Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 05/09/2013 23/06/2009

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early years provision

This inspection: 1 Previous inspection: 1 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 1 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 1

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This provision is outstanding

 The childminder's practice with regard to protecting children from harm is exceptionally strong. This ensures that children are extremely well protected at all times.  Partnership with parents is outstanding. This is because the childminder makes sure that she actively promotes two-way communication with regard to all aspects of her service.  The childminder effectively promotes children's feelings of well-being and security. As a result, they orm extremely strong bonds with the childminder and flourish in her care  The childminder has an exceptional understanding about the educational needs of children in her care. As a result, children make outstanding progress in her care.  The childminder is a superb role model, who encourages children's positive behaviour. This results in children developing excellent levels of confidence and self-esteem and a strong desire to behave well.

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This provision is outstanding

 there is room to improve children's opportunities for free-flow play between the indoor and outdoor play area. This will further support children's individual learning styles.

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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 children taking part in activities in free-flow play in the childminder's home. She also undertook a joint observation with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked through a range of relevant documentation including the childminder's policies, procedures and children's development records.

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Inspection activities

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

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents from information provided by the childminder.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2005 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband, one adult child and two children age fourteen and nine years in a house in Hertford, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor, the first floor bathroom, one bedroom and the rear garden are used for childminding. The family has a pet dog.

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Information about the setting

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

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Information about the setting

The childminder has an appropriate level 3 qualification in childcare. She operates year round from 7.30amam until 6pm. There are currently two children on roll in the early years age group who attend for a variety of sessions.

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

 enhance children's opportunities to take part in free-flow play between the indoor and outdoor learning environments.

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who attend

The childminder demonstrates an exceptional understanding of the educational needs of children in her care. She makes sure that observations and assessments are robust by using appropriate guidance to accurately evaluate their progress towards the early learning goals. Parents are actively supported to share information about their child's achievements at home. The childminder uses this information very effectively to ensure that her plans for future learning build on what children already know and can do. She also ensures that parents are provided with specific information about how they can effectively support learning at home. The childminder has high aspirations for each child's accomplishments and provides them with a superb range of exciting resources and activities, which successfully stimulate their interest and participation in learning. As a result, children make outstanding progress, ensuring that they are extremely well

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who attend

prepared for their future move to nursery or school.

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who attend

Children are extremely well supported to become confident communicators. For example, the childminder uses intonation in her voice as she consistently models self-talk, describing her own and children's actions during play. This encourages young children to mimic what they hear, helping them to successfully learn new words such as 'hat'. Babies have fun as they experiment with sounds in order to gain the attention of the childminder, who extends this learning by her extremely positive response. Children of all ages become engaged in learning because the childminder supports them exceedingly well. Even very young children display positive characteristics of effective learners. For example, babies confidently crawl around exploring their environment and choosing their own way to do things. They show their pleasure when they achieve what they set out to do, such as reaching a colourful toy, which has captured their interest. They demonstrate great pride

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who attend

when the childminder acknowledges their achievement. Children have lots of fun as they explore a wide range of interesting battery operated toys, pressing buttons they discover with absolute delight what happens next. Babies enjoy exploring and investigating resources such as a role play cake. They develop physical skills and demonstrate their growing understanding of the world around them as they attempt to cut the cake, successfully mimicking what they have seen others do.

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who attend

Children have lots of opportunities to spend time in the fresh air taking part in vigorous play. For example, they learn how to manoeuvre wheeled toys and climb large play equipment in the childminder's garden, successfully promoting physical development. However, there is scope to improve children's opportunities for free-flow play between the indoor and outdoor learning environments. This further supports children's individual learning styles. The childminder organises lots of interesting trips outside of her home. Her innovative teaching methods support children to gain a first hand understanding about living things. This is because learning is brought to life. For example, children are able to see and touch real animals during visits to a petting farm. In addition, they are provided with excellent opportunities to develop social skills by mixing with their peers during visits to the local children's centre and toddler groups.

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

The childminder consistently places children at the centre of everything she does. For example, she takes time to hold through discussions with parents prior to their child's start date and during their placement with her. This ensures that she is completely aware of each child's personal needs and backgrounds. As a result, she is able to precisely tailor all care provided to fully meet the needs of each child. The childminder ensures that children are familiar with their new surroundings by arranging short visits with parents prior to their start date. This means that children are successfully enabled to form a relationship with her alongside their parents, which effectively promotes their feelings of well-being and security. Children form extremely strong bonds with the childminder and flourish in her care. For example, babies confidently seek her out for reassurance and cuddles during play and older children invite her to take part in their games.

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

The childminder consistently supports children's understanding about how to keep themselves and others safe. For instance, she holds age-appropriate discussions about safety during play. As a result, children respond extremely well as they learn, for example, that throwing toys might hurt the baby. Children's health is significantly well promoted. For example, the childminder maintains food hygiene training and has achieved a very good food hygiene rating from her local Environmental Health department. She uses an effective colour coding system for all personal items used by children. For example, children who are able to manage their own care needs know which colour towel or cup belongs to them. This successfully helps to protect them from the risk of cross infection. All food provided for children is prepared by the childminder and is healthy and nutritious. For example, children are encouraged to try seasonal fruits and vegetables, helping them

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

to develop a wider food base. Young children are actively encouraged to independently help themselves to water. This develops their self-help skills and ensures that they remain hydrated at all times, promoting good health. The childminder plans lots of interesting trips out of the home to encourage children to spend time in the fresh air. For example walks to local parks and a wide range of children's facilities.

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

The childminder is a superb role model, who encourages children's positive behaviour and provides them with lots of appropriate praise and encouragement. This means that children develop excellent levels of confidence and self-esteem and a strong desire to behave well. A wide range of positive resources and books strengthen children's understanding and respect for the diverse society in which they live.

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provision

The childminder's practice with regard to protecting children from harm is exceptionally strong. She has a wide range of robust policies and procedures for safeguarding children which are effectively maintained and implemented in practice. This ensures that the childminder is able to take prompt action should she become concerned about a child's welfare. All required checks have been completed to confirm that adults in the home are suitable to be in regular contact with the children. Scrupulous risk assessments are carried out to address any potential hazards to children. The childminder is extremely aware of children's safety and security at all times. For example, she makes excellent use of a monitor along with regular checks to ensure that sleeping children remain safe. The extensive range of documentation and records are exceptionally well organised and regularly maintained. This includes comprehensive records of fire evacuations undertaken.

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provision

Partnership with parents is outstanding because the childminder ensures that she maintains excellent two-way communication with regard to all aspects of the service she provides. Parents speak extremely highly of the childminder and the service she provides. They report that she is 'friendly, honest and upfront, thoroughly professional'. They also feel that she is 'knowledgeable and experienced within her field' and provides a 'safe stimulating environment'. Parents also comment that their child 'has developed a wide range of skills' and that the childminder has worked closely with them regarding their child's development. They report that 'communication has been truly excellent' and that the childminder has 'provided outstanding levels of care'. There are currently no children attending other settings providing care and education, although the childminder demonstrates an extremely clear understanding about importance and value of

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provision

partnership working to support children's well-being and learning. The childminder is very well qualified and shows a highly professional approach to her role. Since her last inspection, she has gained an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. In addition, she has targeted particular training courses with a view to supporting the specific needs of the children she cares for. Her persistent drive to gather new ideas and monitor her practice ensures that she consistently promotes the very best quality of provision for children. Self-evaluation is used extensively and because of this the childminder maintains a tremendous capacity to build on her already outstanding practice. Detailed analysis is used to devise action plans which inspire ambitious targets for improvement. In particular, there are clear plans in place to develop the garden area to enhance children's outdoor learning experiences.

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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 EY319415 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 849076 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 7

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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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