Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 05/03/2013 19/10/2009

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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 develop a very strong sense of belonging with the childminder through her sensitive interaction with them and her long term commitment to caring for them and their families.  The childminder builds excellent relationships with the parents, listening and acting on their knowledge of their children.  The childminder makes very good use of the local community facilities to help children develop good social skills.  The childminder introduces many valuable activities to help children to learn to keep themselves safe and healthy.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The childminder occasionally uses printed sheets and these limit children's opportunities to explore various materials to further inspire their learning.  The childminder occasionally uses printed sheets and these limit children's opportunities to explore various materials to further inspire their learning.

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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

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged 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 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  scheduled 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 and the interaction between the childminder and the children in the main downstairs room.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's individual profiles, and a selection of relevant policies and procedures.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector carried out discussions with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took into account the comments of a parent spoken to on the telephone on the day of the inspection.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2002 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and 15-year-old child in a house in Radlett, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor and the rear garden are used for childminding.

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Information about the setting

There are currently four children on roll, two in the early years age group and they attend for a variety of sessions. Two are school age children that attend before and after school. The childminder's daughter and husband occasionally act as assistants. 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. The childminder cares for children all year round Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm, except bank holidays and family holidays.

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

 extend the availability and frequency of learning in the outdoor environment to encourage children to use the resources so they can explore, solve problems, build, move and role play

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

 enhance teaching and learning experiences with regards to early mark-making by giving more emphasis to sensory experiences and by extending children's use of different materials.

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who attend

The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of how to promote the learning and development of children. She makes good use of the information from parents and her regular observations of children's progress. Plans for the next steps in their learning are closely linked to children's interest and helps them to acquire the skills and motivation to learn successfully. Children are encouraged to maintain their focus for an extended period of time with a play dough activity. The childminder introduces different tools and moulds to inspire the children's interest. She gently encourages them to push the plunger to make the 'wriggling worms' for themselves. Children enjoy experimenting with various textured materials when sticking shapes onto a card for Mother's Day. However, some of the drawing activities involve pre-drawn sheets which do not fully encourage children to express their ideas. The childminder encourages children to

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who attend

talk about past events and they remember the fun painting their hands at the messy play sessions and getting the paint on their noses. This helps children have some key skills needed for the next steps in their learning and, in time, be ready for school.

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who attend

The childminder effectively supports children in the acquisition of communication and language skills. She encourages young children in turn-taking 'conversation' during imaginative play. Young children enjoy singing 'Incy wincy spider' and the childminder uses a local scheme that gives them certificates when they can recite a well-known nursery rhyme or poem. Children relish this encouragement. Children develop their skills using their small muscles as they play with the trains and follow the tracks. They can turn off the battery-operated car using the very small switch. Children practise larger movements with frequent trips to the park and, in the better weather, the garden. However, the emphasis for outdoor learning is not as well developed in the routine. Therefore, the childminder does not fully enhance children's learning in problem solving or wholly support those who learn most effectively through activity and movement outside.

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who attend

The childminder works closely and effectively with parents. Parents complete an 'All about me' sheet to detail children's likes, dislikes and current stage of development. They share their knowledge and have regular two-way discussions with the childminder at a time that suits them. The childminder frequently sends photographs of the children at play to keep parents informed about their children's achievements and progress. This supports children's learning at home.

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

The childminder has a long term commitment to the care of the children and this enables them to feel secure, comfortable and 'at home' in her care. The childminder provides a happy and friendly atmosphere where children settle quickly and she works closely with parents to support children's care needs effectively. She has a good understanding of the importance of attachment as she has cared for the children since they were babies. Their older siblings often return expressing their fondness for the childminder. This helps children by providing a valuable opportunity to build trust and the ability to confide in the childminder. Children make friends, and, with the childminder, celebrate their birthdays and traditional festivals. They discuss the festivals of others as older children learn about them at school. This supports children to learn about similarities and differences between themselves and others.

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

Children behave well as their favourite toys are easily available and in generous amounts to help them share. The childminder appropriately praises their good manners ensuring children are eager to say please and thank you. She makes very good use of the local children's centre groups and toddler groups to help children demonstrate friendly behaviour and form good relationships with peers and familiar adults. Children visit the local school with the older children becoming familiar with the premises and routines. As a result, children are well prepared for the move onto nursery or school.

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

The childminder effectively promotes the good health of children. She uses meal times to give children valuable chances to talk about the benefits of healthy eating. She knows and respects their likes and dislikes and asks them to choose what they would like for lunch, gently steering them to the healthy option. The childminder encourages children to help tidy away the toys and to wash their hands before lunch. This helps children to develop their self-care skills and independence. Children use the challenging play equipment on the frequent visits to the park. This supports children to develop a strong awareness of safety and an appropriate sense of caution without being fearful.

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provision

The childminder meets her responsibilities in upholding the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage at all times. She has undertaken training in child protection to ensure her knowledge of the signs, symptoms and the reporting procedures are secure. The childminder has strong contingency plans in case of emergency. Her family occasionally act as assistants; they know the children well and are suitably informed of the childminder's methods of protecting children and meeting their needs. The childminder frequently meets with other childminders in the area to share ideas and to help children's friendships grow. Children feel secure in the care of these childminders, if they need to provide emergency care at any time. The childminder completes appropriate records for the efficient management of the early years provision. This includes suitable risk assessments for her home and while on outings. Therefore

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provision

Children attending within the early years age range do not currently attend other provisions. Although, the childminder has developed a strong relationship with local schools and can demonstrate an understanding of the benefits of working with other professionals and providers so that children's individual needs are met.

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provision

The childminder suitably reflects on her service to children and their families and has made good progress since the last inspection. Comments from parents are included in the childminder's assessment of her practice. Parents report how happy they are with the care and they receive plenty of information on the children's learning and development. The childminder and children have previously attended very successful cookery sessions that are held at the local children's centre to promote a healthy diet. She is looking to take the current children to the sessions when they are running next. The childminder has attended to the previous actions and recommendations made at the last inspection. She has improved the range of toys for older children. She has developed her understanding of observations and assessments of children at play and uses this knowledge to monitor plans for the next steps in children's learning. This ensures children are making progress

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provision

and any gaps in their learning are closing.

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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 action. 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 EY225337 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 877399 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: 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, which are usually the childminder’s 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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