Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18/02/2013 22/03/2011

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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

 Young children are very content and happy in the childminder's care. Their independence and prime skills are promoted to a good level as the childminder provides consistent support and provides quality play opportunities for children of all ages. As a result, children make good progress in their learning.  Children feel secure and settled as the childminder complements their care at home in the everyday routines. She is very aware of their individual needs and meets these to a good standard.  The childminder has built good relationships with parents, she liaises closely to support children's well-being and learning. She is an experienced carer and has cared for some children for many years.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The childminder does not share information regularly with regard to children's progress, in order for parents to continue to support their children's learning at home.  There is scope to further develop the self-evaluation process by more effectively including parents' views in order to enhance continuous improvement.

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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 and settle to sleep.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at the children's records and talked to the childminder about her policies and general routines.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2003 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and child aged 12 years in West Watford, Hertfordshire. The whole of the property is used for childminding. Children do not generally access upstairs as there is a downstairs cloakroom. There is a secure garden for outside play and the childminder has no pets.

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Information about the setting

The childminder attends a toddler group and activities at the local children's centre. She visits the shops and park on a regular basis. She collects children from the local schools and pre-schools. There is currently one child on roll in the early years age group and children can attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder also provides care for children attending local schools during term time. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and 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:

 enhance further the partnership with parents to enable them to be fully involved in continuing their child's learning and development at home

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

 use the views of parents more effectively to fully evaluate the strengths and identify areas for improvement, to strengthen practice to help children reach the highest levels of achievement.

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who attend

The childminder has a range of experience in caring for children of all ages. She has only recently started to care for children in the early years age group again. Through discussion with parents and daily observations as the children come into her care the childminder has established the children's starting points. She uses the 'Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage' guidance to provide a broad educational programme. She has a good understanding of the prime and specific areas of learning and provides a range of interesting activities and experiences that are based on the ages and stages of development of the young children in her care.

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who attend

The observations in the children's 'learning journeys' are supported with photographs that show young children have many different play and learning opportunities in the home and out in the community. The 'learning journey' assessments are supported with notes for the next steps in their learning. These records are used as the basis for the progress check at age two. However, the information is not regular shared with parents to enable them to contribute more effectively to their children's developing skills at home.

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who attend

The childminder sets up age-appropriate toys in the lounge that she knows the children enjoy. They sit happily in the small ball pit. They develop good physical skills, as they stretch and reach for balls and handle them with great skill. They respond with a smile as the childminder chats and talks to them. She extends and supports their communication and language skills as she consistently interacts and reassures them as they play. Children are confident in moving around the home and selecting toys from the low-level storage boxes, such as imaginative play tea sets. They are beginning to explore and make independent choices about their own play. Children are making good progress in their development and have many opportunities that will enable them to move onto nursery and school with confidence.

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who attend

The childminder provides challenge for children with the resources and activities that she provides. She adapts and changes the toys as the children's skills develop and provides appropriate activities for the children she cares for after school.

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

Children form strong bonds with the childminder and members of her family. The childminder knows the children well as she finds out about the children's personal care needs through extensive discussions with parents. Children learn about a healthy lifestyle through every day routines. When parents provide meals for the younger children the childminder may supplement these with healthy snacks. The children cared for after school have a nutritious tea in line with parents' requests.

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

The young children's personal care routines are well managed, they feel secure as they are comforted on the childminder's lap as they go to sleep. They are happy when they wake up, they sing and chat while waiting for their lunch. They have many opportunities to learn about the importance of exercise. They practice their early walking skills and gain confidence as they are taken to the park and enjoy the space at the toddler groups to run and explore. Young children are beginning to learn about their own safety as the childminder provides a safe environment, she makes sure there is clear space for them to walk and move around the home. The childminder reminds children to take care as they get out of the ball pool and climb down from the chair.

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

The childminder has supported many children in the transition to other early years settings. She is a good role model, providing opportunities for children to learn to share and to take turns. For example young children are beginning to understand the simple rules that are in place to establish good personal and social skills, such as sharing and passing play cups and plates in their imaginative play. Through well planned activities and routines she ensures children have the experience to move on with confidence.

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provision

The childminder has been proactive in seeking information and updating her knowledge of the revised Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. She uses the 'Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage' guidance to monitor the children's progress and promote their early learning skills. Children's safety is of high priority. The childminder has consistently updated her knowledge of safeguarding through ongoing training throughout her registration. She bases her safeguarding policy on the Local Safeguarding Children Board information leaflets which are shared with parents. An effective risk assessment is in place. It outlines the precautions that are in place to ensure the safety in the areas of the home used for childminding as well as outings and the use of the car.

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provision

The childminder has a wealth of experience in caring for young children as she has provided consistent care for families over many years. She has established good relationships with parents and takes time to talk to them about their children's experiences. A diary is used to share detail of the children's activities, outings, meals and sleep routines. Parents are encouraged to share aspects from home, such as news on their weekends and family events. The childminder shares the children's daily experiences with their families using text and email with updates and photographs. She supports the children's developing skills and meets their needs to a good standard.

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provision

The childminder has made good links with the support services in the local community and the children's centre. She plays an important supporting role when children move onto new early years settings. She shares her observations with other early years professionals to support children's learning experiences in pre-school.

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provision

The childminder has used the Ofsted on line form to evaluate her practice and to look at future training opportunities. However, there is scope to further develop self-evaluation in order to ensure continued progress by more effectively using the views of parents to identify all strengths and areas for improvement. She has attended a wide range of training throughout the registration which enables her to provide good experiences for the children in her care and to extend and promote all areas of learning.

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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 EY245644 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 819692 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 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

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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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