Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 14/03/2013 12/02/2009

p.1

early years provision

This inspection: 3 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 3 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 3

p.1

This provision is satisfactory

 The childminder provides a variety of resources and play experiences that help children to make suitable progress in their learning and development.  The childminder supports children to establish strong attachments with her, which promotes their sense of belonging and security. Consequently, the children are happy and settled in her care.  The childminder takes appropriate action to minimise potential hazards to children. As a result, children are cared for in a safe and secure environment.

p.1

It is not yet good because

 The childminder does not implement a fully effective observation and assessment process to offer further challenge and extend children's learning and development.  There is scope to extend the range of multicultural resources that reflect a range of cultures to promote children's understanding of the world.  Self-evaluation is in the early stages. Although areas for improvement are beginning to be identified, they have not been addressed.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector spent the majority of inspection time with the childminder observing her and the child she was caring for.  The inspector observed activities in the main play areas.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at a range of documentation relating to children and the setting.  The inspector spoke with the childminder at appropriate times during the inspection.

p.2

Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 1998. She is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and adult son in a house in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor and the rear garden are used for childminding. The childminder visits the shops and park on a regular basis. She collects children from the local schools and pre-schools.

p.3

Information about the setting

There are currently six children on roll, two of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. She operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays.

p.3

must:

 improve observation and assessment to understand children's level of achievement, interests and learning styles, and to then plan relevant learning experiences for each child reflecting those observations.

p.3

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

 extend the range of multicultural resources that reflect diversity to broaden children's knowledge and reflect an inclusive ethos

p.3

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

 develop the use of thorough self-evaluation to be more consistent in identifying weaknesses, in order to be effective in prioritising and planning for future improvements that support children's achievements.

p.3

who attend

The childminder offers a welcoming environment where children enjoy a range of activities which interest them and supports their learning. She takes account of their individual interests and needs by ensuring children are able to choose their favourite toys and activities. The childminder has a suitable understanding of how to promote children's learning and development. However, observations and assessments of what children can do are not consistent or used effectively to identify what they need to learn next. This prevents the childminder from planning activities and experiences that are specifically targeted at supporting children's individual learning needs. Consequently, although children make satisfactory progress in their learning, the educational programme is not secure enough to ensure any gaps in learning are effectively addressed. The childminder is familiar with the need for a progress check at age two and is developing ways to

p.3

who attend

Children's spoken language is developing because the childminder engages them in purposeful conversation throughout the day. She talks to them about what they are doing, questioning children effectively and giving time for them to respond. She follows their lead as they select books and she shares their interest in the story characters. This helps to establish children's interest in reading for pleasure and purpose. They make marks with coloured pencils and crayons as they draw squiggles on a picture, which promotes the development of later writing skills. There are opportunities for children to recognise colour, shape and patterns that occur during daily routines. For example, the childminder extends their mathematical understanding as she encourages them to count and name the different colours during play with dough.

p.4

who attend

The childminder provides a suitable range of interesting play experiences which ignite children's curiosity. As a result, children begin to explore and build confidence in their surroundings. Children use a range of resources to develop their role play. For example, they use utensils to 'make dinner for their baby' and show concern to wrap 'their baby' warmly as they prepare for an imaginary 'walk to the shops'. However, there is scope to extend the range of role play resources to more fully reflect diversity and disability. This helps children to learn about similarities and differences between themselves and others. Children enjoy regular outings around their local community, such as trips to the park and local shops. This helps to broaden their awareness of the world and to develop the skills they will need in their future learning.

p.4

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

Children enjoy a warm and close relationship with the childminder. As a result, they are confident, enjoy trying new experiences, and happily investigate their play. Children clearly enjoy her company and they confidently approach her for cuddles, support and reassurance. This genuinely warm responsive interaction raises children's confidence and contributes to their overall well-being. The childminder manages behaviour positively through using praise and encouragement and is consistent in her approach. She works with the parents to find out children's likes and dislikes before they start to help them to settle. She also finds out about their routines so that she can meet their individual needs. This enables the children to settle and develops their self-esteem and confidence.

p.4

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

Children are encouraged to develop healthy lifestyles because the childminder follows appropriate hygiene procedures and practices, which meet their physical, nutritional and healthcare needs. Children practise a range of physical skills and get fresh air when they go into the garden or visit the local park. Her guidance and support helps children to become independent in their personal care. For example, she assists children to wash their hands at appropriate times and talks to them about why they need to do so. They learn to develop healthy eating habits as they select nutritious snacks and drinks. The childminder helps children to understand the benefits of these foods because she talks to them about it. The childminder gives appropriate priority to children's safety and well-being. Her home is safe and secure as she undertakes daily checks and regular risk assessments. Children are kept safe as they practise regular fire drills. This allows the children to learn about

p.4

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

what to do in an event of an emergency. The childminder also teaches the children road safety and stranger danger. This enables them to learn how to keep themselves safe and have some emerging skills to underpin their eventual move to other early years settings.

p.5

provision

Partnerships with parents are sound. She communicates verbally with parents regarding children's welfare and experiences on a daily basis. Parental feedback is positive and reflects gratitude for the care the childminder provides. These strong partnerships with parents support children's individual needs well. The childminder is aware of the benefits of sharing information with other early years providers when the need arises. Consequently, she is developing ways to build links with others to ensure continuity of care. The childminder has a suitable knowledge and understanding of the learning requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She demonstrates commitment to further improve the quality of provision and her knowledge by accessing relevant training. She takes into account the views of children and their parents and uses this to reflect on the quality of her provision. However, systems for self-evaluation are in the early stages

p.5

provision

and are not fully effective in supporting ongoing improvements to the provision for children.

p.5

provision

The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She implements policies and procedures which underpin her service and help ensure the well-being of the children. The childminder shares these with parents so that they understand her responsibilities. She has a clear understanding of safeguarding issues and is aware of the procedures to follow if she was concerned about a child. The childminder understands how to report any concerns to the appropriate agencies. Children are protected in the event of an accident because the childminder has a current paediatric first aid certificate.

p.5

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

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.7

Setting details

Unique reference number 130221 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 876181 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6

p.7

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.

p.7

Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

p.7

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.

p.7

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.

p.7

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.

p.8

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,

p.8

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’.

p.9

Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.9