedures with the childminder.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2007. She lives with her husband who works as her assistant and three children aged seven, 12 and 15 years in South Oxhey on the outskirts of Watford in Hertfordshire. The family home is within walking distance of local schools and shops. Children do not generally access upstairs other than to use the family bathroom. There is a secure garden for outside play. The family have a pet bearded dragon.

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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 is currently one child on roll in the early years age group who is cared for full time around attending another early years setting. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association, she operates all year round Monday to Friday except for family and bank holidays.

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

 ensure the planning is consistently based on the children's individual skills and interests to promote their learning more effectively

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

 ensure the views of parents are used more effectively in the evaluation process to identify areas for improvement.

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who attend

The childminder has a range of experiences in caring for children. She has a good understanding of how children learn through play. When children attend other early years settings she supports their learning by using the themes from nursery as a basis for their play and learning in her home. The 'Learning and Development' booklet outlines the aims of the Foundation Stage so parents are well informed about the children's progress and how to support their children's learning at home. There is a positive three-way process between the nursery, childminder and home that effectively supports children's progress and developing skills.

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who attend

Appropriate resources ensure children become absorbed in their play. Their imagination is fully extended by the childminder as she supports children to bring real life events into their play. Children become absorbed in playing cars. They have a very good selection of small cars set out on the floor. They use the storage crates as vehicles, pretending to drive and talking about where they are going. They demonstrate very good physical skills as they climb in and out of the crates and move them around the lounge and hall areas. The childminder gives the children pretend keys which opens up another thread of play as they use them to open doors and pretend to be 'Daddy'. The childminder's husband works alongside her as an assistant. This enable them to provide a flexible service around school collections and pick-ups. When he comes in to the home he soon becomes involved in the children's play. He introduces the children to the bearded dragon. He is very

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who attend

knowledgeable and encourages the children to become involved in its care. He explains about the hot desert in Australia where they live. Children are quite keen to stroke her and look at the different textures of the dragons skin, claws, tail and spikey face. This unusual experience develops the children's experiences of taking care of other creatures and a broader understanding of the wider world.

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who attend

Children's language is well supported by the childminder. They express themselves well and seek support when needed. The childminder encourages language development through good interaction and repeating words to help the children speak clearly. Regular use of the library extends the children's interests as they often choose reference books in subjects they are interested in. This enables them to develop their understanding of cultures and their world.

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who attend

The observations and assessments are based on the Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance. They are very effective in recording the children's achievements and show they are making good progress in all areas of learning. However, the planning for future activities is very broad and occasionally lacks the detail to ensure children's interests and levels of skill are consistently catered for. Children experience a varied range of play experiences which effectively cover the seven areas of learning. This ensures they are confident in moving onto new life experiences and supports them in being 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 the childminder and her family. The childminder knows the children well as they have been in her care for several years. A comprehensive 'All about me' booklet is completed by parents and a pictorial questionnaire for the children ensures she meets their individual needs to a good standard. The childminder supports children's social skills to a very good level and they may invite friends from nursery for play dates. This gives them opportunities to learn to share and take turns in a home setting. She supports children as they move onto new settings.

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

The childminder has a consistent approach to encouraging good behaviour. She asks children to think about what they are doing and uses certificates to recognise kind and thoughtful acts. Children know what is expected of them, with gentle reminders from the childminder to take care and not to run around the home. These experiences promote a strong sense of self-esteem and confidence which ensures children to feel safe and secure.

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

When children have English as an additional language the childminder finds out as much as she can about their culture and language. For example when she has cared for Chinese children, she had all the children's names written in Chinese script alongside the English letters. These were laminated and used to show how different languages work in everyday life. Supporting children's individual needs and family backgrounds is very important to the childminder.

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

Children learn about a healthy lifestyle through good every day routines. Children ask to use the bathroom and receive good support with reminders to wash their hands. The sample menu shows the childminder provides nutritious home-cooked meals every day. Children enjoy a fruit snack in the afternoon. Children learn about fruit and vegetables with growing projects in the garden.

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provision

The childminder is well organised and uses the documents she has in the portfolio effectively. These are shared with parents so they have a full copy of all the policies and procedures. She has a good understanding of how to protect children in her care. The childminder ensures her knowledge of safeguarding is up to date and she is aware of the procedures of the Local Safeguarding Children Board if she has concerns about a child. Effective risk assessments are in place, these are used to identify and minimise risk to children in the home and out in the community.

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provision

The childminder has established strong partnerships with parents. She has cared for some children over many years providing consistency for several families. Children's starting points, likes and interests are sought at the beginning of the arrangements with the 'All about me' process. She uses a diary and extensive discussion to share day-to-day information with parents which enables them to be part of their children's learning and progress. Texts, emails and photographs are also used to share the children's experiences with their family. The childminder has long-standing links with local early years settings. She has sought advice about the revised early years framework from the local nursery. This enables her to be confident in using the format in her observations and assessments at home. She works closely with the children's key workers to ensure their individual needs and learning are well supported in their home, with the childminder and in the

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provision

The childminder has established an evaluation process that identifies areas that are working well. Parents' views are sought through a questionnaire but the detail is not used in this process. The childminder continually reviews her practice and is aware of the support groups and training opportunities provided by the local authority and the children's centre.

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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 EY357931 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 820954 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 1

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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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