Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18/02/2013 09/01/2012

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: Not Met 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

 The childminder provides a warm and caring environment. Her sensitive planning ensures that children's transitions from home are smooth. As a result, they settle swiftly and form close, secure relationships.  Children have lots of opportunities to take part in exciting and interesting outdoor activities. This ensures that they get plenty of fresh air and exercise, effectively supporting their good health and well-being.  The childminder has completed training in child protection. This has helped her to develop a good understanding of how to protect children, ensuring they are kept safe in her care.  The childminder effectively plans a wide range of appropriate and interesting activities, which children enjoy. This successfully encourages their interest and participation. As a result all children make good progress in their learning and development.  Children's language development is supported particularly well by the childminder. This

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This provision is good

secures necessary skills for their future learning.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 Information given to parents about children's future learning does not consistently include details about how they can further support them at home.

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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 activities in the childminder's living room, and viewed the outdoor play area.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at a range of documentation including the childminder's policies and procedures, children's assessment records and planning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector held a wide range of discussions with the childminder and talked to minded children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents recorded in recent questionnaires returned to the childminder.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2002 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her partner and four children age 16, 12, seven and five years in a house in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and one first floor bedroom. There is also an enclosed rear garden used for outdoor play.

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Information about the setting

The childminder attends a local toddler group and activities at the local children's centre. She visits the shops and park on a regular basis. She collects children from local schools and pre-schools.

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Information about the setting

There are currently five children on roll, four are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder operates all year round from 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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

 develop information provided to parents about children's next steps to include specific information about how they can continue learning at home.

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who attend

The childminder demonstrates a high level of awareness regarding how young children learn through play and exploration. She undertakes effective observations and assessments of children, which are consistently reflected in planning. This ensures that learning is precise and tailored to support each child to meet their full potential. As a result, the educational programmes are appropriately challenging, stimulating and interesting, encouraging children's participation. The childminder uses a broad range of teaching methods, which promote development. This results in children making good progress towards the early learning goals. Parents have access to information about their child's achievements and next steps in learning. However, there is scope to improve this exchange, to ensure that parents are consistently provided with specific details about how they can continue learning at home.

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who attend

Children demonstrate a strong sense of security and belonging in the care of the childminder. She organises her home to ensure that they are able to safely make independent choices about what they would like to play with next. Communication is very well supported by the childminder who actively listens to what children have to say, allowing plenty of time for them to formulate their thinking. The childminder reinforces learning by consistently repeating correctly, words spoken by very young children. She successfully encourages participation as young children copy her actions, mimicking the sound an aeroplane makes. Children have lot of opportunities to take part in social interaction inside and outside of the home, for example, when visiting local toddler groups and at mealtimes. This contributes towards helping children to acquire skills which support school readiness. Very young children demonstrate their growing understanding of the

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who attend

world. They copy what they have observed adults do, such as using a telephone, demonstrating they are learning how everyday items are used. They mimic conversations and have fun experimenting with a variety of sounds they have heard. They seek to engage others in social interaction and offer their telephone, gesturing by using gaze and sounds. Children have lots of fun playing with and exploring a range of media. For example, they discover with delight that a battery operated toy make sounds if they press its buttons. Children are able to sit unsupported and demonstrate good balance, leaning forward to reach out for and pick up toys, which stimulate their interest. The childminder supports children's increasing mobility ensuring that there is clear space for them to crawl around and safely pull themselves to a standing position.

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who attend

Children's physical development and understanding of the world is stimulated and encouraged through regular access to outdoor play and learning. For example, they enjoy exciting visits to the woods, soft play facilities and weekly visits to a local farm. The childminder effectively encourages children to develop skills in self-care. At snack time more able children are encouraged to wash their own hands and help themselves to fresh fruit and breadsticks. Very young children anticipate hygiene routines by holding out their hands to be washed. They are encouraged and supported by the childminder to feed themselves, which they do successfully.

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

The childminder provides an extremely warm and caring environment, which supports children to develop strong bonds and attachments. For example, very young children confidently hold out their arms to the childminder for cuddles, demonstrating their sense of security. Older children form positive relationships with the childminder, which they demonstrate in their warm interactions with her during play. This shows that children feel a strong sense of belonging and are happy in an environment where they are well cared for. The childminder effectively supports children's transition from home. This is achieved by thorough discussions with parents prior to placement, providing important information about their individual needs. Ongoing communication with parents ensures that the children are always provided with care based on current information relating to their personal needs.

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

Children are provided with very clear and consistent boundaries, which helps them to learn what acceptable behaviour is. They relish praise and encouragement given by the childminder, which effectively promotes their self-esteem and confidence. Children have easy access to a wide range of colourful, safe and stimulating toys, which interest and engage them in learning.

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

The childminder successfully helps children to develop their understanding about the importance of exercise and a healthy diet. They enjoy going out into the fresh air every day and have fun taking part in physical play when they visit local soft play facilities. Children join in with the hand washing song, which teaches them that thorough washing means that their hands are germ free. The childminder offers healthy options at snack time, such as fresh strawberries and bananas, which children enthusiastically eat.

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provision

The childminder has completed training in child protection. As a result, she demonstrates a good understanding about how to safeguard children in her care. For example, she has identified and minimised risks to children in her home, garden and on trips out in the community. The childminder holds a current paediatric first aid qualification. This ensures that she is able to provide emergency treatment should an accident occur to any child in her care.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a very competent understanding of how to meet the learning and development requirements. She consistently and effectively monitors and evaluates children's learning, supporting their good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder uses a range of communication methods to ensure that parents are kept well informed, for example, individual contact books and discussion when children are either dropped off or collected. Parents report that they are very pleased with the service provided, the childminder has been very supportive and that their children are very happy. The childminder's attitude towards inclusion ensures that all children are supported to reach their full potential for learning and development. Partnership with other providers of care and education effectively contributes towards children's well-being and future transition.

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provision

The childminder undertakes thorough self-evaluation. She regularly seeks the opinions of those who use her service. For example, feedback from parents and children has provided her with valuable information about her performance. The childminder uses a reflective diary to identify and effectively target improvements in her practice. This ensures that the provision for children attending, is consistently enhanced.

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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 EY233786 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 774977 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 3 Number of children on roll 5

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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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