Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 30/09/2013 30/05/2012

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early years provision

This inspection: 3 Previous inspection: 2 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

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This provision is satisfactory

 Children benefit from the warm and caring relationships that clearly exist between them and the childminder.  There are suitable relationships with parents, who are clearly informed about their child's welfare, and this helps recognise the uniqueness of each child.  Children have good opportunities to make use of the local community services.  The childminder works suitably with the other professionals to ensure there is a two- way flow of information and appropriate continuity of care.

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It is not yet good because

 The childminder does not fully plan, skilfully question and monitor the effectiveness of children's learning, including at activity groups, to promote their next steps in learning, especially in their communication and language skills.  Children are not regularly accessing a stimulating outdoor environment with child- accessible resources that promote their learning and challenge on a larger, more active scale.  Children's independence skills are not fully encouraged, particularly at meal times.

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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 on the ground floor of the premises and talked with the children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector talked to the childminder and the co-minder at various times throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at a sample of children's records and a range of other documentation.  The inspector and the childminder undertook a joint observation.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector also took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day on the telephone.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2008 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband, who is also a registered childminder and a son in a house in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire and uses the whole of the house for childminding.

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Information about the setting

The childminder attends childminder groups and the local children's centre. She visits the local shops and park on a regular basis. She collects children from the local schools and pre-schools. There are currently five children on roll, of whom; two are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder cares for children all year round from 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday except for family holidays.

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must:

 regularly review the planning to ensure it is consistently building on children's existing talents and interests and takes account of the next steps in their learning.

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

 review the familiar routines and environment and consider how best to support children to develop their independence skills

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

 improve the spontaneous questioning of children during their attendance at activity groups to ensure it is fully matched to children's needs and extends their learning

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

 enhance opportunities for children to use the outside environment regularly to play physically and learn on a larger, more active scale.

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who attend

The childminder and co-childminder have a sound understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and implement it to meet the children's needs, overall. The childminder takes the lead in completing the planning and learning records. The childminder spends time observing what the children can do and assessing their progress. However, planning does not fully take account of children's interest and next steps; this means their progress is only satisfactory.

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who attend

Children enjoy their time in the childminder's home because they have plenty of toys available to explore. The childminder supports children to complete a range of appropriate jigsaws. She encourages children to persist and complete the puzzle, gently encouraging them to turn the piece around to see if it will fit and to match the numerals to fit in the clock puzzle. This helps children to be eager to learn and to be ready for the next stage of their learning and eventually for school.

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who attend

Children enjoy attending various activity groups. However, the childminder does not always make the most of the opportunities that arise through these groups to help the children make as much progress in their learning as they can. For example, although the children thoroughly enjoyed playing with the spray foam the childminder did not use any appropriate questioning to help explore and fully challenge children's thinking.

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who attend

The childminder repeats clearly the words children say and links the sounds of the animals with their names during activities. The childminder sits with the children close to her and encourages them to talk about the pictures of a book. She sings with the children the 'alphabet song' at the start of one of their favourite television programmes. However, gaps in children's speech and language development are not fully addressed within the delivery of the activities or the planning of the next steps. This means their progress is only satisfactory rather than good.

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who attend

Parents receive regular daily updates through the use of a daily diary, quick chats and weekly more detailed information over a cup of tea. The childminder gives some details on children's learning and development as well as their welfare as she sends home their learning journal every half term for parents to see. The childminder discusses children's favourite toys with the parents and this helps parents use them to continue children's learning at home.

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

Children are developing positive relationships with both childminders. They demonstrate they are comfortable in the childminders' home as they readily approach them for reassurance and support. The childminder finds out valuable information from parents about their children's individual daily care routines during settling-in periods so that she can support their emotional development effectively. The childminder adequately supports children to behave well. The childminder uses appropriate praise when children share the toys with each other. Children are beginning to feel confident in familiar surroundings when they attend the various toddler and music groups in the area. The childminder is available to give them reassurance so they can continue to explore in unfamiliar environments. Children visit the school to pick up the older children and become confident around the school premises. This helps children to be suitably prepared for their move

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

The childminder has some resources that reflect the differences in society and this helps children gain an appropriate awareness of the wider world in which they live. Children have good opportunities to enjoy a wide range of outings to explore their local community. They can exercise vigorously at the music group when they can run around in a large hall. Children experience the large slides and ball pools in the soft play area of a local farm and this helps them to take risks without being fearful. They climb confidently on the large play equipment and play imaginatively. They enjoy pretending to drive on the large wooden tractor. However, during the winter months the childminder's garden is not used and children play indoors on the days they do not visit a local group. Therefore, on those days, there are fewer opportunities for children to learn in the outdoor environment, which limits their progress.

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

Children are helped to understand the importance of adopting healthy habits and the importance of a healthy diet. They are offered nutritious meals and snacks. Children's requests are respected and acted on. For example, they are offered extra toast even though they have had their breakfast. They are reminded to stay seated while eating and can leave their snack to see what their friends are doing and then return to their snack later. However, their independence is not fully encouraged as they are not always given the opportunity to attempt to feed themselves at mealtimes. Children learn about good hygiene practice as the childminder wipes their hands before eating. Children help the childminder tidy away the toys and she explains that this helps them avoid any accidents.

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provision

The childminder has sufficient awareness of safeguarding children, including the reporting procedures to follow if there are concerns. In light of a recent incident, Ofsted visited and issued a notice to improve requiring the childminder to ensure the premises are fit for purpose and safe for children to use and to ensure that a health and safety policy is in place and implemented. A monitoring visit was carried out and all requirements were implemented. She maintains satisfactory risk assessments and daily checks to help keep children safe both indoors and on outings. The childminder is clear about minimising risks to children. Children frequently practice the emergency evacuation procedures and this helps children to be prepared to act appropriately in an urgent situation. Parents are frequently asked for their views on the setting. The childminder fully completed of the complaints log during the inspection so that the requirements of the Statutory Framework

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provision

for the Early Years Foundation Stage are fully met. Parents report that they are very happy with the childminder and co-childminder; the children love to come and often do not want to go home.

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provision

The childminder monitors the provision through regular discussions with the co- childminder about what is working well. The childminder has plans to improve the labelling of the toy boxes with pictures. The childminder has made satisfactory progress with the recommendations made at the last inspection. She is aware of children's interests and ensure she plans activities that interest them. For example, she ensures the interlocking bricks are available as these are a current favourite with the children. This helps them to enjoy their learning. She understands the requirement to complete a two year progress check and has completed and shared these with parents. However, the monitoring of the children's learning is not fully effective as some gaps in emerging speech are not fully addressed in the planning of future activities to help reduce the gaps in children's current achievements.

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provision

The childminder builds appropriate relationships with other professionals working with the children and their families. The childminder regularly takes the children to the child development clinic to get the children weighed. There is a two-way flow of information and partnership with the parents to aid children's development.

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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 EY370601 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 908775 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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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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