Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 08/08/2013 15/02/2012

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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

 Assessment of children's developmental stage is accurate and records reflect children's personalities and characters well. This shows they are making progress towards the early learning goals.  Children are very motivated, active learners who make good progress in their learning from their individual starting points. This is because the childminder understands how children learn and uses her skills to teach with lots of hands-on practical activities.  The childminder has friendly and positive relationships with parents. This enables children to make secure attachments that support them in making good progress in their learning and development.  The childminder has an effective understanding of safeguarding children. She ensures that children's welfare is prioritised and hazards are minimised.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The use of information from parents about children's home learning is not fully integrated into planning children's next steps to ensure all possible aspects are thoroughly explored.  The monitoring of practice does not fully involve the views of children. Therefore, they do not consistently contribute to ongoing improvements of the setting.

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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 in the sitting room, garden and conducted a joint observation with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector and the childminder had conversations at appropriate times during the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at documentation related to the management of the setting, children's progress and self-evaluation.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through a short discussion.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2010 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and two years in a house in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor, one bedroom and bathroom on the first floor and the rear garden are used for childminding. The family has a dog and two cats.

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Information about the setting

The childminder visits the local children's centre. She goes to the shops and park on a regular basis. She collects children from the local school. There are currently three children on roll, one of whom is in the early years age group and attends for a variety of sessions. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for family holidays. She is a member of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.

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

 increase the use of information from parents about children's home learning when identifying and planning children's next steps

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

 improve the opportunities for children to contribute to plans to improve the setting.

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who attend

Children enjoy a good variety of activities that effectively support their learning and development. This is because the childminder has a secure knowledge of how children learn. She provides lots of first-hand experiences that children are eager to join in with and have a go. The childminder promotes children's language well by asking questions that require thought. She gives plenty of time for children to consider their responses and is consistently delighted by their ideas, thoughts and opinions. As a result, children develop a 'can do' attitude to tasks and are keen to take their ideas further. The childminder seizes opportunities for learning. For example, when playing at the creative activity children say 'blue and glue', the childminder says they are rhyming words 'just like you learnt at school' and asks if they can think of any more.

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who attend

Children love the hands-on approach. They relish the chance for a nature walk where they closely observe mini-beasts and their habitats. They collect leaves and wild flower, which after examining and identifying, make beautiful collages. This means children are learning about the natural environment and developing their knowledge of the needs of plants and small wildlife. Children use mathematical language in their play, counting reliably as they play a board game. They correctly identify shapes and size as they make models from the dough. Children are creative and love to use their imagination in a variety of role play games where they can involve others, showing their ability to cooperate and work together.

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who attend

The childminder regularly observes children in their play. She uses information to plan further worthwhile activities to support learning. Although, the childminder gathers plenty of valuable information from parents to establish children's starting points, she does not consistently use further information from children's home learning when identifying their next steps. Consequently, some aspects of learning are not always fully explored. However, the childminder's tracking of children's progress shows they are making good progress toward the early learning goals, gaining skills that support school readiness.

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

Children settle well and quickly form good relationships with others. This means they have a strong sense of security, which enables them to enjoy their time in the childminder's care. The childminder works well with parents to ensure children's care needs are met. They always discuss children's routines and welfare needs so they receive a consistent experience between home and childminder. This results in confident children who feel relaxed, at home and ready to learn. The childminder supports moves between settings well, she talks to children about school and they are excited about moving from nursery to the Reception class.

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

Children have great independence skills and the childminder continues to build these effectively by giving lots of opportunities for the children to do things for themselves. Consequently, children have the capacity to manage self-care, which is vital for their future in larger settings. Children are very sociable and show their understanding of how to behave, negotiate, sharing and taking turns. This is because the childminder role models well and communicates behavioural expectations effectively.

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

The childminder includes plenty of outdoor play in the garden and local area. Children are very active and the childminder ensures they all understand the connection between being active, eating healthily and being in good health. Involvement in growing fruits and vegetables mean children know where food comes from. They delight in recognising the ripe fruits, picking and eating them. The children have their drinks close by and the childminder makes sure they drink plenty in hot weather.

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

Children have a plentiful range of suitable resources, most of which are stored within easy reach. This means they can choose what they play with and can help plan with the childminder. Children show considerable knowledge about keeping themselves safe. By regularly practising the emergency evacuation procedure, talking about safety in the community, including both stranger danger and road safety children know what to do to protect themselves. The childminder also helps children develop an awareness of safety when using tools such as scissors. As a result, children handle them with skill and care, which considerably reduces the likelihood of accidents.

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provision

The childminder has a secure understanding of the requirements of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. She reviews her policies and procedures to ensure all of the welfare requirements are met. This means she actively promotes children's health, safety and well-being. The childminder has a very clear understanding of safeguarding children. She is confident about the steps to take if she has concerns about a child's well-being. The childminder completes thorough risk assessments, which means hazards are removed, ensuring the environment is safe giving children freedom to play.

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provision

The childminder reflects on her practice and gains feedback from parents. While she considers children's interests she has not explicitly sought out their views on how to improve the setting. Nevertheless, she has a clear overview of her practice and since her last inspection has taken a number of steps to improve the provision for children. In addition, to addressing the weaknesses identified the childminder has worked well to integrate older and younger children and has provided more resources to support children's visual learning. As a result, she demonstrates her capacity to maintain continuous improvements.

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provision

The childminder uses her knowledge of child development and the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage to track children's progress. She makes sure she knows what children are doing in school so that she can offer complementary activities at home to enhance children's learning. The childminder works well with parents to keep them informed about children's day to day experiences and their progress towards the early learning goals. Therefore, children have positive care and learning experiences, which establish a good base for their future.

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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 EY415780 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 904800 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 4 Number of children on roll 3

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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

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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